The drive from Union, KY to Paducah, KY covers 299 miles and takes about 5h 36m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Western Kentucky Parkway, I 71, I 69 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 98.9 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.75 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
149.5 miles from Union, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 299 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 36m highway drive covering 299 miles, with most of the trip on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 71. The longest continuous stretch is about 98.9 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Western Kentucky Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 98.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 77 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 299 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 77 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
77 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 264 West: Watterson Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 5
Toward I 264 West: Watterson Expressway
8
87.5 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis
9
87.7 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, In...
8
127.5 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 91C-A
Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Wes...
8
127.7 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 91C-B
Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union, KY and Paducah, KY, road signs point toward Indianapolis, Louisville, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
Indianapolis
87.5 mi in|~1h 42m
Louisville
87.7 mi in|~1h 42m
Western Kentucky Parkway West
127.7 mi in|~2h 27m
Elizabethtown
128 mi in|~2h 28m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
98.9 mi
1h 46m
I 71
66.5 mi
1h 11m
I 69
53.6 mi
57m
I 65
38.7 mi
42m
Henry Watterson Expressway
10 mi
13m
I 24
9.1 mi
9m
US 42
7.8 mi
11m
Kentucky Dam Road
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98.9 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union, KY and Paducah, KY.
1
Start on Union School Road
148 ft·12 sec·Union School Road
2
Turn left onto Old Union Road
361 ft·9 sec·Old Union Road
3
Enter roundabout onto KY 536
195 ft·4 sec·Mount Zion Road
4
Continue on KY 536
0.2 mi·26 sec·Mount Zion Road
5
Turn right onto US 42; US 127
0.2 mi·13 sec·US 42; US 127
6
Continue on US 42; US 127
7.7 mi·10 min·US 42; US 127
7
Turn left onto KY 14
2.1 mi·3 min·Verona-Mudlick Road
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
9
Merge onto I 71
66 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 5Toward I 264 West: Watterson ExpresswayUse the slight left lane.
11
Continue on I 264
10.0 mi·13 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 12Toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, IndianapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, IndianapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 South: Nashville
15
Merge onto I 65
39 mi·42 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 91C-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 91C-BToward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
19
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
20
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
0.8 mi·54 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 38A
21
Merge onto I 69
37 mi·40 min·I 69
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
16 mi·17 min·I 69
Exit 68BToward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
9.1 mi·9 min·I 24
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 16Toward US 68: Paducah
25
Keep slight right at fork
131 ft·3 sec
Exit 16Toward US 68: Paducah
26
Turn right onto US 68
0.9 mi·1 min·US 68
27
At end of road, turn left onto US 62
2.5 mi·3 min·Kentucky Dam Road
28
Continue on US 60; US 62
2.0 mi·3 min·Clarks River Road
29
Turn right onto US 60 Business; I 24 Business
1.7 mi·2 min·Wayne Sullivan Drive
30
Continue on US 60 Business; I 24 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·South 3rd Street
31
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Washington Street
32
Arrive at destination
Washington Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 149.5 miles from Union, KY, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 66 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.5 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paducah, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Union, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Union, KY
This is one driving day of about 299 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Union, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Western Kentucky Parkway for about 98.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 149.5 mi from Union, KY
· 2h 51m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
National Historical Park
For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. His early life on Kentucky's frontier shaped...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 123.7
Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, e...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 154.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.75 one way
$93.49 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$51.32
$102.65
premium
$4.89
$57.54
$115.08
diesel
$5.61
$66.02
$132.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.7
1
$31.40
$14.35
Efficient EV
74.8
0
$26.16
$11.96
EV Truck/SUV
119.6
1
$41.86
$19.14
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Union, KY
Evening
in Union on Friday
Local time
7:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paducah, KY
Evening
in Paducah on Friday
Local time
6:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 36m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Union, KY to Paducah, KY covers 299 miles and takes about 5h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Western Kentucky Parkway, I 71, I 69. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 149.5 miles from Union, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.75 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 299 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 77 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Union, KY and Paducah, KY, road signs point toward Indianapolis, Louisville, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
