How far is Paducah, KY from Bardstown, KY?
The driving distance from Paducah, KY to Bardstown, KY is about 196.8 miles (316.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 179 miles (288.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 39m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Ohio County, Kentucky, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Paducah and Bardstown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paducah and Bardstown.
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1
Start on Washington Street
1060 ft · 49 sec · Washington Street
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2
Turn right onto South 4th Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · South 4th Street
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3
Continue on Wayne Sullivan Drive
1.7 mi · 3 min · Wayne Sullivan Drive
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4
Turn left onto Clarks River Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Clarks River Road
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5
Turn straight onto Reidland Road
1.5 km · 1 min · Reidland Road
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6
Turn straight onto Kentucky Dam Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · Kentucky Dam Road
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7
Turn right
1.1 mi · 1 min
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8
Turn left
2054 ft · 50 sec
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9
Merge slight left
24.6 mi · 26 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
38.3 mi · 42 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
1783 ft · 22 sec · Western Kentucky Parkway
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12
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
98.9 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
1955 ft · 48 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
3052 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 1 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Lexington, Bardstown
3252 ft · 1 min
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17
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
19.6 mi · 21 min · Bluegrass Parkway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Bardstown, New Haven
2272 ft · 1 min
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19
Turn left onto New Haven Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · New Haven Road
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20
Continue on Cathedral Manor
2860 ft · 50 sec · Cathedral Manor
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21
Continue on West Stephen Foster Avenue
1422 ft · 31 sec · West Stephen Foster Avenue
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22
Enter the roundabout toward Court Square
156 m · 8 sec · Court Square
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Court Square
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Paducah and Mostly Sunny near Bardstown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Paducah to Bardstown?
The road trip is about 196.8 miles (316.7 km) and usually takes 03h 39m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rockport is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.2 miles from Paducah and 98.5 miles from Bardstown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 179 miles (288.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.21 one way or $52.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Paducah and Bardstown, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Paducah and Mostly Sunny near Bardstown.
Stop Ideas Near Rockport
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 Rockport.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Paducah and Bardstown. Straight-line distance: 179.02 mi (288.11 km).
#1 Paducah
City in McCracken County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 24,883 |
| Coordinates | 37.0833900, -88.6000500 |
| Altitude | 104 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bardstown
City in Kentucky
| Population | 13,302 |
| Coordinates | 37.8092300, -85.4669000 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bardstown (-85.4669, 37.80923)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 317 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.21 | $52.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.56 | $59.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.35 | $64.69 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.86 | $73.73 |
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 10, 2026