How far is Paintsville, KY from Louisville, KY?
The driving distance from Paintsville, KY to Louisville, KY is about 186.6 miles (300.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.5 miles (263.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 56m.
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 and the county seat of Clark County, Kentucky, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Paintsville and Louisville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paintsville and Louisville.
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1
Start on Court Street
151 m · 27 sec · Court Street
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2
Turn left onto 3rd Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · 3rd Street
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3
Continue straight
13.6 mi · 15 min
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Mountain Parkway
76.9 mi · 1 hr 23 min · Mountain Parkway
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5
Merge slight left
15.5 mi · 17 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cincinnati
6.9 mi · 8 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West: Frankfort, Louisville
70.1 mi · 1 hr 19 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward 3rd Street, River Road, Downtown
1223 ft · 30 sec
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9
Continue on North 3rd Street
1839 ft · 42 sec · North 3rd Street
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10
Turn right onto West Jefferson Street
1181 ft · 44 sec · West Jefferson Street
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Jefferson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Paintsville and Louisville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Mountain Parkway
At the end of the road, turn right onto Mountain Parkway
76.9 mi · 01h 23m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Paintsville and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Louisville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Paintsville to Louisville?
The road trip is about 186.6 miles (300.3 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?
Winchester is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93 miles from Paintsville and 93.7 miles from Louisville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.5 miles (263.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.85 one way or $49.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Paintsville and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Louisville.
Stop Ideas Near Winchester
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 Winchester.
Maysville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Paintsville and Louisville. Straight-line distance: 163.51 mi (263.14 km).
#1 Paintsville
City in Kentucky
| Population | 3,925 |
| Coordinates | 37.8145400, -82.8071100 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Louisville
The nineteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Louisville metropolitan area.
| Population | 760,026 |
| Coordinates | 38.2542400, -85.7594100 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Jefferson Street (-85.759435, 38.254101)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 300 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.85 | $49.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.03 | $56.05 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.67 | $61.34 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.95 | $69.91 |
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.