Take a scenic ride across the western reaches of the Bluegrass State as we follow Interstate 24 from Hopkinsville to Paducah, Kentucky. Stretching 74 miles, this segment of I-24 connects quiet farmland and forested ridges with industrial river towns and national recreation lands—serving both long-haul traffic and weekend lake travelers alike.
Our drive begins as we merge onto I-24 from Interstate 169, formerly the Pennyrile Parkway, just south of Hopkinsville. Rolling through the open terrain of Christian County, the landscape is defined by wide fields, the occasional line of trees, and rural homesteads—a glimpse of western Kentucky’s agricultural backbone. We reach the interchange with US-68 near Cadiz, a turnoff for travelers bound for the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, just to our west. Though we stay on the freeway, the presence of those massive reservoirs—Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley—lingers nearby, with signs for fishing, boating, and cabins dotting the exits.
Crossing into Lyon County, we approach Eddyville, where Interstate 69 joins us briefly. This section had already been designated as I-69 when the video was recorded, replacing the former Western Kentucky Parkway name. The interchange here retains its original configuration, having required no significant overhaul to meet interstate standards. Beyond Eddyville, I-24 continues with I-69 and curves northwest through a quiet buffer of forested land and open ground, eventually entering Marshall County.
Here, we near Calvert City, a small but industrially significant community known for its proximity to Kentucky Dam and its chemical manufacturing operations. Just west of Calvert City lies the key interchange with the Purchase Parkway—which had yet to be redesignated as Interstate 69 at the time of filming. The video captures the old interchange layout, built during the parkway era. Since then, the junction has been completely reconstructed to modern Interstate specifications, with new ramps, wider merges, and improved signage as part of Kentucky’s ongoing upgrades to its parkway infrastructure.
The final leg of our journey takes us across the bottom edge of McCracken County, where I-24 levels out for a smooth run into the outskirts of Paducah. Known for its historic riverfront, vibrant artist district, and role in barge and freight logistics, Paducah sits at a vital crossroads near the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. We end the video at Exit 7, where we depart the interstate at U.S. Highway 62, just a few miles west of downtown.
Though often driven without much thought, this stretch of I-24 plays a vital role in Kentucky’s transportation network. It bridges natural beauty with commercial hubs, links two branches of the I-69 corridor, and passes near one of the state’s most treasured recreation areas. Whether you’re headed for the lake, the river, or points far beyond, this drive offers a smooth, engaging ride through one of Kentucky’s most versatile regions.
🎵 Additional Music:
Lazy Day by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/
🗺️ Route Map
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