How far is Paintsville, KY from Independence, KY?
The driving distance from Paintsville, KY to Independence, KY is about 178.5 miles (287.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122.2 miles (196.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 43m 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 21m.
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.
Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Paintsville and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paintsville and Independence.
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1
Start on Court Street
151 m · 27 sec · Court Street
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2
Turn left onto 3rd Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · 3rd Street
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3
Continue straight
13.6 mi · 15 min
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Mountain Parkway
76.9 mi · 1 hr 23 min · Mountain Parkway
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5
Merge slight left
15.5 mi · 17 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cincinnati
6.9 mi · 8 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 75 North: Cincinnati
53.7 mi · 58 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward KY 14, KY 16: Verona, Walton
1301 ft · 35 sec
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9
Turn right onto Mary Grubbs Highway
1268 ft · 29 sec · Mary Grubbs Highway
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10
Turn left onto School Road
2475 ft · 1 min · School Road
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11
Continue on Stephenson Mill Road
1400 ft · 38 sec · Stephenson Mill Road
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12
Continue on Old Beaver Road
875 ft · 28 sec · Old Beaver Road
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street
2298 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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14
Continue on Dixie Highway
3210 ft · 60 sec · Dixie Highway
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15
Turn left onto Walton Nicholson Road
2119 ft · 36 sec · Walton Nicholson Road
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16
Continue on Walton Nicholson Pike
4.1 mi · 6 min · Walton Nicholson Pike
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17
Turn left onto Madison Pike
1.3 mi · 2 min · Madison Pike
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18
Turn left onto Sidney Drive
74 m · 9 sec · Sidney Drive
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19
Continue on Madison Pike
1.3 mi · 2 min · Madison Pike
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Madison Pike
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Paintsville and Independence.
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
At the end of the road, turn right onto Mountain Parkway
76.9 mi · 01h 23m
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.
Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving Paintsville and Mostly Sunny near Independence.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Paintsville to Independence?
The road trip is about 178.5 miles (287.3 km) and usually takes 03h 21m 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 89.2 miles from Paintsville and 89.3 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122.2 miles (196.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.3 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 10:16 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.76 one way or $47.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny around Paintsville and Mostly Sunny near Independence.
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 Paintsville and Independence. Straight-line distance: 122.19 mi (196.65 km).
#1 Paintsville
City in Kentucky
| Population | 3,925 |
| Coordinates | 37.8145400, -82.8071100 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Independence
City in Kentucky
| Population | 28,903 |
| Coordinates | 38.9431200, -84.5441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
End: Independence (-84.54411, 38.94312)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.76 | $47.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.79 | $53.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.32 | $58.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.42 | $66.83 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.