How far is Bowling Green, KY from Paintsville, KY?
The driving distance from Bowling Green, KY to Paintsville, KY is about 259.4 miles (417.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 207.5 miles (334 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 57m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Kentucky, US
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bowling Green and Paintsville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bowling Green and Paintsville.
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1
Start on the route
98 m · 29 sec
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2
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
2228 ft · 1 min · Chestnut Street
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3
Turn right onto East 7th Avenue
761 ft · 13 sec · East 7th Avenue
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4
Continue on Fairview Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Fairview Avenue
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5
Continue on Cemetery Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Cemetery Road
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6
Take the ramp left
1569 ft · 38 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Interstate Highway 65
17 mi · 18 min · Interstate Highway 65
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Somerset, Glasgow
2467 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Cumberland Parkway
85.6 mi · 1 hr 32 min · Cumberland Parkway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward KY 914: Somerset, Burnside
1523 ft · 32 sec
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11
Continue straight
2045 ft · 34 sec
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12
Turn left
135.9 mi · 2 hr 38 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Water Gap Road
101 m · 12 sec · Water Gap Road
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14
Take the exit left
1084 ft · 30 sec
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15
Merge slight left
11.4 mi · 13 min
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16
Turn right
1.3 km · 1 min
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17
Turn right
1161 ft · 22 sec
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18
At the end of the road, turn right
2.7 mi · 4 min
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19
Turn right
1566 ft · 37 sec
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20
Turn left onto 2nd Street
108 m · 21 sec · 2nd Street
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21
Turn left onto Court Street
42 m · 6 sec · Court Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Court Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bowling Green and Paintsville.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn left
136 mi · 02h 38m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Bowling Green and Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny near Paintsville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bowling Green to Paintsville?
The road trip is about 259.4 miles (417.4 km) and usually takes 04h 57m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Livingston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 129.5 miles from Bowling Green and 129.8 miles from Paintsville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 207.5 miles (334 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.50 one way or $69.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Bowling Green and Paintsville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bowling Green and Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny near Paintsville.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bowling Green and Paintsville. Straight-line distance: 207.54 mi (334.01 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 Paintsville
City in Kentucky
| Population | 3,925 |
| Coordinates | 37.8145400, -82.8071100 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
End: Paintsville (-82.80711, 37.81454)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 417 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.50 | $69.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.91 | $77.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.58 | $85.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $48.53 | $97.06 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.