The drive from Williamsburg, KY to Paducah, KY covers 302.5 miles and takes about 5h 47m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Cumberland Parkway, I 24, US 68 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.2 miles on Cumberland Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.29 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
151.2 miles from Williamsburg, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 47m. Total distance: 302.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 47m highway drive covering 302.5 miles, with most of the trip on Cumberland Parkway and I 24. The longest continuous stretch is about 86.2 miles on Cumberland Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 44 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 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 164.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 302.5 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 164.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 169.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
164.4 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, Scottsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 20A-B
Toward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, Scottsville
6
164.6 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 165: Owensboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 20B
Toward I 165: Owensboro
6
169.5 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Take the exit toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Green
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 5
Toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Gree...
8
244.4 mi into trip|~4h 40m in
Take the exit toward US 68, KY 80: Hopkinsville, Cadiz
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 65
Toward US 68, KY 80: Hopkinsville, Cadiz
6
293.6 mi into trip|~5h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 68: Paducah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 16
Toward US 68: Paducah
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 Paducah, KY, road signs point toward Bowling Green, Scottsville and Cadiz.
Bowling Green
55.5 mi in|~1h 5m
Scottsville
164.4 mi in|~3h 4m
Cadiz
244.4 mi in|~4h 40m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cumberland Parkway
86.2 mi
1h 32m
I 24
48.5 mi
52m
US 68
27.3 mi
32m
US Route 27
26.2 mi
29m
I 65
21.4 mi
22m
KY 92
17.4 mi
20m
Bowling Green Road
12.4 mi
14m
Hopkinsville Road
11.6 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
Cumberland Parkway
— 86.2 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williamsburg, KY and Paducah, 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 1BToward I 65 South: Bowling Green
10
Continue on Cumberland Expressway
0.7 mi·1 min·Cumberland Expressway
11
Merge onto I 65
21 mi·22 min·I 65
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 20A-BToward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, ScottsvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·50 sec
Exit 20BToward I 165: Owensboro
14
Merge onto I 165
4.3 mi·4 min·I 165
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 5Toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Green
16
Turn left onto US 68; KY 80
8.2 mi·9 min·Russellville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 68; KY 80
12 mi·13 min·Bowling Green Road
18
Continue on US 68; KY 80
3.2 mi·3 min·East Jefferson Davis Highway
19
Continue on US 68; KY 80
0.6 mi·51 sec·Bowling Green Road
20
Continue on US 68 Business
0.1 mi·12 sec·Franklin Street
21
Continue on US 68 Business
0.2 mi·19 sec·Franklin Road
22
Continue on US 68 Business
373 ft·6 sec·Franklin Street
23
Continue on US 68 Business
0.6 mi·54 sec·East 4th Street
24
Turn right onto US 68 Business; KY 3519
129 ft·5 sec·North Main Street
25
Turn left onto US 68 Business; KY 3519
227 ft·5 sec·West 4th Street
26
Continue on US 68 Business
0.3 mi·23 sec·West 4th Street
27
Continue on US 68 Business
7.9 mi·9 min·Hopkinsville Road
28
Continue on US 68; KY 80
26 mi·31 min·US 68; KY 80
29
Turn right onto US 41; KY 109
0.9 mi·1 min·East 9th Street
30
Continue on US 68; KY 80; KY 109
1.3 mi·2 min·West 7th Street
31
Keep slight left at fork onto US 68; KY 80
9.2 mi·11 min·Cadiz Road
32
Continue on US 68; KY 80
3.6 mi·4 min·Hopkinsville Road
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 65Toward US 68, KY 80: Hopkinsville, Cadiz
34
Merge onto I 24
39 mi·42 min·I 24
35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
9.1 mi·9 min·I 24
36
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 16Toward US 68: Paducah
37
Keep slight right at fork
131 ft·3 sec
Exit 16Toward US 68: Paducah
38
Turn right onto US 68
0.9 mi·1 min·US 68
39
At end of road, turn left onto US 62
2.5 mi·3 min·Kentucky Dam Road
40
Continue on US 60; US 62
2.0 mi·3 min·Clarks River Road
41
Turn right onto US 60 Business; I 24 Business
1.7 mi·2 min·Wayne Sullivan Drive
42
Continue on US 60 Business; I 24 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·South 3rd Street
43
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Washington Street
44
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 151.2 miles from Williamsburg, KY, or about 2h 50m 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 67 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.2 miles or 2h 50m 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 45m
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 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 302.5 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 151.2 mi from Williamsburg, KY
· 2h 50m into the drive
The midpoint is around 151.2 miles from Williamsburg, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Cumberland Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.2 miles.
Arriving in Paducah, KY
The final approach into Paducah, 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 Paducah, KY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument
National Monument
The US won a significant victory early in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Explore the rolling fields of Kentucky where the battle took place and learn about that state's strategic importa...
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 146
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.29 one way
$94.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$51.93
$103.85
premium
$4.89
$58.21
$116.43
diesel
$5.61
$66.79
$133.58
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: 105.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.8
1
$31.76
$14.52
Efficient EV
75.6
0
$26.47
$12.10
EV Truck/SUV
121
1
$42.35
$19.36
Gas CO2
106 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
Williamsburg, KY
Morning
in Williamsburg on Friday
Local time
7:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paducah, KY
Morning
in Paducah on Friday
Local time
6:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Glasgow, KY
151 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
6 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 47m 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 Paducah, KY covers 302.5 miles and takes about 5h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cumberland Parkway, I 24, US 68. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 151.2 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 $47.29 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 23 significant decision points across 302.5 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 164.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 169.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Williamsburg, KY and Paducah, KY, road signs point toward Bowling Green, Scottsville and Cadiz.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
