How far is Bowling Green, KY from Central City, KY?
The driving distance from Bowling Green, KY to Central City, KY is about 58.2 miles (93.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 08m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
County seat in Kentucky
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bowling Green and Central City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bowling Green and Central City.
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1
Start on the route
98 m · 25 sec
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2
Turn right onto Chestnut Street
1084 ft · 47 sec · Chestnut Street
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3
Turn right onto East 13th Avenue
146 m · 27 sec · East 13th Avenue
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4
Turn left onto State Street
1109 ft · 36 sec · State Street
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5
Turn right onto College Heights Boulevard
2507 ft · 1 min · College Heights Boulevard
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6
Continue on College Heights Boulevard
692 ft · 21 sec · College Heights Boulevard
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7
Continue on Old Morgantown Road
1 mi · 2 min · Old Morgantown Road
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8
Turn right onto Morgantown Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Morgantown Road
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9
Take the ramp right
1376 ft · 34 sec
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10
Merge slight left
33.6 mi · 36 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Paducah
1732 ft · 49 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Western Kentucky Parkway
19 mi · 20 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 431, KY 70: Central City, Drakesboro
1267 ft · 43 sec
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14
Turn left onto South 2nd Street
1.6 km · 1 min · South 2nd Street
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15
Turn right onto East Broad Street
23 m · 3 sec · East Broad Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Broad Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bowling Green and Central City.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Morgantown Road
Merge slight left
33.6 mi · 00h 36m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Bowling Green and Sunny near Central City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bowling Green to Central City?
The road trip is about 58.2 miles (93.7 km) and usually takes 01h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Morgantown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.1 miles from Bowling Green and 29.1 miles from Central City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.9 miles (69.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.77 one way or $15.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bowling Green and Sunny near Central City.
Stop Ideas Near Morgantown
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Morgantown.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bowling Green and Central City. Straight-line distance: 42.91 mi (69.06 km).
#1 Bowling Green
The most populous city in Warren County, Kentucky.
| Population | 70,631 |
| Coordinates | 36.9903200, -86.4436000 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Central City
City in Nebraska, United States
| Population | 5,730 |
| Coordinates | 37.2939300, -87.1233300 |
| Altitude | 133 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central City (-87.12333, 37.29393)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 94 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.77 | $15.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.76 | $17.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.59 | $19.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.93 | $21.85 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Kentucky · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.