How far is Independence, KY from Louisville, KY?
The driving distance from Independence, KY to Louisville, KY is about 90.6 miles (145.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 81.1 miles (130.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 30m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Carroll County, Kentucky, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Louisville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Louisville.
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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
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10
Take the ramp slight left toward I 75, I 71
2443 ft · 60 sec
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11
Merge slight left
4.9 mi · 5 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 71 South: Louisville
76.8 mi · 1 hr 25 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 West: Saint Louis
2994 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 1 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward 3rd Street, River Road, Downtown
1223 ft · 30 sec
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16
Continue on North 3rd Street
1839 ft · 40 sec · North 3rd Street
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17
Turn right onto West Jefferson Street
1181 ft · 44 sec · West Jefferson Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Jefferson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Louisville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 71 South
Take the exit slight right toward I 71 South: Louisville
76.8 mi · 01h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Independence and Mostly Sunny near Louisville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Louisville?
The road trip is about 90.6 miles (145.8 km) and usually takes 01h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Worthville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45.2 miles from Independence and 45.4 miles from Louisville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 81.1 miles (130.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.07 one way or $24.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Independence and Mostly Sunny near Louisville.
Stop Ideas Near Worthville
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 Worthville.
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
Louisville, Kentucky
Cincinnati, OH
Maysville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Louisville. Straight-line distance: 81.06 mi (130.46 km).
#1 Independence
City in Kentucky
| Population | 28,903 |
| Coordinates | 38.9431200, -84.5441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Louisville
The nineteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Louisville metropolitan area.
| Population | 760,026 |
| Coordinates | 38.2542400, -85.7594100 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Jefferson Street (-85.759435, 38.254101)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 146 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.07 | $24.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.61 | $27.22 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.89 | $29.79 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.97 | $33.95 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.