Origin
Columbia, KY
Evening in Columbia on Wednesday
Local time
7:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, KY to Independence, KY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 18m
Distance
166 mi
267 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 6m
★
6 AM
3h 18m
8 AM
3h 42m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 24m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 41m
8 PM
3h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Independence, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Columbia, KY to Independence, KY covers 166 miles and takes about 3h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Campbellsville Street, Campbellsville Road, New Columbia Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.95 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83 miles from Columbia, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 18m drive with frequent turns across 166 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 65 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Campbellsville Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Columbia, KY to Independence, KY is easy. At 3h 18m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Columbia, KY to Independence, KY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Campbellsville Street | — | — |
| Campbellsville Road | — | — |
| New Columbia Road | — | — |
| US 68 | — | — |
| West Broadway | — | — |
| East Broadway Street | — | — |
| New Lebanon Road | — | — |
| New Campbellsville Road | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Campbellsville Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, KY and Independence, KY.
1
Start on Public Square
269 ft
·
5 sec
·
Public Square
2
Exit the rotary onto Campbellsville Street
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
Campbellsville Street
3
Continue on Campbellsville Road
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Campbellsville Road
4
Continue on New Columbia Road
10 mi
·
11 min
·
New Columbia Road
5
Take the exit slight right toward US 68, KY 55, KY 70: West Broadway
338 ft
·
10 sec
·
US 68, KY 55, KY 70: West Broadway
6
Merge slight left onto West Broadway
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
·
West Broadway
7
Continue on East Broadway Street
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Broadway Street
8
Continue on New Lebanon Road
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
New Lebanon Road
9
Continue on New Campbellsville Road
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
New Campbellsville Road
10
Continue on Campbellsville Road
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Campbellsville Road
11
Continue on Jane Todd Crawford Trail
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Jane Todd Crawford Trail
12
Continue on Campbellsville Road
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
Campbellsville Road
13
Turn left onto Lebanon Bypass
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Lebanon Bypass
14
Turn left
151 ft
·
2 sec
15
Keep slight right
167 ft
·
2 sec
16
Turn straight onto Veterans Memorial Highway
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
17
Turn slight right
187 ft
·
3 sec
18
Turn left
308 ft
·
4 sec
19
Turn straight onto Veterans Memorial Highway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
20
Turn left onto Springfield Road
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Springfield Road
21
Continue on Lebanon Road
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Lebanon Road
22
Continue on Western Bypass
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Western Bypass
23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Triple 5 Highway
118 ft
·
2 sec
·
Triple 5 Highway
24
Exit the roundabout onto Triple 5 Highway
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
Triple 5 Highway
25
Keep slight right to continue on Triple 5 Highway
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
Triple 5 Highway
26
Keep slight left
112 ft
·
3 sec
27
Continue on Triple 5 Highway
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Triple 5 Highway
28
Take the exit right
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
29
Merge slight left onto Bluegrass Parkway
26 mi
·
28 min
·
Bluegrass Parkway
30
Take the exit slight right toward KY 33: Versailles
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
KY 33: Versailles
31
Turn left onto Troy Pike
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Troy Pike
32
Continue on South Main Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
33
Continue on Frankfort Street
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Frankfort Street
34
Continue straight
472 ft
·
8 sec
35
Turn left onto Frankfort Road
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Frankfort Road
36
Turn right onto Midway Road
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Midway Road
37
Continue on Versailles Road
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Versailles Road
38
Continue on South Winter Street
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
South Winter Street
39
Continue on Midway Road
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Midway Road
40
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Leestown Road
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Leestown Road
41
Turn left onto Georgetown Road
276 ft
·
5 sec
·
Georgetown Road
42
Take the ramp slight right
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
43
Merge slight left
3.0 mi
·
3 min
44
Take the exit slight right toward US 62 East: Georgetown
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
US 62 East: Georgetown
45
Turn left onto Paynes Depot Road
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Paynes Depot Road
46
Turn left onto Mc Clelland Circle
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Mc Clelland Circle
47
Continue on McClelland Circle
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
McClelland Circle
48
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward McClelland Circle
184 ft
·
3 sec
·
McClelland Circle
49
Exit the roundabout onto McClelland Circle
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
McClelland Circle
50
Continue on Cherry Blossom Way
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Cherry Blossom Way
51
Take the exit left toward I 75 North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 75 North
52
Merge slight left
41 mi
·
44 min
53
Take the exit slight right toward KY 14, KY 16: Verona, Walton
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
KY 14, KY 16: Verona, Walton
54
Turn right onto Mary Grubbs Highway
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Mary Grubbs Highway
55
Turn left onto School Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
School Road
56
Continue on Stephenson Mill Road
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Stephenson Mill Road
57
Continue on Old Beaver Road
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Old Beaver Road
58
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
59
Continue on Dixie Highway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Dixie Highway
60
Turn left onto Walton Nicholson Road
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Walton Nicholson Road
61
Continue on Walton Nicholson Pike
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Walton Nicholson Pike
62
Turn left onto Madison Pike
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Pike
63
Turn left onto Sidney Drive
243 ft
·
9 sec
·
Sidney Drive
64
Continue on Madison Pike
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Pike
65
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83 miles from Columbia, KY, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 37 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Columbia, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Columbia, KY
This is one driving day of about 166 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Columbia, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83 mi from Columbia, KY · 1h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83 miles from Columbia, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Independence, KY
The final approach into Independence, KY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Independence, KY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.95 one way
$51.90 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.49 | $56.99 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.95 | $63.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.65 | $73.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.43 | $7.97 |
| Efficient EV | 41.5 | 0 | $14.52 | $6.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.24 | $10.62 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Independence, KY
Evening in Independence on Wednesday
Local time
8:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Oregon, KY
83 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 18m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Columbia, KY to Independence, KY covers 166 miles and takes about 3h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Campbellsville Street, Campbellsville Road, New Columbia Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83 miles from Columbia, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.95 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Columbia, KY to Independence, KY is easy. At 3h 18m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Columbia, KY to Independence, KY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Columbia, KY to Independence, KY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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