How far is Covington, KY from Hardinsburg, KY?
The driving distance from Covington, KY to Hardinsburg, KY is about 159.3 miles (256.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.8 miles (223.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 31m 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 15m.
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 Arkansas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Covington and Hardinsburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Covington and Hardinsburg.
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1
Start on East 7th Street
4 m · 5 sec · East 7th Street
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2
Turn right onto Scott Boulevard
2125 ft · 1 min · Scott Boulevard
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3
Turn right onto East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
1.1 km · 2 min · East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
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4
Continue on West 12th Street
62 m · 13 sec · West 12th Street
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5
Take the ramp left toward I 71 South, I 75 South
1766 ft · 43 sec
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6
Merge slight left
17.3 mi · 20 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 71 South: Louisville
76.8 mi · 1 hr 25 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 West: Saint Louis
2994 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
1.5 mi · 2 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward 9th Street, Roy Wilkins Avenue
2296 ft · 56 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on 9th Street
112 m · 11 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Roy Wilkins Avenue
2883 ft · 55 sec · Roy Wilkins Avenue
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13
Continue on South 9th Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South 9th Street
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14
Continue on South 7th Street
1.5 km · 2 min · South 7th Street
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15
Continue on 7th Street Road
2 mi · 4 min · 7th Street Road
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16
Continue on 7th Street Road
3128 ft · 1 min · 7th Street Road
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17
Turn slight left onto Dixie Highway
22.6 mi · 33 min · Dixie Highway
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18
Turn right
31.3 mi · 36 min
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19
Turn right onto State Highway N259
1.6 mi · 3 min · State Highway N259
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20
Continue on East 3rd Street
2417 ft · 48 sec · East 3rd Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Covington and Hardinsburg.
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
Take the exit slight right toward I 71 South: Louisville
76.8 mi · 01h 25m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Covington and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Hardinsburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Covington to Hardinsburg?
The road trip is about 159.3 miles (256.3 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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?
Buckner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.6 miles from Covington and 79.7 miles from Hardinsburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.8 miles (223.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.5 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 10:28 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.19 one way or $42.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Covington and Hardinsburg, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Covington and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Hardinsburg.
Stop Ideas Near Buckner
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 Buckner.
Louisville, Kentucky
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
Cincinnati, OH
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Covington and Hardinsburg. Straight-line distance: 138.83 mi (223.42 km).
#1 Covington
The county seat of Kenton County, Kentucky.
| Population | 40,314 |
| Coordinates | 39.0836700, -84.5085500 |
| Altitude | 155 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Hardinsburg
County seat of Breckinridge County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 2,345 |
| Coordinates | 37.7800600, -86.4605300 |
| Altitude | 216 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hardinsburg (-86.46053, 37.78006)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 256 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.19 | $42.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.90 | $47.80 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.16 | $52.31 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.81 | $59.62 |
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.