How far is Covington, KY from Russell Springs, KY?
The driving distance from Covington, KY to Russell Springs, KY is about 163.2 miles (262.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 143.6 miles (231.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 35m 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 17m.
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 Rockcastle County, Kentucky
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Covington and Russell Springs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Covington and Russell Springs.
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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
74.9 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward KY 922: Airport, Lexington
1442 ft · 38 sec
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8
Turn right onto Newtown Pike
3.3 mi · 5 min · Newtown Pike
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9
Continue on Oliver Lewis Way
1.4 km · 1 min · Oliver Lewis Way
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10
Continue on Bolivar Street
877 ft · 24 sec · Bolivar Street
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11
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Upper Street
1195 ft · 31 sec · South Upper Street
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12
Turn straight onto South Limestone
1.3 km · 2 min · South Limestone
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13
Continue on Nicholasville Road
4.7 mi · 8 min · Nicholasville Road
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14
Continue on Lexington Road
4.5 mi · 5 min · Lexington Road
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15
Turn left onto North Main Street
3.8 mi · 6 min · North Main Street
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16
Turn left onto Nicholasville Bypass
6 mi · 7 min · Nicholasville Bypass
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17
Continue on Lexington Road
6.4 mi · 7 min · Lexington Road
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18
Turn right onto Chenault Bridge Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Chenault Bridge Road
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19
Continue on Lexington Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Lexington Road
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20
Continue on Lexington Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Lexington Road
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21
Continue on East Lexington Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · East Lexington Avenue
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22
Turn left onto Wilderness Road
1377 ft · 27 sec · Wilderness Road
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23
Turn right onto West Main Street
2160 ft · 48 sec · West Main Street
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24
Turn left onto South 4th Street
1 mi · 2 min · South 4th Street
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25
Continue on Hustonville Road
46.3 mi · 53 min · Hustonville Road
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26
Turn right onto Steve Warriner Drive
1051 ft · 18 sec · Steve Warriner Drive
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27
Continue on Steve Wariner Drive
2105 ft · 36 sec · Steve Wariner Drive
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28
Turn left onto Main Street
1 km · 1 min · Main Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Covington and Russell Springs.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
I 71 South
Merge slight left
74.9 mi · 01h 22m
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 Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Russell Springs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Covington to Russell Springs?
The road trip is about 163.2 miles (262.6 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?
Mount Vernon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.6 miles from Covington and 81.5 miles from Russell Springs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 143.6 miles (231.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.6 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 10:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.72 one way or $43.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Covington and Russell Springs, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Covington and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Russell Springs.
Stop Ideas Near Mount Vernon
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 Mount Vernon.
Maysville
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Covington and Russell Springs. Straight-line distance: 143.59 mi (231.09 km).
#1 Covington
The county seat of Kenton County, Kentucky.
| Population | 40,314 |
| Coordinates | 39.0836700, -84.5085500 |
| Altitude | 155 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Russell Springs
City in Kentucky
| Population | 2,649 |
| Coordinates | 37.0561800, -85.0885700 |
| Altitude | 331 |
| Country | United States |
End: Russell Springs (-85.08857, 37.05618)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 263 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.72 | $43.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.50 | $48.99 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.81 | $53.61 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.55 | $61.10 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.