How far is Paducah, KY from Elsmere, KY?
The driving distance from Paducah, KY to Elsmere, KY is about 304 miles (489.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 254.9 miles (410.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 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 05h 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 Grayson County, Kentucky, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Paducah and Elsmere.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paducah and Elsmere.
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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
37.9 mi · 41 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport
1.1 km · 59 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
1.3 km · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Henry Watterson Expressway
10 mi · 14 min · Henry Watterson Expressway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on I 71 North: Cincinnati
1877 ft · 32 sec
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20
Merge slight left
71 mi · 1 hr 17 min
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21
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati
7.8 mi · 8 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward US 42, US 127: Union, Florence
1817 ft · 47 sec
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23
Turn right
74 m · 4 sec
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24
Continue straight
2.6 mi · 5 min
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25
Turn right onto Garvey Avenue
134 m · 19 sec · Garvey Avenue
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Garvey Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Paducah and Elsmere.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Western Kentucky Parkway
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
98.9 mi · 01h 46m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Paducah and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Elsmere.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Paducah to Elsmere?
The road trip is about 304 miles (489.2 km) and usually takes 05h 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?
Clarkson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 151.9 miles from Paducah and 152.1 miles from Elsmere.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 254.9 miles (410.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.1 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 5:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.46 one way or $80.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.4 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Paducah and Elsmere, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Paducah and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Elsmere.
Stop Ideas Near Clarkson
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 Clarkson.
Louisville, Kentucky
Madisonville, KY
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Paducah and Elsmere. Straight-line distance: 254.96 mi (410.32 km).
#1 Paducah
City in McCracken County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 24,883 |
| Coordinates | 37.0833900, -88.6000500 |
| Altitude | 104 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elsmere
Town in Delaware
| Population | 8,646 |
| Coordinates | 39.0125600, -84.6046700 |
| Altitude | 280 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elsmere (-84.60467, 39.01256)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 489 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.46 | $80.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.63 | $91.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.94 | $99.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $56.91 | $113.82 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.