Origin
Williamsburg, KY
Late night in Williamsburg on Thursday
Local time
3:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Williamsburg, KY to Henderson, KY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h
Distance
264.5 mi
426 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 47m
★
6 AM
5h 1m
8 AM
5h 28m
10 AM
5h 10m
12 PM
5h 7m
3 PM
5h 11m
5 PM
5h 26m
8 PM
4h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Williamsburg, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Henderson, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 264.5-mile drive from Williamsburg to Henderson, Kentucky, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours. With 93% of the route on main roads, it's an efficient way to travel across the state. The estimated fuel cost is around $41, making it an economical option for a day trip, though you'll want to plan for one stop along the way. This drive stays within the Southeast region of Kentucky, offering a consistent feel throughout. It's a practical choice if you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss.
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
132.3 miles from Williamsburg, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 5-hour drive, with 93% of the miles covered on main roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Cumberland Parkway, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 86.2 miles. The route transitions to I-165 and US Route 27, maintaining a focus on efficient travel. While primarily highway, the shift between these main arteries offers a slight change in scenery and road feel without deviating from the direct path. It’s a drive built for covering distance.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cumberland Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 86.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Cumberland Parkway and I 165. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 55.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 264.5 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 55.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 230.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 237.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
55.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Bowling Green
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Bowling Green
7
230.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 60 West, US 231 South: Henderson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 70B
Toward US 60 West, US 231 South: Henderson
5
237.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 28m in
Take the exit toward Audubon Parkway West: Henderson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 10
Toward Audubon Parkway West: Henderson
5
261.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 54m in
Take the exit toward US 41 North: Henderson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 1A
Toward US 41 North: Henderson
6
262.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m in
Take the exit toward KY 351: Zion, Henderson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 14
Toward KY 351: Zion, Henderson
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Williamsburg, KY and Henderson, KY, road signs point toward Bowling Green and Audubon Parkway West: Henderson.
Bowling Green
55.5 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Audubon Parkway West: Henderson
237.4 mi in
|
~4h 28m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland Parkway | 86.2 mi | 1h 32m |
| I 165 | 62.3 mi | 1h 6m |
| US Route 27 | 26.2 mi | 29m |
| Audubon Parkway | 23.2 mi | 24m |
| KY 92 | 17.4 mi | 20m |
| I 65 | 16.5 mi | 17m |
| Wendell Ford Expressway | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| KY 914 | 6 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Cumberland Parkway
— 86.2 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williamsburg, KY and Henderson, KY.
1
Start on North 2nd Street
137 ft
·
10 sec
·
North 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto KY 296
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto KY 92
17 mi
·
20 min
·
KY 92
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 27; KY 92
26 mi
·
29 min
·
US Route 27
5
Continue on US 27; KY 90
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
6
Turn left onto KY 914
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
KY 914
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward Bowling Green
8
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
86 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
Cumberland Parkway
9
Continue on Cumberland Parkway
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
Cumberland Parkway
Exit 1B
Toward I 65 South: Bowling Green
10
Continue on Cumberland Expressway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Cumberland Expressway
11
Merge onto I 65
17 mi
·
17 min
·
I 65
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward KY 234: Bowling Green
13
Turn right onto KY 234
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Cemetery Road
14
Continue on KY 234
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairview Avenue
15
Continue on KY 234
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Avenue
16
Continue on US 68; KY 80
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Veterans Memorial Lane
17
Turn right onto US 231
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Morgantown Road
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
19
Merge onto I 165
62 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 165
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 70B
Toward US 60 West, US 231 South: Henderson
21
Merge onto US 60; US 231
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Wendell Ford Expressway
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 10
Toward Audubon Parkway West: Henderson
23
Continue on Audubon Parkway
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Audubon Parkway
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1A
Toward US 41 North: Henderson
25
Merge onto I 69; US41
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 69; US41
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 14
Toward KY 351: Zion, Henderson
27
Turn slight right onto KY 351
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
2nd Street
28
Turn left onto US 60; US 41 Alt
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
North Green Street
29
Turn left onto Washington Street
213 ft
·
10 sec
·
Washington Street
30
Turn left
98 ft
·
7 sec
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 264.5-mile trip, starting early in the morning will give you ample daylight and allow you to reach Henderson without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage your breaks, perhaps planning it around the 86.2-mile stretch on the Cumberland Parkway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading out, as the estimated cost is $41 and you want to avoid unnecessary detours for gas. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best.
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 132.3 miles from Williamsburg, KY, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.2 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 58 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.3 miles or 2h 29m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Henderson, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg, KY
This is one driving day of about 264.5 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Williamsburg, 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 Cumberland Parkway for about 86.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 132.3 mi from Williamsburg, KY · 2h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 132.3 miles from Williamsburg, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Cumberland Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.2 miles.
Arriving in Henderson, KY
The final approach into Henderson, 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 Henderson, 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
$41.35 one way
$82.70 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $45.40 | $90.80 |
| premium | $4.89 | $50.90 | $101.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.40 | $116.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.4 | 0 | $27.77 | $12.70 |
| Efficient EV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.14 | $10.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.8 | 1 | $37.03 | $16.93 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Henderson, KY
Late night in Henderson on Thursday
Local time
2:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Glasgow, KY
132 mi in
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
23 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 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 Williamsburg, KY to Henderson, KY covers 264.5 miles and takes about 5h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cumberland Parkway, I 165, US Route 27. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 132.3 miles from Williamsburg, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.35 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 20 significant decision points across 264.5 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 55.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 230.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 237.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Between Williamsburg, KY and Henderson, KY, road signs point toward Bowling Green and Audubon Parkway West: Henderson.
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