U.S. Route 641: Gilbertsville to Benton – Kentucky

Heading south through western Kentucky, U.S. Route 641 offers a scenic and surprisingly diverse 14-mile journey between Gilbertsville and Benton. We begin this segment at the junction with U.S. Route 62, just outside Gilbertsville, where the highway immediately immerses us in the woodlands and lakeside charm that define the Kentucky Lake area. Almost instantly, we’re traveling through Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park—a recreational hub offering camping, golf, fishing, and easy access to Kentucky Lake. If you’ve got time before continuing the drive, it’s well worth pulling off to explore the marina or stretch your legs at the nature trails just off the highway.

From the park, US-641 travels south through a mostly rural setting, with glimpses of Lake Barkley to the west and the rolling hills of western Kentucky in the distance. About halfway through the drive, we enter Draffenville, a small but lively community with local eateries, gas stations, and big-box retailers like Walmart that serve as a central stop for travelers and nearby residents alike. Just north of town, the highway crosses KY-1422 before joining briefly with U.S. Route 68. This short concurrency takes us southeast through the heart of Draffenville, where you’ll also find the Kentucky Opry and the Marshall County Library—two local favorites that give the area a unique cultural touch.

After U.S. 68 splits off, US-641 resumes its southern route, heading toward Benton. Just outside of Draffenville, the road intersects with KY-58 and KY-795 before curving gently through the Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge. This stretch offers a nice transition from small-town life back into the quiet of western Kentucky’s natural scenery. The refuge is home to diverse bird species and is especially beautiful in the early morning or late evening light. Crossing the Clarks River itself, we soon enter Benton, where US-641 takes on the name Main Street and rolls past a mix of historic buildings and modern storefronts. It’s a welcoming little town, with a traditional courthouse square, local diners, and antique shops that make for an enjoyable pit stop or destination in itself.

As the highway leaves Benton behind, it continues southward, intersecting KY-1824 and KY-783, before arriving at its junction with the U.S. Route 641 Spur. This is where our segment ends, just shy of where US-641 continues toward Murray and eventually crosses into Tennessee. Whether you’re exploring for the day or making your way further south, this drive offers a little of everything—lakeside parks, local flavor, and stretches of peaceful Kentucky countryside.