The drive from Hodgenville, KY to Independence, KY covers 143.2 miles and takes about 2h 45m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 71, I 65, Henry Watterson Expressway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 76.6 miles on I 71.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.39 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
71.6 miles from Hodgenville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 143.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 45m highway drive covering 143.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 71 and I 65. The longest continuous stretch is about 76.6 miles on I 71.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 76.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 48.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 143.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 48.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
48.4 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 131-A
Toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport
8
49.1 mi into trip|~55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 131A
Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
8
59.9 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 23A
Toward I 71 North: Cincinnati
8
131.2 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|I 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71 toward I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati
7
136.8 mi into trip|~2h 33m in
Take the exit toward KY 536: Mount Zion Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 178
Toward KY 536: Mount Zion Road
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hodgenville, KY and Independence, KY, road signs point toward Louisville and Airport.
Louisville
9.7 mi in|~11m
Airport
48.4 mi in|~54m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
76.6 mi
1h 22m
I 65
37.9 mi
41m
Henry Watterson Expressway
10 mi
13m
Lincoln Parkway
9 mi
10m
Mount Zion Road
2.3 mi
4m
Bristow Road
2.2 mi
4m
Independence Road
1.3 mi
3m
West Main Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 76.6 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hodgenville, KY and Independence, KY.
1
Start on US 31E; KY 84; KY 210
17 ft·0 sec·East Main Street
2
Enter roundabout onto West Main Street
182 ft·3 sec·West Main Street
3
Continue on West Main Street
0.6 mi·55 sec·West Main Street
4
Turn right onto KY 61
9.0 mi·10 min·Lincoln Parkway
5
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
362 ft·4 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
7
Merge onto I 65
38 mi·41 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·58 sec
Exit 131-AToward I 264: Watterson Expressway, AirportUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 131AToward I 264 East: Watterson ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 264
10 mi·13 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 23AToward I 71 North: CincinnatiUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 71
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
5.6 mi·5 min·I 71
Toward I 75 North, I 71 North: CincinnatiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 178Toward KY 536: Mount Zion RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
283 ft·6 sec
16
Continue on KY 536
1.3 mi·2 min·Mount Zion Road
Use the left lane.
17
Enter roundabout onto KY 536
122 ft·2 sec·Mount Zion Road
18
Continue on KY 536
0.5 mi·51 sec·Mount Zion Road
19
Enter roundabout onto KY 536
108 ft·2 sec·Mount Zion Road
20
Continue on KY 536
0.5 mi·55 sec·Mount Zion Road
21
Continue on KY 536
2.2 mi·4 min·Bristow Road
22
At end of road, turn left onto KY 2045
1.3 mi·3 min·Independence Road
23
At end of road, turn left onto KY 17 Business; KY 2045
371 ft·7 sec·Madison Pike
24
Arrive at destination
KY 17 Business; KY 2045
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.6 miles from Hodgenville, KY, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.6 miles.
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 32 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.6 miles or 1h 23m 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 12m
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 Hodgenville, 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 Hodgenville, KY
This is one driving day of about 143.2 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Hodgenville, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 76.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.6 mi from Hodgenville, KY
· 1h 23m into the drive
The midpoint is around 71.6 miles from Hodgenville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.6 miles.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
National Historical Park
For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. His early life on Kentucky's frontier shaped...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.39 one way
$44.78 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.58
$49.16
premium
$4.89
$27.56
$55.12
diesel
$5.61
$31.62
$63.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43
0
$15.04
$6.87
Efficient EV
35.8
0
$12.53
$5.73
EV Truck/SUV
57.3
0
$20.05
$9.16
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hodgenville, KY
Afternoon
in Hodgenville on Friday
Local time
1:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Independence, KY
Afternoon
in Independence on Friday
Local time
1:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 45m 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 Hodgenville, KY to Independence, KY covers 143.2 miles and takes about 2h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 71, I 65, Henry Watterson Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.6 miles from Hodgenville, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.39 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 143.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 48.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Hodgenville, KY and Independence, KY, road signs point toward Louisville and Airport.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
