How far is Independence, KY from Middlesboro, KY?
The driving distance from Independence, KY to Middlesboro, KY is about 198.2 miles (319 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 167.5 miles (269.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 33m 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 46m.
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.
City in and the county seat of Madison County, Kentucky, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Middlesboro.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Middlesboro.
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1
Start on Madison Pike
1.3 mi · 3 min · Madison Pike
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2
Turn right
1.3 mi · 2 min
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3
Turn right onto Walton Nicholson Pike
4.1 mi · 6 min · Walton Nicholson Pike
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4
Continue on Walton Nicholson Road
2119 ft · 38 sec · Walton Nicholson Road
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5
Turn right onto Dixie Highway
3210 ft · 54 sec · Dixie Highway
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6
Continue on North Main Street
2298 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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7
Turn right onto Old Beaver Road
875 ft · 24 sec · Old Beaver Road
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8
Continue on Stephenson Mill Road
1317 ft · 36 sec · Stephenson Mill Road
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9
Keep slight left to continue on School Road
2514 ft · 1 min · School Road
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10
Turn right onto Mary Grubbs Highway
1859 ft · 42 sec · Mary Grubbs Highway
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11
Take the ramp left toward I 75 South: Lexington
1302 ft · 32 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto I 75 South: Lexington
142.1 mi · 2 hr 32 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
1752 ft · 38 sec
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14
Turn left onto Corbin Bypass
2 mi · 3 min · Corbin Bypass
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15
Continue on Cumberland Gap Parkway
30.7 mi · 37 min · Cumberland Gap Parkway
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16
Continue on Bob Madon Bypass
5.3 mi · 7 min · Bob Madon Bypass
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17
Continue on Wilderness Road
5.2 mi · 6 min · Wilderness Road
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18
Continue on Pineville Road
1.6 km · 1 min · Pineville Road
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19
Continue on 12th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 12th Street
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20
Turn right onto East Cumberland Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · East Cumberland Avenue
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21
Turn right onto 21st Street
155 m · 28 sec · 21st Street
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22
Turn left onto Lothbury Avenue
53 m · 8 sec · Lothbury Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lothbury Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Middlesboro.
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 75 South
Merge slight left onto I 75 South: Lexington
142 mi · 02h 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.
Sunny leaving Independence and Sunny near Middlesboro.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Middlesboro?
The road trip is about 198.2 miles (319 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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?
Richmond is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.2 miles from Independence and 99 miles from Middlesboro.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 167.5 miles (269.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.7 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 9:26 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.40 one way or $52.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Independence and Sunny near Middlesboro.
Stop Ideas Near Richmond
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 Richmond.
Maysville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Middlesboro. Straight-line distance: 167.52 mi (269.6 km).
#1 Independence
City in Kentucky
| Population | 28,903 |
| Coordinates | 38.9431200, -84.5441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Middlesboro
City in Bell County, Kentucky, United States of America
| Population | 10,730 |
| Coordinates | 36.6084200, -83.7165800 |
| Altitude | 348 |
| Country | United States |
End: Middlesboro (-83.71658, 36.60842)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 319 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.40 | $52.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.77 | $59.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.58 | $65.16 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.13 | $74.26 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.