With distilleries, horses, historic landmarks, and beautiful national parks, you could pack a lot in when driving to Kentucky. The well-maintained pavement will make for a smooth ride, but the state does have some strict laws on speeding and alcohol. Keep an eye out for toll roads, too.

We're here with your guide for driving to Kentucky. You’ll learn about the road conditions, traffic congestion, driving laws, and best routes so you’ll be fully prepared for the journey!

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The best routes for driving to Kentucky

With seven states from the Midwest and South bordering Kentucky, you really could be coming from any direction. Below we have some of the most popular routes to major cities in Kentucky:

New York City

Lexington

(11.5 hours): Depending on how ambitious you are, you could whip this drive out in one day. Otherwise, if you’re not in a rush, check out Fallingwater, in Mill Run,

Pennsylvania

—an amazing home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (complete with a waterfall!).

Austin

Fulton

(12 hours): I-30 and U.S. 67 will take you from the heart of Texas to Southern Kentucky in no time. Some worthwhile places to check out along the way are

Waco, Texas

, and

Little Rock, Arkansas

Seattle

Louisville

(36 hours): Have a good playlist or podcast ready for this road trip, because it’ll take you a couple of days. But with all that ground to cover, there are plenty of amazing places to stop for a break, like Mount Rushmore,

Sioux Falls

, and

Des Moines

Denver

Bowling Green

(17 hours): From the beautiful Rocky Mountains to Mammoth Cave National Park—with pit stops in St. Louis and Columbia—this road trip will be one for the books!

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Can you turn right on red in Kentucky?

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How good are Kentucky’s roads?

Considering Kentucky ranks No. 4 for the best road conditions in the country, you picked a great state to explore. Millions of dollars in funding go toward maintaining Kentucky’s roads every year. It is estimated that $36,205 is spent on each mile of state-controlled roads—and it has paid off.

Does Kentucky have toll roads?

Yes, Kentucky has three bridges that charge tolls—including the Abraham Lincoln Bridge (I-65 North), John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge (I-65 South), and Lewis and Clark Toll Bridge (I-265).

RiverLink is the system that manages tolling for Kentucky’s roads. Fees are usually between $2 and $5. Payments can only be made electronically; there are no cash booths. For a faster way through the tolls, consider purchasing a

RiverLink E-ZPass

Here is a map of the

toll roads in Kentucky

How bad is Kentucky traffic?

Surprisingly, the most populated cities in Kentucky are not the ones that top the list for worst traffic. Major cities like

Lexington

and

Louisville

do see their fair share of congestion but other areas in Kentucky take home the gold in this category.

Here are the cities that rank the highest for worst traffic in the state:

If you want to avoid traffic jams, try to miss rush hour in any major city. Driving through before 6 a.m. or after 7 p.m. should get you to your destination much faster.

Key Takeaway Kentucky has some of the best road conditions in the country. Avoid rush hour, and you should have a smooth ride through this state.

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What are Kentucky’s speeding laws?

Kentucky has two types of speeding laws: absolute speed limits and a basic speeding law. Here are the details of the two laws.

Absolute speed limits: It’s simple—if you’re going faster than the posted speed limit, you are violating the law. Unless otherwise posted, the speed limits include:

35 mph in business and residential districts

65 mph on most interstate highways and parkways

55 mph on other state highways

Basic speeding law: Regardless of the speed limit, drivers should evaluate the conditions and drive at a speed that is fit for the circumstances. For example, if the roads are icy, you will most likely need to drive slower than the posted speed limit or you could be in violation of the basic speeding law.

Fines for speeding in Kentucky

Here are the fines for speeding in Kentucky:

$20 for going 10 mph over

$30 for going 15 mph over

$40 for going 20 mph over

$55 for going 25 mph over

$60–$100 for 26+ mph over

Keep in mind that there is a $143 court fee added to every speeding violation and three to six points added to your record for a violation of 11+ mph over the speed limit.

Racking up points on your driving record

will all but guarantee you a higher insurance rate than if you keep a clean record.

MORE:

How do I lower my car insurance after a speeding ticket?

What are Kentucky’s alcohol laws?

Kentucky’s alcohol laws are pretty straightforward. If you are operating a vehicle under the following circumstances, you will likely be charged with a DUI or worse:

Adults with a BAC higher than 0.08%

Commercial drivers with a BAC higher than 0.04%

Anyone under the age of 21 with a BAC higher than 0.02%

It’s always best to arrange for a sober driver to take you home no matter how much you plan on consuming. Even a small amount of alcohol can impair your ability to drive because it lowers alertness and decreases coordination. Take a look at the full list of

Kentucky’s DUI laws

on ky.gov.

Kentucky has an

open container law

that prohibits the act of carrying open alcohol in your car. To legally transport alcohol, it must be sealed, in its original container, and stored properly in the backseat or trunk.

Violating an alcohol law in Kentucky could land you some serious fines, a license suspension, points on your record, and even jail time. For that reason, it’s important to understand and comply with these laws and commit to being a safe, sober driver!

Can you use headphones while driving in Kentucky?

While many states have laws against driving with headphones in, Kentucky is not one of them. There is no specific law that prohibits drivers from using headphones in Kentucky. However, there are

distracted driving laws

Kentucky defines three main types of distractions:

Visual: A distraction that causes the driver to take their eyes off the road

Manual: A distraction that causes the driver to take their hands off the wheel

Cognitive: A distraction that causes the driver to take their mind off of what they are doing

Avoid anything while driving that may distract from the task at hand. In its most broad interpretation, that would include headphones.

What are some of Kentucky’s best road trips?

Now that you know the driving laws, we can discuss the fun part of a road trip through Kentucky. (If you don’t have any specific places to see in mind, check out

the best castles in Kentucky to visit

Aside from main attractions like the Creation Museum and Churchill Downs, there are many scenic routes throughout Kentucky that lead to great stopping places. Some popular routes include Lincoln Heritage Scenic Byway/Museum, Wilderness Road Heritage Highway Pine Mountain, and Red River Gorge Scenic Byway.

How to find affordable car insurance in Kentucky

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FAQs

What are the best and worst cities for driving in Kentucky?

The cities with the worst ratings for driving in Kentucky include Fort Campbell North, Fort Thomas, and Lyndon. If possible, avoid rush hour traffic and plan to drive through major cities before 6 a.m. or after 7 p.m.

How long does it take to drive across Kentucky?

If you’re driving the east-west route through Kentucky, you will cover about 417 miles, which will take about 6 hours. However, the north-south trip is only about 182 miles, which can be covered in about 3 hours.

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