How far is Paducah, KY from Elizabethtown, KY?
Fastest route
Here are some tips and suggestions for your trip from Paducah, Kentucky to Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The distance is approximately 173 miles (278 kilometers), and the estimated travel time is 2 hours and 38 minutes via Western Kentucky Pkwy. Please note that your destination is in a different time zone.
Directions
- 🚗 Head northeast on Washington St toward S 6th St.
- 🚦 Turn right at the 3rd cross street onto S 4th St.
- 🛣️ Continue onto Wayne Sullivan Dr.
- 🚦 Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto US-62 E/Clarks River Rd.
- 🛣️ Take I-24 E to I-69 N and Western Kentucky Pkwy to Elizabethtown Bypass in Elizabethtown.
- 🛣️ Take exit 136 from Western Kentucky Pkwy.
- 🚗 Turn left onto Elizabethtown Bypass, then turn right onto College St.
- 🚦 Turn left onto S Miles St, and then left onto W Poplar St.
- 🚗 Turn right onto Morningside Dr, and finally, turn left at the 1st cross street onto Meadow Ln.
Tips & Suggestions
- ⏰ Plan your journey according to the time zone difference at your destination.
- ⛽ Ensure your vehicle has enough fuel for the trip.
- 🚓 Observe speed limits and traffic rules to ensure a safe journey.
- 🍴 Pack some snacks and drinks for the road to stay refreshed.
- 📱 Bring a phone charger or power bank for your devices during the drive.
- 🧴 Don't forget to bring sunscreen and sunglasses if it's a sunny day.
- 🗺️ Keep a physical map or GPS navigation system handy in case of any detours.
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 37m.
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 Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Paducah and Elizabethtown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paducah and Elizabethtown.
-
1
Start on Washington Street
1060 ft · 49 sec · Washington Street
-
2
Turn right onto South 4th Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · South 4th Street
-
3
Continue on Wayne Sullivan Drive
1.7 mi · 3 min · Wayne Sullivan Drive
-
4
Turn left onto Clarks River Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Clarks River Road
-
5
Turn straight onto Reidland Road
1.5 km · 1 min · Reidland Road
-
6
Turn straight onto Kentucky Dam Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · Kentucky Dam Road
-
7
Turn right
1.1 mi · 1 min
-
8
Turn left
2054 ft · 50 sec
-
9
Merge slight left
24.6 mi · 26 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
38.3 mi · 42 min
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
1783 ft · 22 sec · Western Kentucky Parkway
-
12
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
97.6 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 31W Bypass: Elizabethtown
2579 ft · 1 min
-
14
Turn right onto Elizabethtown Bypass
122 m · 7 sec · Elizabethtown Bypass
-
15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward New Glendale Road
47 m · 2 sec · New Glendale Road
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16
Exit the roundabout onto New Glendale Road
1.2 km · 1 min · New Glendale Road
-
17
Turn left onto East Dixie Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · East Dixie Avenue
-
18
Turn right
41 m · 3 sec
-
19
Turn left
36 m · 2 sec
-
20
Keep slight right to continue on West Dixie Avenue
136 m · 11 sec · West Dixie Avenue
-
21
Turn right onto North Mulberry Street
24 m · 1 sec · North Mulberry Street
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Mulberry Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Paducah and Elizabethtown.
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
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
97.6 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 Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Paducah and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Elizabethtown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Paducah to Elizabethtown?
The road trip is about 172.2 miles (277.2 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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 86.1 miles from Paducah and 86.2 miles from Elizabethtown.
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 15.9 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 1:14 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.93 one way or $45.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Paducah and Elizabethtown, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Paducah and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Elizabethtown.
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 Paducah and Elizabethtown. Straight-line distance: 156.26 mi (251.48 km).
#1 Paducah
City in McCracken County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 24,883 |
| Coordinates | 37.0833900, -88.6000500 |
| Altitude | 104 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elizabethtown
County seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 30,331 |
| Coordinates | 37.6939500, -85.8591300 |
| Altitude | 221 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Mulberry Street (-85.859285, 37.694037)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 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 | $22.93 | $45.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.86 | $51.72 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.30 | $56.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.25 | $64.50 |
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 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.