How far is Russell, KY from Independence, KY?
The driving distance from Russell, KY to Independence, KY is about 138.9 miles (223.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 103.8 miles (167 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 07m 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 03m.
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.
Home rule-class city in Mason County, Kentucky, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Russell and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Russell and Independence.
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1
Start on Gesling Road
609 ft · 29 sec · Gesling Road
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2
Turn straight onto Seaton Drive
1489 ft · 47 sec · Seaton Drive
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Powell Lane
1.4 km · 2 min · Powell Lane
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4
Continue on Lexington Avenue
2769 ft · 1 min · Lexington Avenue
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5
Continue on Raceland Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Raceland Avenue
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6
Continue on Pond Run Road
1346 ft · 29 sec · Pond Run Road
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7
Turn left onto US Highway 23
25.3 mi · 30 min · US Highway 23
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8
Continue on Carl Perkins Memorial Bridge
1.6 mi · 2 min · Carl Perkins Memorial Bridge
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9
Turn straight
4.4 mi · 6 min
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10
Keep slight left
25.4 mi · 38 min
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11
Turn left onto James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
55 mi · 1 hr 9 min · James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 275 South: Kentucky
2647 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Circle Freeway
10 mi · 11 min · Circle Freeway
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14
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
7 mi · 8 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward KY 17: Independence, Covington
1847 ft · 48 sec
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16
Turn right onto Madison Pike
5.2 mi · 8 min · Madison Pike
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17
Turn right onto Pelly Road
1516 ft · 30 sec · Pelly Road
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18
Continue straight
1.1 mi · 2 min
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Madison Pike
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Russell 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.
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Turn left onto James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
55 mi · 01h 09m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Russell and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Independence.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Russell to Independence?
The road trip is about 138.9 miles (223.5 km) and usually takes 03h 03m 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?
Dover is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.3 miles from Russell and 69.5 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 103.8 miles (167 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.1 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 10:52 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.48 one way or $36.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Russell and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Independence.
Stop Ideas Near Dover
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 Dover.
Maysville
Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
South Portsmouth–South Shore station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Russell and Independence. Straight-line distance: 103.78 mi (167.02 km).
#1 Russell
City in the U.
| Population | 3,207 |
| Coordinates | 38.5173000, -82.6976600 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| 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: 223 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.48 | $36.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.84 | $41.68 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.80 | $45.61 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.99 | $51.98 |
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 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.