Origin
Versailles, KY
Evening in Versailles on Sunday
Local time
7:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Versailles, KY to Owensboro, KY
Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
165.2 mi
266 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Versailles, KY
Denitsa Kireva
Owensboro, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Versailles to Owensboro, expect a straightforward journey covering 165.2 miles. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 3 hours and 4 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Budgeting approximately $25 for fuel should cover your needs for this one-way trip. Since the drive stays entirely within the Southeast region of Kentucky, the transition between these two points is seamless and familiar. Because of the manageable duration, you won't need to stress about overnight accommodations, giving you plenty of flexibility for your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
82.6 miles from Versailles, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 95% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a sequence of roads including the Bluegrass Parkway, the Western Kentucky Parkway, and I-165. Be prepared for a steady pace, as your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on with 67.6 miles along the Bluegrass Parkway. The transition between these parkways and the interstate creates a consistent experience behind the wheel. Expect a predictable, efficient flow that prioritizes speed and directness over technical or winding local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Bluegrass Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 67.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Bluegrass Parkway and Western Kentucky Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 72 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 165.2 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 72 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
72 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m 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
72.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m 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...
6
72.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
5
131.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 165 North: Owensboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 77A
Toward I 165 North: Owensboro
7
160.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 60 East, US 231 North: Hawesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 70A
Toward US 60 East, US 231 North: Hawesville
Towns Along This Route
Between Versailles, KY and Owensboro, KY, road signs point toward Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
Paducah
72 mi in
|
~1h 19m
Western Kentucky Parkway West
72.2 mi in
|
~1h 20m
Elizabethtown
72.4 mi in
|
~1h 20m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegrass Parkway | 67.6 mi | 1h 12m |
| Western Kentucky Parkway | 59.1 mi | 1h 3m |
| I 165 | 28.2 mi | 30m |
| East Parrish Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| I 65 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| East 5th Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Wendell Ford Expressway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Bluegrass Parkway
— 67.6 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Versailles, KY and Owensboro, KY.
1
Start on US 60 Business
123 ft
·
9 sec
·
Lexington Street
2
Turn left onto US 62
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
3
Continue on KY 33
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Troy Pike
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
5
Merge onto Bluegrass Parkway
68 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
Bluegrass Parkway
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
7
Merge onto I 65
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 65
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 91C-A
Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 91C-B
Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
11
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
59 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
Western Kentucky Parkway
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 77A
Toward I 165 North: Owensboro
13
Merge onto I 165
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 165
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 70A
Toward US 60 East, US 231 North: Hawesville
15
Merge onto US 60; US 231
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Wendell Ford Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 18
Toward KY 54
17
Turn left onto KY 54
260 ft
·
6 sec
·
Leitchfield Road
18
Continue on KY 54
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Parrish Avenue
19
Turn right onto Leitchfield Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Leitchfield Road
20
Turn left onto East 5th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East 5th Street
21
Turn right onto Frederica Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Frederica Street
22
Arrive at destination
Frederica Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour journey, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the drive is relatively short, you have the advantage of departing whenever it best suits your personal itinerary without worrying about a grueling multi-day trek. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long stretches on the parkways to ensure you don't run low between exits. Given the total distance of 165.2 miles, a mid-point break will help you stay alert and comfortable throughout the trip. Balancing your drive time with a quick rest stop will ensure you arrive in Owensboro feeling ready for your destination.
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 82.6 miles from Versailles, KY, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.6 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.6 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Owensboro, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Versailles, 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 Versailles, KY
This is one driving day of about 165.2 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Versailles, 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 Bluegrass Parkway for about 67.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.6 mi from Versailles, KY · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.6 miles from Versailles, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Bluegrass Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.6 miles.
Arriving in Owensboro, KY
The final approach into Owensboro, KY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Owensboro, KY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.09 one way
$50.18 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $27.66 | $55.32 |
| premium | $4.80 | $31.19 | $62.37 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $36.70 | $73.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.6 | 0 | $17.35 | $7.93 |
| Efficient EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.45 | $6.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.13 | $10.57 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Owensboro, KY
Evening in Owensboro on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
20 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
3h 4m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Versailles, KY to Owensboro, KY covers 165.2 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Bluegrass Parkway, Western Kentucky Parkway, I 165. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.6 miles from Versailles, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.09 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 165.2 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 72 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Versailles, KY and Owensboro, KY, road signs point toward Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West and Elizabethtown.
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