How far is Hardinsburg, KY from Covington, KY?
The driving distance from Hardinsburg, KY to Covington, KY is about 165.1 miles (265.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.8 miles (223.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 51m.
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.
City in Oldham County, Kentucky, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hardinsburg and Covington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hardinsburg and Covington.
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1
Start on 3rd Street
2417 ft · 48 sec · 3rd Street
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2
Continue on State Highway N259
1.6 mi · 3 min · State Highway N259
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3
Turn left
1.9 mi · 2 min
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4
Continue straight
51.2 mi · 1 hr 5 min
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 264: Watterson Expressway
819 ft · 13 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
2600 ft · 40 sec
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7
Continue on Henry Watterson Expressway
14.7 mi · 20 min · Henry Watterson Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 71 North: Cincinnati
1877 ft · 32 sec
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9
Merge slight left
71 mi · 1 hr 17 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati
18 mi · 22 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward 12th Street, Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Pike Street, Covington
1673 ft · 41 sec
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12
Continue on Simon Kenton Way
153 m · 19 sec · Simon Kenton Way
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13
Turn right onto West Pike Street
3055 ft · 2 min · West Pike Street
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14
Continue on West 7th Street
1102 ft · 35 sec · West 7th Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 7th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hardinsburg and Covington.
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 North
Merge slight left
71 mi · 01h 17m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Hardinsburg and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Covington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hardinsburg to Covington?
The road trip is about 165.1 miles (265.7 km) and usually takes 02h 51m 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?
Orchard Grass Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.5 miles from Hardinsburg and 84.6 miles from Covington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.8 miles (223.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.3 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.95 one way or $43.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Hardinsburg and Covington, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Hardinsburg and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Covington.
Stop Ideas Near Orchard Grass Hills
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 Orchard Grass Hills.
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hardinsburg and Covington. Straight-line distance: 138.83 mi (223.42 km).
#1 Hardinsburg
County seat of Breckinridge County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 2,345 |
| Coordinates | 37.7800600, -86.4605300 |
| Altitude | 216 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Covington
The county seat of Kenton County, Kentucky.
| Population | 40,314 |
| Coordinates | 39.0836700, -84.5085500 |
| Altitude | 155 |
| Country | United States |
End: East 7th Street (-84.50851, 39.083683)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 266 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.95 | $43.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.75 | $49.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.09 | $54.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.87 | $61.74 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.