How far is Independence, KY from Morehead, KY?

The driving distance from Independence, KY to Morehead, KY is about 105.1 miles (169.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 79.7 miles (128.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
105.13 mi
02h 19m
Flight
79.73 mi
128.31 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Independence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
79.73 mi
Kilometers
128.31 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
105.13 mi
Kilometers
169.19 km
Drive Time
02h 19m

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 02h 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Morehead
Thu, Apr 23, 3:40 AM EDT
Return by in Independence
Thu, Apr 23, 5:59 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-04-23T01:21
Arrive Morehead
Thu, Apr 23, 3:40 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:19 AM to 12:19 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Independence
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Germantown
KY

City in Kentucky, United States

From Independence
52.6 mi
01h 09m
To Morehead
52.6 mi
01h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph SW
Destination
82°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 6 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Morehead.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Morehead.

  1. 1

    Start on Madison Pike

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Madison Pike

  2. 2

    Continue straight

    1516 ft · 32 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left

    5 mi · 8 min

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I 275 East: Newport

    1638 ft · 40 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Highway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Ronald Reagan Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward KY 9, AA: Wilder, Maysville

    1403 ft · 34 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on KY 9, AA: Alexandria, Maysville

    663 ft · 16 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Licking Pike

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Licking Pike

  9. 9

    Continue on AA Highway

    52.2 mi · 1 hr 10 min · AA Highway

  10. 10

    Turn right onto KY 11 South: Flemingsburg

    12.3 mi · 14 min

  11. 11

    Turn right

    4.4 mi · 5 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    24.4 mi · 31 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West Wilkinson Boulevard

    2770 ft · 59 sec · West Wilkinson Boulevard

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Bridge Street

    79 m · 11 sec · Bridge Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Bridge Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Morehead.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
AA Highway
52.2 mi · 50%
KY 11 South
36.7 mi · 35%
Ronald Reagan Highway
2.73 mi · 3%
Madison Pike
1.4 mi · 1%
Licking Pike
1.4 mi · 1%
West Wilkinson Boulevard
0.52 mi
Longest Stretch

AA Highway

Continue on AA Highway

52.2 mi · 01h 10m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 19m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.4 mi
79.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Germantown
01h 09m from Independence
Leave By
1:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Independence and Sunny near Morehead.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Independence to Morehead?

The road trip is about 105.1 miles (169.2 km) and usually takes 02h 19m 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?

Germantown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.6 miles from Independence and 52.6 miles from Morehead.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 79.7 miles (128.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.4 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 1:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.99 one way or $27.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Independence and Sunny near Morehead.

Stop Ideas Near Germantown

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Germantown, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Germantown.

RAIL

Maysville

17 mi away
West Front St & Rosemary Clooney St
BUS

Cincinnati, OH

69 mi away
1005 Gilbert Avenue
RAIL

Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal

70 mi away
1301 Western Ave.
RAIL

South Portsmouth–South Shore station

87 mi away
Main St & US 23

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Morehead. Straight-line distance: 79.73 mi (128.31 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

City in Kentucky

Population28,903
Coordinates38.9431200, -84.5441100
Altitude274
CountryUnited States
Morehead

#2 Morehead

County seat in Kentucky

Population7,596
Coordinates38.1839700, -83.4326800
Altitude225
CountryUnited States
Start: Independence (-84.54411, 38.94312)
End: Morehead (-83.43268, 38.18397)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 169 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.71 gal
14.04 L · about $13.99
Round trip
$27.98
7.42 gal · 28.08 L
Estimated CO2
33 kg one way
Round trip: 65.9 kg / 145 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.99 $27.98
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.78 $31.56
Premium $4.65 $17.27 $34.53
Diesel $5.30 $19.68 $39.36

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

There is no time difference between Independence and Morehead. The current time is 01:21:18.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.