How far is Elizabethtown, KY from Paducah, KY?
The driving distance from Elizabethtown, KY to Paducah, KY is about 171.9 miles (276.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156.3 miles (251.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m 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 36m.
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.
County seat in Kentucky
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elizabethtown and Paducah.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethtown and Paducah.
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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
97.5 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
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8
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Western Kentucky Parkway
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9
Merge slight left
37.4 mi · 40 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
16.2 mi · 18 min
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11
Keep slight right
9.1 mi · 10 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 68: Paducah
1898 ft · 46 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on US 68: Paducah
40 m · 4 sec
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14
Turn right
1.5 km · 1 min
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15
At the end of the road, turn left onto Kentucky Dam Road
2.5 mi · 3 min · Kentucky Dam Road
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16
Continue on Clarks River Road
2 mi · 3 min · Clarks River Road
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17
Turn right onto Wayne Sullivan Drive
1.7 mi · 3 min · Wayne Sullivan Drive
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18
Continue on South 3rd Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South 3rd Street
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19
Turn left onto Washington Street
1471 ft · 1 min · Washington Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elizabethtown and Paducah.
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
97.5 mi · 01h 45m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Elizabethtown and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Paducah.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elizabethtown to Paducah?
The road trip is about 171.9 miles (276.7 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?
Morehead is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.9 miles from Elizabethtown and 86.1 miles from Paducah.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156.3 miles (251.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.89 one way or $45.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Elizabethtown and Paducah, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Elizabethtown and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Paducah.
Stop Ideas Near Morehead
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 Morehead.
Madisonville, KY
Clarksville, TN
Evansville, IN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elizabethtown and Paducah. Straight-line distance: 156.26 mi (251.48 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 Paducah
City in McCracken County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 24,883 |
| Coordinates | 37.0833900, -88.6000500 |
| Altitude | 104 |
| Country | United States |
End: Washington Street (-88.600033, 37.083363)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.89 | $45.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.82 | $51.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.25 | $56.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.20 | $64.39 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.