How far is Elizabethtown, KY from Central City, KY?
The driving distance from Elizabethtown, KY to Central City, KY is about 81 miles (130.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 74.6 miles (120.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 57m 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 01h 28m.
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.
Human settlement in Grayson County, Kentucky, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elizabethtown and Central City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethtown and Central City.
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1
Start on North Mulberry Street
2532 ft · 48 sec · North Mulberry Street
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2
Turn left
28 m · 3 sec
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3
Turn slight right onto South Mulberry Street
927 ft · 16 sec · South Mulberry Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right
1082 ft · 29 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Elizabethtown Bypass
2948 ft · 38 sec · Elizabethtown Bypass
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Leitchfield, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
2156 ft · 52 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Western Kentucky Parkway
77.9 mi · 1 hr 24 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 431, KY 70: Central City, Drakesboro
1267 ft · 43 sec
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9
Turn left onto South 2nd Street
1.6 km · 1 min · South 2nd Street
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10
Turn right onto East Broad Street
23 m · 3 sec · East Broad Street
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Broad Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elizabethtown and Central City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Western Kentucky Parkway
Merge slight left onto Western Kentucky Parkway
77.9 mi · 01h 24m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Elizabethtown and Mostly Sunny near Central City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elizabethtown to Central City?
The road trip is about 81 miles (130.3 km) and usually takes 01h 28m 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?
Caneyville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.4 miles from Elizabethtown and 40.5 miles from Central City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 74.6 miles (120.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.4 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 3:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.79 one way or $21.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.4 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Elizabethtown and Central City, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elizabethtown and Mostly Sunny near Central City.
Stop Ideas Near Caneyville
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 Caneyville.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elizabethtown and Central City. Straight-line distance: 74.61 mi (120.07 km).
#1 Elizabethtown
County seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 30,331 |
| Coordinates | 37.6939500, -85.8591300 |
| Altitude | 221 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Central City
City in Nebraska, United States
| Population | 5,730 |
| Coordinates | 37.2939300, -87.1233300 |
| Altitude | 133 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central City (-87.12333, 37.29393)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 130 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.79 | $21.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.16 | $24.33 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $13.31 | $26.62 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $15.17 | $30.34 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.