How far is Benton, KY from Independence, KY?
The driving distance from Benton, KY to Independence, KY is about 297.2 miles (478.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 252.6 miles (406.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 32m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Grayson County, Kentucky, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Benton and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton and Independence.
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1
Start on East 12th Street
38 m · 9 sec · East 12th Street
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2
Turn left onto Poplar Street
2578 ft · 44 sec · Poplar Street
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3
Continue on East 5th Street
3169 ft · 56 sec · East 5th Street
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4
Continue on Symsonia Road
1078 ft · 20 sec · Symsonia Road
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5
Take the ramp right
2074 ft · 51 sec
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6
Merge slight left
7.7 mi · 8 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 24 East, I 69 North: Nashville, Henderson
16.6 mi · 18 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
38.3 mi · 42 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
1783 ft · 22 sec · Western Kentucky Parkway
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10
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
98.9 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
1955 ft · 48 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
3052 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left
37.9 mi · 41 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport
1.1 km · 59 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
1.3 km · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Henry Watterson Expressway
10 mi · 14 min · Henry Watterson Expressway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 71 North: Cincinnati
1877 ft · 32 sec
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18
Merge slight left
71 mi · 1 hr 17 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati
5.6 mi · 6 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward KY 536: Mount Zion Road
1763 ft · 43 sec
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21
Keep slight right
86 m · 7 sec
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22
Continue on Mount Zion Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Mount Zion Road
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mount Zion Road
37 m · 3 sec · Mount Zion Road
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24
Exit the roundabout onto Mount Zion Road
2573 ft · 52 sec · Mount Zion Road
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mount Zion Road
33 m · 2 sec · Mount Zion Road
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26
Exit the roundabout onto Mount Zion Road
2470 ft · 56 sec · Mount Zion Road
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27
Continue on Bristow Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Bristow Road
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28
At the end of the road, turn left onto Independence Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Independence Road
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29
At the end of the road, turn left onto Madison Pike
113 m · 7 sec · Madison Pike
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Madison Pike
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Benton and Independence.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Western Kentucky Parkway
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
98.9 mi · 01h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Benton and Partly Sunny near Independence.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Benton to Independence?
The road trip is about 297.2 miles (478.3 km) and usually takes 05h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Clarkson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148.4 miles from Benton and 148.7 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 252.6 miles (406.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.67 one way or $79.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.5 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Benton and Independence, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Benton and Partly Sunny near Independence.
Stop Ideas Near Clarkson
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clarkson.
Louisville, Kentucky
Madisonville, KY
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Benton and Independence. Straight-line distance: 252.61 mi (406.54 km).
#1 Benton
City in Kentucky
| Population | 4,467 |
| Coordinates | 36.8572800, -88.3503100 |
| Altitude | 130 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Independence
City in Kentucky
| Population | 28,903 |
| Coordinates | 38.9431200, -84.5441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
End: Independence (-84.54411, 38.94312)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 478 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.67 | $79.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.74 | $89.48 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.96 | $97.92 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.80 | $111.60 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Kentucky · Apr 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.