The western segment of KY 8, the longer of the two, extends 78.819 miles (126.847 km) between rural Boone County and Maysville.

[1] The route runs parallel to the Ohio River as it heads eastward, passing through Covington, Newport, and Augusta before ending at an intersection with US 62 in Maysville.

[3] KY 8 has been re-routed from its original path along Mary Ingles Highway in Fort Thomas due to a landslide.

[4] According to Mike Bezold, a member of the Kentucky Transport Cabinet, the cost to repair the damaged section of road would be $50 million despite having a low number of drivers.

[4] The Ramblin' River Tour which inhabits the part of the KY 8 that has been closed has not been redesignated as bicycles are still able to pass the landslide with ease.