How far is Covington, KY from Jackson, KY?
The driving distance from Covington, KY to Jackson, KY is about 158.9 miles (255.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122.1 miles (196.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 02h 58m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The most populous city in Kentucky and the center of the Lexington-Fayette metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Covington and Jackson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Covington and Jackson.
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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
78.9 mi · 1 hr 26 min
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
16.6 mi · 19 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Mountain Parkway
42.6 mi · 46 min · Mountain Parkway
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9
Take the exit slight right
1.2 mi · 2 min
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10
Continue on KY 15
159 m · 7 sec · KY 15
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11
Merge slight left
17.1 mi · 20 min
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto Park Road
2859 ft · 43 sec · Park Road
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13
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
786 ft · 19 sec · Washington Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Main Street
1029 ft · 26 sec · Main Street
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15
Turn left onto Brown Street
76 m · 7 sec · Brown Street
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16
Turn right onto College Avenue
21 m · 7 sec · College Avenue
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17
Turn left onto Hurst Lane
14 m · 2 sec · Hurst Lane
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hurst Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Covington and Jackson.
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
78.9 mi · 01h 26m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Covington and Rain Showers Likely near Jackson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Covington to Jackson?
The road trip is about 158.9 miles (255.8 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?
Lexington-Fayette is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.5 miles from Covington and 79.5 miles from Jackson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122.1 miles (196.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.8 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.16 one way or $42.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Covington and Rain Showers Likely near Jackson.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington-Fayette
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-Fayette.
Maysville
Louisville, Kentucky
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
Cincinnati, OH
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Covington and Jackson. Straight-line distance: 122.07 mi (196.46 km).
#1 Covington
The county seat of Kenton County, Kentucky.
| Population | 40,314 |
| Coordinates | 39.0836700, -84.5085500 |
| Altitude | 155 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Jackson
City in Breathitt County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 1,917 |
| Coordinates | 37.5531500, -83.3835100 |
| Altitude | 236 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jackson (-83.38351, 37.55315)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 256 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.16 | $42.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.86 | $47.72 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.11 | $52.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.76 | $59.51 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.