How far is Independence, KY from Owensboro, KY?
The driving distance from Independence, KY to Owensboro, KY is about 196.8 miles (316.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 160.9 miles (259 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 20m 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 10m.
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.
Home rule-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States
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 Owensboro.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Owensboro.
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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
-
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
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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
67.4 mi · 1 hr 13 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward KY 841 North
736 ft · 18 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on KY 841 North
2995 ft · 1 min
-
15
Merge slight left onto Gene Snyder Freeway
3 mi · 3 min · Gene Snyder Freeway
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16
Continue on Lewis and Clark Bridge
6.1 mi · 7 min · Lewis and Clark Bridge
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17
Continue straight
1.3 km · 58 sec
-
18
Continue straight
6.4 mi · 7 min
-
19
Continue on I 64 West, SR 62 West: Saint Louis
2548 ft · 54 sec
-
20
Merge slight left
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
21
Continue straight
63.3 mi · 1 hr 9 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward US 231 South
2113 ft · 52 sec
-
23
Merge slight left
20.9 mi · 26 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right
1.4 km · 2 min
-
25
Turn right
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
26
Turn right onto Sycamore Street
3.4 mi · 4 min · Sycamore Street
-
27
Turn left
8.2 mi · 11 min
-
28
Continue on Owensboro Bridge
3218 ft · 1 min · Owensboro Bridge
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29
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
1383 ft · 1 min · East 3rd Street
-
30
Turn right onto Frederica Street
63 m · 3 sec · Frederica Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Frederica Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Owensboro.
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
67.4 mi · 01h 13m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Independence and Mostly Sunny near Owensboro.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Owensboro?
The road trip is about 196.8 miles (316.7 km) and usually takes 03h 10m 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?
Shively is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.5 miles from Independence and 98.3 miles from Owensboro.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 160.9 miles (259 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.9 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 10:40 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.21 one way or $52.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Independence and Owensboro, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Independence and Mostly Sunny near Owensboro.
Stop Ideas Near Shively
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 Shively.
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Owensboro. Straight-line distance: 160.92 mi (258.98 km).
#1 Independence
City in Kentucky
| Population | 28,903 |
| Coordinates | 38.9431200, -84.5441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Owensboro
The most populous city in Daviess County, Kentucky.
| Population | 60,344 |
| Coordinates | 37.7742200, -87.1133300 |
| Altitude | 120 |
| Country | United States |
End: Frederica Street (-87.113495, 37.77421)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 317 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.21 | $52.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.56 | $59.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.35 | $64.69 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.86 | $73.73 |
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.