Kentucky Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary
Chris Muras
Author
Taking a road trip can be the best way to get to know an area. Even if you’ve lived in Kentucky your whole life, we guarantee there is still more to see. If you enjoy traveling and feeling like a tourist in your own state, then try out one of the best road trips in Kentucky we’ve put together to show you some extraordinary sights in the state. Each place includes a link back to the original article so you can read more details about each stop. You’ll also find links to an interactive Kentucky road trip map so you can customize it the way that’s most convenient for you.
Table of Contents
1-Day Road Trip In Kentucky
- Route: Stearns > Williamsburg > Corbin > Harlan > Hazard > Jackson > Paintsville > Prestonburg > Pikeville
- Distance: 967 miles
- Trip Time: 6 hours driving time
If you only have a day to enjoy and you want to make the most of it, how about a road trip to some of northeastern Kentucky's most interesting towns? From iconic train tunnels in Stearns to stunning lake views in Williamsburg. Of course, passing by Corbin and Kentucky's most famous waterfall would be a crime, so we'll hit that up too. As we travel to Hazard, be on the lookout for a giant goose - well, a roof shaped like a goose. Yes really. Grab a pizza in Jackson and maybe feed some ducks in Paintsville before checking out a planetarium in Prestonburg. Then, round out the trip with the historic Pauley Bridge in Pikeville. Quick road trips in Kentucky can be just as fun as long week-long vacations.
3-Day Weekend Road Trip In Kentucky
- Route: Gunpowder Creek > Barebone Road > Marion > Paradise > Dry Fork > Barthell > Packard > Jonican > Hays Cemetery Road > Boonesborough
- Distance: 967 miles
- Trip Time: 18 hours driving time
With Kentucky's rich mining history, there have been boom towns that simply went bust when the mine dried up. For that reason, there are a number of old abandoned towns that are a gem of historical significance. Are you ready for an epic ghost town road trip through some of Kentucky's most fascinating old towns? Weekend road trips in Kentucky don't have to be scary - but this one just might be...
Kentucky Bourbon Road Trip
- Route: Louisville > Bardstown > Loretto > Lexington > Frankfort
- Distance: 145 miles
- Trip Time: 3 hours driving time
Since Kentucky is famous for its Bourbon a trip to Northern Kentucky wouldn't be truly complete without a distillery tour along the Bourbon Trail. This road trip takes you from Louisville to Lexington and stops at some of the signature distilleries in the state. Travel scenic country roads as you visit iconic distilleries such as the Old Forester Distilling and check out the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown.
Kentucky BBQ Road Trip
- Route: Owensboro > Bowling Green > Russellville > Mayfield > Paducah > Madisonville > Owensboro
- Distance: 365 miles
- Trip Time: 7 hours driving time
If the first thing you think about when someone mentions Kentucky is good old-fashioned Kentucky Barbecue, then this road trip will be right up your alley. Some of the best small-town barbecue joints await on this epic Bluegrass barbecue road trip. So pack about a dozen bibs and your favorite elastic waist pants and hit the road on one of the best road trips to take in Kentucky for foodies.
Best Kentucky Road Trip For Spring
- Route: Thoroughbred Park > Calumet Farm > Manchester Farm > Keeneland Race Track, > Three Chimneys Farm > Donamire Farm > Darby Dan Farm > Kentucky Horse Park > Old Friends Stable
- Distance: 49 miles
- Trip Time: 1.5 hours driving time
Kentucky is best known for its champion Thoroughbred racehorses and the iconic Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville. However, Lexington is known as the "Horse Capital of the World," and the farmland surrounding the city is stunning. With the Keeneland Spring Meet held in April, a spring road trip to Kentucky horse country is a fantastic way to celebrate spring. This trip stays in and around Lexington, so it makes a great day trip. Especially if you are in town for some horse racing action.
Best Summer Road Trip In Kentucky
- Route: Lake Cumberland, > Corbin > Buckhorn Lake > Laurel River Lake
- Distance: 261 miles
- Trip Time: 5.5 hours driving time
On a hot summer day in The Bluegrass State, cooling off at the lake is a wonderful way to spend the day. Well, this summer road trip in Kentucky will let you enjoy some hiking, maybe even a little biking, a splash in a waterfall or two, and visit several of Kentucky's finest lakes. If spending time in nature is your idea of a great time, hop in the car, load up this itinerary into your GPS, and hit the road for a fun three-day road trip through Kentucky.
Best Kentucky Road Trip For Fall
- Route: Old Louisville > Versailles > University of Kentucky > Red River Gorge > Corbin > Western Kentucky University > Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
- Distance: 509 miles
- Trip Time: 12 hours driving time
Kentucky is undeniably gorgeous in the fall, and we're lucky enough to have comfortable weather in the autumn months, making outdoor exploration a perfect activity. This Kentucky fall road trip will take you all over the state, to both urban areas as well as natural wonders. This 521-mile trip will take close to 13 hours, but you'll definitely want to spend a significant amount of time at each stop. Take your time with this trip, and maybe even take a full week to really enjoy it. There are plenty of great hotels around the more urban stops, but camping would be a fun option while you're in Daniel Boone National Forest or the Land Between the Lakes.
Best Winter Road Trip In Kentucky
- Route: Bardstown > Louisville > Charlestown, Indiana > Louisville
- Distance: 78 miles
- Trip Time: 2 hours driving time
When you think about the ultimate winter road trip in Kentucky do you think about snowflakes and twinkling lights? If so, this Christmas lights road trip will dazzle you with festivity. This day trip, well night trip rather, is under two hours of drive-time so you can spend as long as you want at each stop. If a holiday lights tour is on your bucket list, this will be a fun way to check it off your list.
Family Friendly Kentucky Road Trip
Road Trip to Kentucky Landmarks & Natural Wonders
- Route: Jamestown > Whitley City > Daniel Boone National Forest > Natural Bridge State Resort Park > Stanton > Oneida, Tennessee
- Distance: 351 miles
- Trip Time: 7.5 hours driving time
Kentucky's natural beauty is one of the best parts of this state. This 12-hour natural wonders road trip will show you some of the most breathtaking natural sights in Kentucky, and we recommend camping on this road trip to keep with the theme of enjoying the great outdoors. With unique locations like Mammoth Cave, Cumberland Falls, and the Red River Gorge, this road trip will have you in awe.
Road Trip to Best Small Towns in Kentucky
- Route: Danville > Harrodsburg > Nicholasville > Winchester > Lawrenceburg > Taylorsville > Bardstown
- Distance: 168 miles
- Trip Time: 3.5 hours driving time
Kentucky has some truly charming small towns. Sure, the big cities like Louisville and Lexington are lively and exciting, but exploring the smaller towns is a great way to really get to know the state. This small-town road trip takes just under four hours, so you could easily do it in one day, but consider stretching it out over two or three days. Check out an adorable hotel or bed and breakfast in one of these towns to get the full experience.
When the travel bug bites you and those iconic Kentucky rolling hills start calling your name, start planning your next weekend getaway with one of these Kentucky road trip ideas. What are your favorite picks for the best road trips in Kentucky? Share your best getaway in the comments!
For travel planning and packing tips, check out OnlyInYourState’s Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. Whether you’re leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can’t forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.
The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List: 60+ Essentials For Your Next Adventure
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More to Explore
More Places To Explore In Kentucky
What are the most popular landmarks to visit in Kentucky?
From natural wonders to historical landmarks there are many places in Kentucky that are worth visiting. Here are a few of the most popular landmarks to visit in Kentucky:
- Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
- Louisville Slugger Museum
- Kentucky Horse Park
- Mammoth Cave National Park
- Louisville Water Company Pumping Station
- Ark Encounter
For even more historical landmarks check out this list of must-visit Kentucky landmarks.
What are the most popular state parks to visit in Kentucky?
As natural wonders go in Kentucky, from the Ohio River in the north to the Appalachian Mountains in the east, our beautiful state parks are a popular draw for outdoor enthusiasts. The most popular state parks in Kentucky include:
- Natural Bridge State Park, Slade, KY
- Cumberland Falls State Park, Corbin, KY
- Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, Union KY
- Fort Boonesborough State Park, Richmond, KY
What are the major highways in Kentucky?
With so many scenic drives in the state and a number of iconic scenic byways to enjoy our natural wonders, the best Kentucky road trips take us through some wonderful areas. But if you want to get through the state quickly try its major highways:
- Interstate 24
- Interstate 64
- Interstate 65
- Interstate 69
- Interstate 71
- Interstate 75