How far is Covington, KY from Whitesburg, KY?
The driving distance from Covington, KY to Whitesburg, KY is about 220.8 miles (355.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 17m 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 04h 08m.
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 Powell County, Kentucky, United States of America
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 Whitesburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Covington and Whitesburg.
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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
3.2 mi · 4 min · Park Road
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13
Continue on KY 15
26.7 mi · 30 min · KY 15
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14
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 2 min
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15
Turn right
29.5 mi · 34 min
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16
Turn right
1.4 km · 1 min
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17
Turn right onto Main Street
1309 ft · 28 sec · Main Street
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18
Continue on Main Street
866 ft · 20 sec · Main Street
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19
Turn right onto North Webb Avenue
13 m · 1 sec · North Webb Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Webb Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Covington and Whitesburg.
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 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 Whitesburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Covington to Whitesburg?
The road trip is about 220.8 miles (355.3 km) and usually takes 04h 08m 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?
Clay City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 110.4 miles from Covington and 110.4 miles from Whitesburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.1 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 8:42 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.38 one way or $58.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Covington and Sunny near Whitesburg.
Stop Ideas Near Clay City
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 Clay City.
Maysville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Covington and Whitesburg. Straight-line distance: 163.69 mi (263.44 km).
#1 Covington
The county seat of Kenton County, Kentucky.
| Population | 40,314 |
| Coordinates | 39.0836700, -84.5085500 |
| Altitude | 155 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Whitesburg
City in Letcher County, Kentucky, United States of America
| Population | 1,813 |
| Coordinates | 37.1184300, -82.8268300 |
| Altitude | 357 |
| Country | United States |
End: Whitesburg (-82.82683, 37.11843)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 355 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.38 | $58.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.13 | $66.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.25 | $72.51 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.32 | $82.64 |
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.