How far is Whitesburg, KY from Owensboro, KY?
The driving distance from Whitesburg, KY to Owensboro, KY is about 310.6 miles (499.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 239.4 miles (385.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 11m.
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.
City in Kentucky
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Whitesburg and Owensboro.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Whitesburg and Owensboro.
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1
Start on North Webb Avenue
705 ft · 14 sec · North Webb Avenue
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2
Turn straight onto Hazard Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Hazard Road
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3
Continue straight
9 mi · 10 min
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4
Continue on Red Fox Road
3.9 mi · 4 min · Red Fox Road
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5
Continue on Smithsboro Road
5.4 mi · 6 min · Smithsboro Road
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6
Continue on Whitesburg Road
682 ft · 9 sec · Whitesburg Road
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7
Continue on Bible Avenue
11.1 mi · 13 min · Bible Avenue
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8
Turn left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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9
At the end of the road, turn left
2 mi · 3 min
-
10
Turn left
1615 ft · 46 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Hal Rogers Parkway
93.8 mi · 1 hr 50 min · Hal Rogers Parkway
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12
Turn right
2233 ft · 35 sec
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on Bowling Green
3226 ft · 2 min
-
14
Merge slight left onto Cumberland Parkway
85.9 mi · 1 hr 32 min · Cumberland Parkway
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15
Continue on Cumberland Parkway
1612 ft · 20 sec · Cumberland Parkway
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16
Continue on Cumberland Expressway
1.2 km · 2 min · Cumberland Expressway
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17
Merge slight left
16.5 mi · 18 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward KY 234: Bowling Green
1288 ft · 35 sec
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19
Turn right onto Cemetery Road
1 mi · 2 min · Cemetery Road
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20
Continue on Fairview Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · Fairview Avenue
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21
Continue on East 6th Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · East 6th Avenue
-
22
Continue on Veterans Memorial Lane
3.7 mi · 6 min · Veterans Memorial Lane
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23
Turn right onto Morgantown Road
1.5 km · 1 min · Morgantown Road
-
24
Take the ramp right
1376 ft · 34 sec
-
25
Merge slight left
62.3 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
26
Keep slight right to continue on US 60 East, US 231 North: Hawesville
1792 ft · 44 sec
-
27
Merge slight left onto Wendell Ford Expressway
1.2 km · 53 sec · Wendell Ford Expressway
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28
Take the exit slight right toward KY 54
1437 ft · 42 sec
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29
Turn left onto Leitchfield Road
79 m · 6 sec · Leitchfield Road
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30
Continue on East Parrish Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · East Parrish Avenue
-
31
Turn right onto Leitchfield Road
1.1 km · 2 min · Leitchfield Road
-
32
Turn left onto East 5th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · East 5th Street
-
33
Turn right onto Frederica Street
997 ft · 21 sec · Frederica Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Frederica Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Whitesburg and Owensboro.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Hal Rogers Parkway
Merge slight left onto Hal Rogers Parkway
93.8 mi · 01h 50m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving Whitesburg and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Owensboro.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Whitesburg to Owensboro?
The road trip is about 310.6 miles (499.8 km) and usually takes 05h 11m 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?
Russell Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.2 miles from Whitesburg and 156.3 miles from Owensboro.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 239.4 miles (385.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 71.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:38 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.33 one way or $82.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.4 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Whitesburg and Owensboro, 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 Mostly Cloudy around Whitesburg and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Owensboro.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Whitesburg and Owensboro. Straight-line distance: 239.44 mi (385.34 km).
#1 Whitesburg
City in Letcher County, Kentucky, United States of America
| Population | 1,813 |
| Coordinates | 37.1184300, -82.8268300 |
| Altitude | 357 |
| 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: 500 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.33 | $82.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.61 | $93.23 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $51.01 | $102.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $58.13 | $116.26 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.