How far is Independence, KY from Princeton, KY?
The driving distance from Independence, KY to Princeton, KY is about 259.3 miles (417.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 221.5 miles (356.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 44m 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 04h 52m.
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.
County seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Princeton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Princeton.
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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
71.5 mi · 1 hr 18 min
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13
Take the exit slight left toward I 264 West: Watterson Expressway
2346 ft · 45 sec
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14
Continue on Henry Watterson Expressway
10 mi · 14 min · Henry Watterson Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis
936 ft · 15 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, Indianapolis
963 ft · 15 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Nashville
1 mi · 2 min
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18
Merge slight left
38.7 mi · 42 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
1079 ft · 26 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
1286 ft · 32 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Paducah, Elizabethtown
1710 ft · 42 sec
-
22
Merge slight left onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
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23
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Western Kentucky Parkway
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24
Merge slight left
24 mi · 26 min
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward KY 293: Providence, Princeton
1864 ft · 32 sec
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26
Turn straight
1.8 mi · 3 min
-
27
Enter the roundabout toward East Market Street
7 m · 1 sec · East Market Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Princeton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Western Kentucky Parkway
Merge slight left onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi · 01h 45m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Independence and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Princeton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Princeton?
The road trip is about 259.3 miles (417.3 km) and usually takes 04h 52m 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?
Elizabethtown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 129.6 miles from Independence and 129.7 miles from Princeton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 221.5 miles (356.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.8 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 7:16 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.50 one way or $69.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Independence and Princeton, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Independence and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Princeton.
Stop Ideas Near Elizabethtown
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 Elizabethtown.
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Princeton. Straight-line distance: 221.47 mi (356.42 km).
#1 Independence
City in Kentucky
| Population | 28,903 |
| Coordinates | 38.9431200, -84.5441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Princeton
City in Caldwell County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 6,063 |
| Coordinates | 37.1092200, -87.8819600 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
End: Princeton (-87.88196, 37.10922)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 417 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.50 | $69.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.91 | $77.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.58 | $85.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $48.53 | $97.06 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.