How far is Hardinsburg, KY from Owensboro, KY?

Fastest route

The distance from Hardinsburg, Kentucky to Owensboro, Kentucky is approximately 45.1 miles (72.6 kilometers). The estimated travel time is 59 minutes. The suggested route is via KY-261 S and KY-54 W.

Directions

  1. Head west on 3rd St toward S Main St for 105 ft.
  2. Turn left at the 1st cross street onto KY-261 S/S Main St.
  3. Continue to follow KY-261 S for 18.8 miles (30.3 kilometers).
  4. Turn right onto KY-54 W and continue for 23.5 miles (37.8 kilometers).
  5. Continue straight onto Leitchfield Rd for 440 ft (134 meters).
  6. Continue onto E Parrish Ave for 1.3 miles (2.1 kilometers).
  7. Follow Leitchfield Rd and E 5th St to Allen St:
    • Turn right onto Leitchfield Rd and drive for 0.7 miles (1.1 kilometers).
    • Turn left onto E 5th St and drive for 0.7 miles (1.1 kilometers).
    • Turn right onto Allen St.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Plan your trip in advance to ensure a smooth journey.
  • ⛽️ Check your vehicle's fuel level and consider refueling before starting the trip.
  • 🚧 Be aware of potential road construction or detours along the route.
  • 🚦 Observe traffic signs and follow the speed limits for a safe drive.
  • 📱 Use a navigation app or GPS device for real-time directions and traffic updates.
  • 🍽️ If you plan to stop for meals or snacks, look for convenient restaurants or rest areas along the way.
  • 🚻 Take breaks during the journey to stretch your legs and rest if needed.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
46.85 mi
00h 54m
Flight
35.65 mi
57.38 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hardinsburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
35.65 mi
Kilometers
57.38 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
46.85 mi
Kilometers
75.4 km
Drive Time
00h 54m

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 00h 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Owensboro
Sat, Apr 18, 1:25 AM CDT
Return by in Hardinsburg
Sat, Apr 18, 2:20 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hardinsburg
2026-04-18T00:31
Arrive Owensboro
Sat, Apr 18, 1:25 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:54 AM to 10:54 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:42 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hardinsburg
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Hawesville
KY

Human settlement in Hancock County, Kentucky, United States of America

From Hardinsburg
23.4 mi
00h 27m
To Owensboro
23.4 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph SW
Destination
77°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Hardinsburg and Owensboro.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hardinsburg and Owensboro.

  1. 1

    Start on 3rd Street

    32 m · 4 sec · 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    143 m · 14 sec · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 2nd Street

    1 mi · 2 min · 2nd Street

  4. 4

    Turn right

    35.9 mi · 45 min

  5. 5

    Turn left

    3.7 mi · 5 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward KY 144: Owensboro

    2248 ft · 55 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right

    55 m · 5 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right

    2.8 mi · 4 min

  10. 10

    Continue on East 2nd Street

    1.1 mi · 4 min · East 2nd Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Frederica Street

    62 m · 3 sec · Frederica Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Frederica Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hardinsburg and Owensboro.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
2nd Street
2.69 mi · 6%
East 2nd Street
1.1 mi · 2%
KY 144
0.46 mi · 1%
South Main Street
0.09 mi
Frederica Street
0.04 mi
3rd Street
0.02 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

35.9 mi · 00h 45m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.2 mi
35.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hawesville
00h 27m from Hardinsburg
Leave By
4:42 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Hardinsburg and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Owensboro.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Hardinsburg to Owensboro?

The road trip is about 46.9 miles (75.4 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?

Hawesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.4 miles from Hardinsburg and 23.4 miles from Owensboro.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 35.7 miles (57.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.2 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 4:42 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.22 one way or $12.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Hardinsburg and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Owensboro.

Stop Ideas Near Hawesville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Hawesville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hawesville.

BUS

Evansville, IN

72 mi away
119 Northwest 6th Street
BUS

Madisonville, KY

87 mi away
4765 Hanson Road
BUS

Louisville, Kentucky

95 mi away
720 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hardinsburg and Owensboro. Straight-line distance: 35.65 mi (57.38 km).

Hardinsburg

#1 Hardinsburg

County seat of Breckinridge County, Kentucky, United States

Population2,345
Coordinates37.7800600, -86.4605300
Altitude216
CountryUnited States
Owensboro

#2 Owensboro

The most populous city in Daviess County, Kentucky.

Population60,344
Coordinates37.7742200, -87.1133300
Altitude120
CountryUnited States
Start: 3rd Street (-86.460533, 37.780069)
End: Frederica Street (-87.113495, 37.77421)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 75 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.65 gal
6.26 L · about $6.22
Round trip
$12.44
3.3 gal · 12.52 L
Estimated CO2
14.7 kg one way
Round trip: 29.3 kg / 65 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.22 $12.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.02 $14.03
Premium $4.65 $7.68 $15.36
Diesel $5.30 $8.75 $17.50

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

There is no time difference between Hardinsburg and Owensboro. The current time is 00:31:46.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.