How far is Independence, KY from Russellville, KY?

The driving distance from Independence, KY to Russellville, KY is about 234.4 miles (377.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 193.2 miles (310.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
234.41 mi
04h 26m
Flight
193.2 mi
310.92 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Independence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
193.2 mi
Kilometers
310.92 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
234.41 mi
Kilometers
377.25 km
Drive Time
04h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Russellville
Sun, Apr 19, 4:43 AM CDT
Return by in Independence
Sun, Apr 19, 10:09 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-04-19T01:16
Arrive Russellville
Sun, Apr 19, 5:43 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:08 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Independence
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Lebanon Junction
KY

City in Bullitt County, Kentucky, United States of America

From Independence
117.2 mi
02h 13m
To Russellville
117.2 mi
02h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph W
Destination
63°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 12 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Madison Pike

    113 m · 10 sec · Madison Pike

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Independence Road

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Independence Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Bristow Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Bristow Road

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on Mount Zion Road

    2467 ft · 59 sec · Mount Zion Road

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Mount Zion Road

    27 m · 2 sec · Mount Zion Road

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto Mount Zion Road

    2604 ft · 52 sec · Mount Zion Road

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Mount Zion Road

    39 m · 3 sec · Mount Zion Road

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto Mount Zion Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · Mount Zion Road

  9. 9

    Turn right onto KY 536 East

    2661 ft · 51 sec

  10. 10

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 75, I 71

    2443 ft · 60 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    4.9 mi · 5 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 71 South: Louisville

    71.5 mi · 1 hr 18 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight left toward I 264 West: Watterson Expressway

    2346 ft · 45 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on Henry Watterson Expressway

    10 mi · 14 min · Henry Watterson Expressway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis

    936 ft · 15 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, Indianapolis

    963 ft · 15 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Nashville

    1 mi · 2 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    109.4 mi · 1 hr 58 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward I 165, KY 9007: Owensboro, Scottsville

    1272 ft · 22 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on I 165: Owensboro

    2931 ft · 50 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    4.3 mi · 5 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward US 68, KY 80: Russellville, Bowling Green

    1843 ft · 45 sec

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Russellville Road

    8.2 mi · 10 min · Russellville Road

  24. 24

    Continue on Bowling Green Road

    11.8 mi · 13 min · Bowling Green Road

  25. 25

    Continue on East Jefferson Davis Highway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · East Jefferson Davis Highway

  26. 26

    Continue on Bowling Green Road

    2964 ft · 52 sec · Bowling Green Road

  27. 27

    Continue on Franklin Street

    765 ft · 13 sec · Franklin Street

  28. 28

    Continue on Franklin Road

    1133 ft · 19 sec · Franklin Road

  29. 29

    Continue on Franklin Street

    114 m · 7 sec · Franklin Street

  30. 30

    Continue on East 4th Street

    3170 ft · 54 sec · East 4th Street

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 4th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
31 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
3 merges, 10 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 65 South
110 mi · 47%
I 71 South
71.5 mi · 31%
Bowling Green Road
12.4 mi · 5%
Henry Watterson Expressway
9.99 mi · 4%
Russellville Road
8.24 mi · 4%
I 75
5.35 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 65 South

Merge slight left

109 mi · 01h 58m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 26m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.2 mi
193.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lebanon Junction
02h 13m from Independence
Leave By
8:08 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Independence and Chance Rain Showers near Russellville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 234.4 miles (377.2 km) and usually takes 04h 26m 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?

Lebanon Junction is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.2 miles from Independence and 117.2 miles from Russellville.

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

The direct path is about 193.2 miles (310.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.2 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 8:08 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.19 one way or $62.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.5 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Independence and Russellville, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Independence and Chance Rain Showers near Russellville.

Stop Ideas Near Lebanon Junction

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lebanon Junction, 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 Lebanon Junction.

BUS

Louisville, Kentucky

47 mi away
720 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Russellville. Straight-line distance: 193.2 mi (310.92 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

City in Kentucky

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

#2 Russellville

City in Kentucky, USA

Population7,167
Coordinates36.8453200, -86.8872200
Altitude181
CountryUnited States
Start: Independence (-84.54411, 38.94312)
End: Russellville (-86.88722, 36.84532)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 377 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.27 gal
31.31 L · about $31.19
Round trip
$62.37
16.54 gal · 62.62 L
Estimated CO2
73.5 kg one way
Round trip: 147 kg / 324 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $31.19 $62.37
Mid-grade $4.25 $35.17 $70.34
Premium $4.65 $38.49 $76.98
Diesel $5.30 $43.86 $87.73

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 · Apr 19, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Independence, KY and Russellville, KY. The current time in Independence is 01:16:57, although it is 00:16:57 in Russellville.

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.