How far is Independence, KY from Saint Matthews, KY?
The driving distance from Independence, KY to Saint Matthews, KY is about 87.5 miles (140.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76.7 miles (123.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 43m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in Carroll County, Kentucky, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Saint Matthews.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Saint Matthews.
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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
1.5 mi · 2 min · Henry Watterson Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward KY 1447: Westport Road
1347 ft · 33 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on KY 1447 West
99 m · 10 sec
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17
Turn straight onto Westport Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Westport Road
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18
Continue on Westport Road
1542 ft · 32 sec · Westport Road
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19
Turn left onto Saint Matthews Avenue
794 ft · 20 sec · Saint Matthews Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Shelbyville Road
1053 ft · 28 sec · Shelbyville Road
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Lexington Road
94 m · 17 sec · Lexington Road
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22
Turn sharp left onto Frankfort Avenue
130 m · 12 sec · Frankfort Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Shelbyville Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Saint Matthews.
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
71.5 mi · 01h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Independence and Sunny near Saint Matthews.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Saint Matthews?
The road trip is about 87.5 miles (140.8 km) and usually takes 01h 43m 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?
Worthville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.7 miles from Independence and 43.8 miles from Saint Matthews.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76.7 miles (123.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.65 one way or $23.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Independence and Sunny near Saint Matthews.
Stop Ideas Near Worthville
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 Worthville.
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
Louisville, Kentucky
Cincinnati, OH
Maysville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Saint Matthews. Straight-line distance: 76.67 mi (123.39 km).
#1 Independence
City in Kentucky
| Population | 28,903 |
| Coordinates | 38.9431200, -84.5441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Saint Matthews
City
| Population | 17,985 |
| Coordinates | 38.2528500, -85.6557900 |
| Altitude | 168 |
| Country | United States |
End: Saint Matthews (-85.65579, 38.25285)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 141 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.65 | $23.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.14 | $26.28 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.38 | $28.76 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.39 | $32.78 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.