How far is Covington, KY from Stearns, KY?
The driving distance from Covington, KY to Stearns, KY is about 188.5 miles (303.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 164.8 miles (265.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 05m 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 32m.
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.
Arlington is a city in Madison County, Kentucky
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Covington and Stearns.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Covington and Stearns.
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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
128 mi · 2 hr 19 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
1643 ft · 28 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
100 m · 6 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Richmond Street
1 km · 49 sec · Richmond Street
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10
Turn straight onto Cumberland Lake Parkway
18 mi · 21 min · Cumberland Lake Parkway
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11
Merge slight right onto Hal Rogers Parkway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Hal Rogers Parkway
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12
Turn left
1 mi · 1 min
-
13
Continue straight
3.3 mi · 4 min
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14
Turn left
3.8 mi · 4 min
-
15
Continue straight
1219 ft · 16 sec
-
16
Take the exit slight right
1797 ft · 49 sec
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17
Merge slight left
24.2 mi · 28 min
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18
Turn right onto Wilburn Ross Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Wilburn Ross Highway
-
19
Turn right
795 ft · 21 sec
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20
Continue straight
27 m · 12 sec
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21
Turn left
25 m · 6 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Covington and Stearns.
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
128 mi · 02h 19m
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.
Sunny leaving Covington and Sunny near Stearns.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Covington to Stearns?
The road trip is about 188.5 miles (303.4 km) and usually takes 03h 32m 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?
Arlington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.3 miles from Covington and 94.1 miles from Stearns.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 164.8 miles (265.2 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 9:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.08 one way or $50.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Covington and Sunny near Stearns.
Stop Ideas Near Arlington
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 Arlington.
Maysville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Covington and Stearns. Straight-line distance: 164.78 mi (265.18 km).
#1 Covington
The county seat of Kenton County, Kentucky.
| Population | 40,314 |
| Coordinates | 39.0836700, -84.5085500 |
| Altitude | 155 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Stearns
Census designated place in Kentucky, United States
| Population | 1,416 |
| Coordinates | 36.6989700, -84.4774400 |
| Altitude | 408 |
| Country | United States |
End: Stearns (-84.47744, 36.69897)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 303 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.08 | $50.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.28 | $56.56 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.95 | $61.90 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.27 | $70.54 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.