How far is Horse Cave, KY from Owensboro, KY?
The driving distance from Horse Cave, KY to Owensboro, KY is about 114.1 miles (183.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 77.9 miles (125.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 35m 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 01h 47m.
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 Kentucky
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Horse Cave and Owensboro.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Horse Cave and Owensboro.
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1
Start on East Main Street
33 m · 6 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto South Dixie Street
2.6 mi · 4 min · South Dixie Street
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3
Continue on North Dixie Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · North Dixie Highway
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4
Turn right onto Happy Valley Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Happy Valley Street
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5
Continue straight
1292 ft · 29 sec
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6
Take the exit left
1423 ft · 35 sec
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7
Merge slight left
26.2 mi · 28 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward KY 234: Bowling Green
1288 ft · 35 sec
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9
Turn right onto Cemetery Road
1 mi · 2 min · Cemetery Road
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10
Continue on Fairview Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · Fairview Avenue
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11
Continue on East 6th Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · East 6th Avenue
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12
Continue on Veterans Memorial Lane
3.7 mi · 6 min · Veterans Memorial Lane
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13
Turn right onto Morgantown Road
1.5 km · 1 min · Morgantown Road
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14
Take the ramp right
1376 ft · 34 sec
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15
Merge slight left
62.3 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on US 60 East, US 231 North: Hawesville
1792 ft · 44 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Wendell Ford Expressway
1.2 km · 53 sec · Wendell Ford Expressway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward KY 54
1437 ft · 42 sec
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19
Turn left onto Leitchfield Road
79 m · 6 sec · Leitchfield Road
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20
Continue on East Parrish Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · East Parrish Avenue
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21
Turn right onto Leitchfield Road
1.1 km · 2 min · Leitchfield Road
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22
Turn left onto East 5th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · East 5th Street
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23
Turn right onto Frederica Street
997 ft · 21 sec · Frederica Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Frederica Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Horse Cave and Owensboro.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Morgantown Road
Merge slight left
62.3 mi · 01h 07m
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.
Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Horse Cave 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 Horse Cave to Owensboro?
The road trip is about 114.1 miles (183.6 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?
Woodbury is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.8 miles from Horse Cave and 60.3 miles from Owensboro.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 77.9 miles (125.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.2 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 2:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.20 one way or $30.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms around Horse Cave and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Owensboro.
Stop Ideas Near Woodbury
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 Woodbury.
Madisonville, KY
Clarksville, TN
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Horse Cave and Owensboro. Straight-line distance: 77.87 mi (125.32 km).
#1 Horse Cave
City in Kentucky
| Population | 2,415 |
| Coordinates | 37.1795000, -85.9069200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Owensboro
The most populous city in Daviess County, Kentucky.
| Population | 60,344 |
| Coordinates | 37.7742200, -87.1133300 |
| Altitude | 120 |
| Country | United States |
End: Frederica Street (-87.113495, 37.77421)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 184 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.20 | $30.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.14 | $34.28 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $18.76 | $37.51 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $21.38 | $42.75 |
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.