How far is Covington, KY from Barbourville, KY?
The driving distance from Covington, KY to Barbourville, KY is about 180.6 miles (290.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156.9 miles (252.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 03h 22m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The second most populous city in Kentucky.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Covington and Barbourville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Covington and Barbourville.
-
1
Start on East 7th Street
4 m · 5 sec · East 7th Street
-
2
Turn right onto Scott Boulevard
2125 ft · 1 min · Scott Boulevard
-
3
Turn right onto East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
1.1 km · 2 min · East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
-
4
Continue on West 12th Street
62 m · 13 sec · West 12th Street
-
5
Take the ramp left toward I 71 South, I 75 South
1766 ft · 43 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
161.1 mi · 2 hr 54 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
1752 ft · 38 sec
-
8
Turn left onto Corbin Bypass
2 mi · 3 min · Corbin Bypass
-
9
Continue on Cumberland Gap Parkway
14.1 mi · 18 min · Cumberland Gap Parkway
-
10
Turn right onto Manchester Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Manchester Street
-
11
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street
1793 ft · 37 sec · North Main Street
-
12
Enter the roundabout toward Court Square
50 m · 3 sec · Court Square
-
13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Court Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Covington and Barbourville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 71 South
Merge slight left
161 mi · 02h 54m
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 Covington and Mostly Clear near Barbourville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Covington to Barbourville?
The road trip is about 180.6 miles (290.6 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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?
Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.3 miles from Covington and 90.2 miles from Barbourville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156.9 miles (252.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.7 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:14 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.02 one way or $48.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Covington and Mostly Clear near Barbourville.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington
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 Lexington.
Maysville
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Covington and Barbourville. Straight-line distance: 156.87 mi (252.45 km).
#1 Covington
The county seat of Kenton County, Kentucky.
| Population | 40,314 |
| Coordinates | 39.0836700, -84.5085500 |
| Altitude | 155 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Barbourville
City in Knox County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 2,974 |
| Coordinates | 36.8664800, -83.8888100 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
End: Barbourville (-83.88881, 36.86648)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.02 | $48.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.09 | $54.18 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.65 | $59.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.79 | $67.57 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.