How far is Independence, KY from Benton, KY?
The driving distance from Independence, KY to Benton, KY is about 297.5 miles (478.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 252.6 miles (406.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 06m 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 05h 33m.
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.
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
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Benton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Benton.
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1
Start on Madison Pike
113 m · 10 sec · Madison Pike
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2
Turn right onto Independence Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Independence Road
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3
Turn right onto Bristow Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Bristow Road
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Mount Zion Road
2467 ft · 59 sec · Mount Zion Road
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Mount Zion Road
27 m · 2 sec · Mount Zion Road
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Mount Zion Road
2604 ft · 52 sec · Mount Zion Road
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Mount Zion Road
39 m · 3 sec · Mount Zion Road
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Mount Zion Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Mount Zion Road
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9
Turn right onto KY 536 East
2661 ft · 51 sec
-
10
Take the ramp slight left toward I 75, I 71
2443 ft · 60 sec
-
11
Merge slight left
4.9 mi · 5 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 71 South: Louisville
71.5 mi · 1 hr 18 min
-
13
Take the exit slight left toward I 264 West: Watterson Expressway
2346 ft · 45 sec
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14
Continue on Henry Watterson Expressway
10 mi · 14 min · Henry Watterson Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis
936 ft · 15 sec
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, Indianapolis
963 ft · 15 sec
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Nashville
1 mi · 2 min
-
18
Merge slight left
38.7 mi · 42 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
1079 ft · 26 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
1286 ft · 32 sec
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on Paducah, Elizabethtown
1710 ft · 42 sec
-
22
Merge slight left onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
-
23
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Western Kentucky Parkway
-
24
Merge slight left
37.4 mi · 40 min
-
25
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
16.2 mi · 18 min
-
26
Keep slight left
8.9 mi · 10 min
-
27
Take the exit slight right toward KY 348: Benton, Symsonia
1965 ft · 48 sec
-
28
Turn left onto Symsonia Road
2145 ft · 50 sec · Symsonia Road
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29
Continue on West 5th Street
2929 ft · 51 sec · West 5th Street
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30
Turn right onto Main Street
2604 ft · 50 sec · Main Street
-
31
Turn left onto East 12th Street
42 m · 3 sec · East 12th Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 12th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Benton.
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
Merge slight left onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi · 01h 45m
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 Benton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Benton?
The road trip is about 297.5 miles (478.7 km) and usually takes 05h 33m 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 148.6 miles from Independence and 148.8 miles from Benton.
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 44.9 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 5:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.60 one way or $79.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Independence and Benton, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Independence and Mostly Sunny near Benton.
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 Independence and Benton. Straight-line distance: 252.61 mi (406.54 km).
#1 Independence
City in Kentucky
| Population | 28,903 |
| Coordinates | 38.9431200, -84.5441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Benton
City in Kentucky
| Population | 4,467 |
| Coordinates | 36.8572800, -88.3503100 |
| Altitude | 130 |
| Country | United States |
End: Benton (-88.35031, 36.85728)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 479 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 26m |
| 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 | $39.60 | $79.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.66 | $89.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.87 | $97.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.69 | $111.38 |
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.