How far is Independence, KY from Ashland, KY?
The driving distance from Independence, KY to Ashland, KY is about 151.4 miles (243.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 107.7 miles (173.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 03h 03m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Lewis County, Kentucky, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Ashland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Ashland.
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1
Start on Madison Pike
1.1 mi · 2 min · Madison Pike
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2
Continue straight
1516 ft · 32 sec
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3
Turn left
5 mi · 8 min
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4
Turn left onto I 275 East: Newport
1638 ft · 40 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Highway
7 mi · 8 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
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6
Continue on Circle Freeway
9.5 mi · 11 min · Circle Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward SR 32: Newtown, Eastgate Boulevard, Batavia
1718 ft · 42 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on SR 32 West: Eastgate Boulevard, Newtown
799 ft · 24 sec
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9
Turn right onto James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
75 mi · 1 hr 32 min · James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
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10
Take the exit right
1301 ft · 36 sec
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11
Merge slight left
10.5 mi · 13 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward SR 823 South: Ironton
1.1 km · 2 min
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13
Continue on Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
16.5 mi · 18 min · Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
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14
Merge slight left
23.5 mi · 25 min
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15
Take the exit slight left
1834 ft · 47 sec
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16
Continue on Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge
2506 ft · 40 sec · Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge
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17
Turn left onto Winchester Avenue
744 ft · 14 sec · Winchester Avenue
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Winchester Avenue
15 m · 1 sec · Winchester Avenue
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19
Exit the roundabout onto Winchester Avenue
104 m · 7 sec · Winchester Avenue
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Winchester Avenue
17 m · 1 sec · Winchester Avenue
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Winchester Avenue
107 m · 7 sec · Winchester Avenue
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Winchester Avenue
14 m · 1 sec · Winchester Avenue
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23
Exit the roundabout onto Winchester Avenue
108 m · 7 sec · Winchester Avenue
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward 17th Street
35 m · 2 sec · 17th Street
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25
Exit the roundabout onto 17th Street
46 m · 7 sec · 17th Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Ashland.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Turn right onto James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
75 mi · 01h 32m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Independence and Mostly Sunny near Ashland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Ashland?
The road trip is about 151.4 miles (243.7 km) and usually takes 03h 03m 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?
Vanceburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.6 miles from Independence and 75.8 miles from Ashland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 107.7 miles (173.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.7 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:52 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.14 one way or $40.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Independence and Mostly Sunny near Ashland.
Stop Ideas Near Vanceburg
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 Vanceburg.
South Portsmouth–South Shore station
Maysville
Ashland Transportation Center
Huntington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Ashland. Straight-line distance: 107.66 mi (173.27 km).
#1 Independence
City in Kentucky
| Population | 28,903 |
| Coordinates | 38.9431200, -84.5441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ashland
City in Boyd County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 20,070 |
| Coordinates | 38.4784100, -82.6379400 |
| Altitude | 168 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ashland (-82.63794, 38.47841)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 244 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.14 | $40.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.71 | $45.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.85 | $49.70 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.32 | $56.65 |
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.