U.S. President Donald Trump signed the I-169 designation into law on May 7, 2017,[3][4] and the highway was officially re-signed and redesignated as I-169 in December 2024, following its upgrade to Interstate Highway standards.

After passing through, I-169 runs through farmland and the Western Coal Field, running roughly parallel to U.S. Route 41 (US 41) and bypassing numerous small towns before ending at a converted cloverleaf interchange with I-69 and the Western Kentucky Parkway and merging with I-69 through traffic.

The Pennyrile Parkway's original southern terminus was at the exit 7 interchange in Hopkinsville.

[6] The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet awarded a $13.9-million project to Scotty's Contracting to upgrade the highway to Interstate standards.

The project was completed in December 2024, with I-169 signage being installed and the roadway being officially redesignated.