How far is Owensboro, KY from Independence, KY?
The driving distance from Owensboro, KY to Independence, KY is about 196.7 miles (316.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 160.9 miles (259 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 11m.
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.
The nineteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Louisville metropolitan area.
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 Owensboro and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Owensboro and Independence.
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1
Start on Frederica Street
604 ft · 19 sec · Frederica Street
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2
Turn left onto West 4th Street
4.1 mi · 7 min · West 4th Street
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3
Take the ramp left
1129 ft · 28 sec
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4
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 3 min
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5
Keep slight right
28.2 mi · 36 min
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6
Take the exit right
3135 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
64.5 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 265 East, SR 62 East
6.4 mi · 8 min
-
9
Continue straight
7.4 mi · 9 min
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10
Continue on Gene Snyder Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Gene Snyder Freeway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
1556 ft · 38 sec
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12
Merge slight left
67.3 mi · 1 hr 12 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati
5.6 mi · 6 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward KY 536: Mount Zion Road
1763 ft · 43 sec
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15
Keep slight right
86 m · 7 sec
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16
Continue on Mount Zion Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Mount Zion Road
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mount Zion Road
37 m · 3 sec · Mount Zion Road
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Mount Zion Road
2573 ft · 52 sec · Mount Zion Road
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mount Zion Road
33 m · 2 sec · Mount Zion Road
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20
Exit the roundabout onto Mount Zion Road
2470 ft · 56 sec · Mount Zion Road
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21
Continue on Bristow Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Bristow Road
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22
At the end of the road, turn left onto Independence Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Independence Road
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23
At the end of the road, turn left onto Madison Pike
113 m · 7 sec · Madison Pike
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Madison Pike
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Owensboro and Independence.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 71 North
Merge slight left
67.3 mi · 01h 12m
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 Owensboro and Sunny near Independence.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Owensboro to Independence?
The road trip is about 196.7 miles (316.5 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?
Louisville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.2 miles from Owensboro and 98.4 miles from Independence.
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 35.8 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.17 one way or $52.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Owensboro and Independence, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Owensboro and Sunny near Independence.
Stop Ideas Near Louisville
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 Louisville.
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Owensboro and Independence. Straight-line distance: 160.92 mi (258.98 km).
#1 Owensboro
The most populous city in Daviess County, Kentucky.
| Population | 60,344 |
| Coordinates | 37.7742200, -87.1133300 |
| Altitude | 120 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Independence
City in Kentucky
| Population | 28,903 |
| Coordinates | 38.9431200, -84.5441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
End: Madison Pike (-84.544419, 38.943136)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 316 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 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 | $26.17 | $52.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.52 | $59.03 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.30 | $64.60 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.81 | $73.62 |
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.