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 these road trips we’ve planned out that will show you some extraordinary sights in Kentucky. Each place includes a link back to the original article so you can read more details about each stop. In these articles, you find links to an interactive maps of these Kentucky road trips so you can tweak the one we provided to customize it the way that’s most convenient for you.

1. Abandoned Places Road Trip
Google Maps
Flickr/Kylen Louanne
This road trip will take you to some of Kentucky's creepiest, most abandoned places. Looking at these old structures will make you wonder about their former glory, and what they were like when life was bustling. The whole trip takes about 10 hours, so it would be ideal to plan this out over a long weekend.
2. Fall Foliage Road Trip
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Flickr/Ioreth_ni_Balor
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 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.
3. Haunted Kentucky Road Trip
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Flickr/Aaron Vowels
There's no better way to get into the Halloween spirit than by trying to spot a ghost. These allegedly haunted places in Kentucky will make your hair stand on end, and your chances of seeing something unexplainable are pretty good. The trip takes over 9 hours, but some of the stops on this trip are haunted hotels and bed and breakfasts so you can spend the night in some spooky places.
4. Natural Wonders Road Trip
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Flickr/My Camera And Me
Kentucky's natural beauty is one of the best parts of this state. This 12 hour 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.
5. Ghost Towns Road Trip
Google Maps

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 The Charming Small Town in Kentucky That's Perfect For A Fall Day Trip

The Charming Small Town in Kentucky That's Perfect For A Fall Day Trip
Flickr/cmh2315fl
Like the Abandoned Places Road Trip, this one will leave you scratching your head and wondering what life used to be like in these ghost towns. We recommend taking this journey over a long weekend, so you can explore the bustling communities that are near these ghost towns.
6. Horse Country Road Trip
Google Maps
Flickr/David Ohmer
Kentucky is best known for its champion Thoroughbred race horses. Lexington is known as the "Horse Capital of the World," and the farm land surrounding the city is stunning. This trip stays in and around Lexington, so it makes a great day trip.
7. One Tank Of Gas Road Trip
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Flickr/Daniel Thornton
Lucky for us, Kentucky isn't a huge state like Texas or California, so we can cover a lot of ground on just one tank of gas. This road trip will change based on where you will be starting, so you can tweak the map based on your location.
8. Small Towns Road Trip
Google Maps
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
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 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.
9. Waterfalls Road Trip
Google Maps
Flickr/Sarah Altendorf
Kentucky's most well-known waterfall is definitely Cumberland Falls, but there are so many more beautiful waterfalls in the state that you just have to see. If you can, do this road trip in the summer just after a heavy rain. The trip will take over nine hours, but there are plenty of camping and lodging options around these areas so that you can take your time to enjoy each spot.

Which one of these Kentucky road trips are you most looking forward to? What are your picks for the best road trips in Kentucky? Share them in the comments below!

Looking for some packing inspiration for your next adventure? Be sure to peruse our Road Trip Essentials Packing List & Guide before you hit the road!

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More to Explore

Best road trips in Kentucky

Sarah | July 11, 2021

What are some of the most scenic road trips in Kentucky?

There are so many great scenic road trips in Kentucky, and we share 10 of our favorites in this article. In terms of great scenery, you really can't beat U.S. 23. Known as the Country Music Highway, it runs through seven counties that were once home to the music stars Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gail, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ricky Skaggs, Patty Loveless and more -- not to mention the incredible view of the Kentucky Appalachians! Perhaps the most scenic drive in Kentucky, however, is the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway. The 46-mile Red River Gorge Scenic Byway travels from Stanton to Zachariah, straight through the heart of Daniel Boone National Forest, and can easily be done in an afternoon.

What are some great day trips in Kentucky?

Many of the places on the above list of best road trips in Kentucky also make for great day trips! But if you're looking for more ideas, Jane's Saddlebag is a family-friendly destination that offers farm fun, a country restaurant, live animals, a whimsical outdoor playground, and an all-around wholesome experience. It's located near Big Bone Lick State Park in Union, which is another great Kentucky day trip idea, too! Other great day trip ideas in Kentucky include an excursion on My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, the Natural Bridge Skylift, and the Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, where you can pet kangaroos, milk a cow, or even hold a snake!

What are some must-visit places in Kentucky?

The Bluegrass State is a splendid place to explore, full of must-visit places and attractions. In terms of natural wonders,  definitely check out Cumberland Falls, Lake Cumberland, Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky Lake, Mammoth Cave National Park, and Red River Gorge. You can learn about more must-visit wonders in Kentucky in this article. In addition to those spectacular places, there are countless other must-visit places in Kentucky that really belong on everyone's bucket list! Some of our favorites include the Kentucky Castle, the Kentucky Horse Park, Historic Bardstown, the Louisville Slugger Museum, and My Old Kentucky Home. Of course, this list only scratches the surface of all the great adventures you can have in the Bluegrass State; here are more bucket-list places in Kentucky!

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