How far is Independence, KY from Prestonsburg, KY?
The driving distance from Independence, KY to Prestonsburg, KY is about 180.8 miles (290.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.5 miles (210 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 47m 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 23m.
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 Clark 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 Prestonsburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Prestonsburg.
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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
59.9 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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13
Take the exit slight left toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
16.6 mi · 19 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Mountain Parkway
81.7 mi · 1 hr 28 min · Mountain Parkway
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15
Continue on Old Middle Creek Road
12.4 mi · 15 min · Old Middle Creek Road
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16
Turn right onto North Lake Drive
2484 ft · 49 sec · North Lake Drive
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Lake Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Prestonsburg.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Mountain Parkway
Keep slight right to continue on Mountain Parkway
81.7 mi · 01h 28m
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 Prestonsburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Prestonsburg?
The road trip is about 180.8 miles (290.9 km) and usually takes 03h 23m 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?
Winchester is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.3 miles from Independence and 90.4 miles from Prestonsburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.5 miles (210 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.3 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 10:12 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.06 one way or $48.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Independence and Sunny near Prestonsburg.
Stop Ideas Near Winchester
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 Winchester.
Maysville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Prestonsburg. Straight-line distance: 130.48 mi (209.99 km).
#1 Independence
City in Kentucky
| Population | 28,903 |
| Coordinates | 38.9431200, -84.5441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Prestonsburg
City and county seat of Floyd County, Kentucky
| Population | 3,460 |
| Coordinates | 37.6656500, -82.7715500 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Prestonsburg (-82.77155, 37.66565)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.06 | $48.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.13 | $54.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.69 | $59.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.84 | $67.68 |
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.