Origin
Independence, KY
Night in Independence on Wednesday
Local time
10:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Independence, KY to Columbia, KY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 17m
Distance
165.8 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 26m
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.
Independence, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Columbia, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Independence, KY to Columbia, KY covers 165.8 miles and takes about 3h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Walton Nicholson Pike, Walton Nicholson Road, Dixie Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.92 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
82.9 miles from Independence, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 17m drive with frequent turns across 165.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 64 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Walton Nicholson Pike 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 Independence, KY to Columbia, KY is easy. At 3h 17m 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 Independence, KY to Columbia, KY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Walton Nicholson Pike | — | — |
| Walton Nicholson Road | — | — |
| Dixie Highway | — | — |
| North Main Street | — | — |
| Old Beaver Road | — | — |
| Stephenson Mill Road | — | — |
| School Road | — | — |
| Mary Grubbs Highway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Walton Nicholson Pike
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, KY and Columbia, KY.
1
Start on Madison Pike
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Pike
2
Turn right
1.3 mi
·
2 min
3
Turn right onto Walton Nicholson Pike
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Walton Nicholson Pike
4
Continue on Walton Nicholson Road
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Walton Nicholson Road
5
Turn right onto Dixie Highway
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
·
Dixie Highway
6
Continue on North Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
7
Turn right onto Old Beaver Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Old Beaver Road
8
Continue on Stephenson Mill Road
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Stephenson Mill Road
9
Keep slight left to continue on School Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
School Road
10
Turn right onto Mary Grubbs Highway
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Mary Grubbs Highway
11
Take the ramp left toward I 75 South: Lexington
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
I 75 South: Lexington
12
Merge slight left onto I 75 South: Lexington
42 mi
·
44 min
·
I 75 South: Lexington
13
Take the exit slight right toward KY 620: Cherry Blossom Way
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
KY 620: Cherry Blossom Way
14
Turn right onto Cherry Blossom Way
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
Cherry Blossom Way
15
Continue on McClelland Circle
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
McClelland Circle
16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward McClelland Circle
187 ft
·
4 sec
·
McClelland Circle
17
Exit the roundabout onto McClelland Circle
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
McClelland Circle
18
Continue on Mc Clelland Circle
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Mc Clelland Circle
19
Turn right onto Paynes Depot Road
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Paynes Depot Road
20
Take the exit slight right
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
21
Merge slight left
3.0 mi
·
3 min
22
Take the exit slight right toward Midway, Versailles
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Midway, Versailles
23
Turn slight left
112 ft
·
7 sec
24
Turn left onto Georgetown Road
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Georgetown Road
25
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Leestown Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East Leestown Road
26
Turn left onto Midway Road
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
Midway Road
27
Continue on North Winter Street
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Winter Street
28
Continue on Versailles Road
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Versailles Road
29
Continue on Midway Road
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Midway Road
30
At the end of the road, turn left onto Frankfort Road
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Frankfort Road
31
Turn slight right onto Frankfort Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Frankfort Street
32
Continue on North Main Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
33
Continue on Troy Pike
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Troy Pike
34
Take the ramp slight right
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
35
Merge slight left onto Bluegrass Parkway
26 mi
·
28 min
·
Bluegrass Parkway
36
Take the exit slight right toward KY 555: Springfield, Lebanon
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
KY 555: Springfield, Lebanon
37
Turn left onto Triple 5 Highway
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Triple 5 Highway
38
Keep slight left
95 ft
·
2 sec
39
Keep slight right to continue on Triple 5 Highway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Triple 5 Highway
40
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Western Bypass
141 ft
·
3 sec
·
Western Bypass
41
Exit the roundabout onto Western Bypass
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Western Bypass
42
Continue on Lebanon Road
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Lebanon Road
43
Continue on Springfield Road
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Springfield Road
44
Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Highway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
45
Turn left
92 ft
·
3 sec
46
Turn right
430 ft
·
6 sec
47
Continue on Veterans Memorial Highway
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
48
Turn slight right
217 ft
·
3 sec
49
Turn left
131 ft
·
2 sec
50
Keep slight right
197 ft
·
2 sec
51
Turn straight onto Veterans Memorial Highway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
52
Turn right onto Campbellsville Road
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
Campbellsville Road
53
Continue on Jane Todd Crawford Trail
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Jane Todd Crawford Trail
54
Continue on Campbellsville Road
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Campbellsville Road
55
Continue on New Campbellsville Road
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
New Campbellsville Road
56
Continue on New Lebanon Road
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
New Lebanon Road
57
Continue on East Broadway Street
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Broadway Street
58
Continue on West Broadway
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
West Broadway
59
Continue on Greensburg Road
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
Greensburg Road
60
Turn left onto New Columbia Road
10 mi
·
11 min
·
New Columbia Road
61
Continue on Campbellsville Road
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Campbellsville Road
62
Continue on Campbellsville Street
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
Campbellsville Street
63
Enter the roundabout toward Public Square
141 ft
·
2 sec
·
Public Square
64
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 82.9 miles from Independence, KY, or about 1h 38m 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 36 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.9 miles or 1h 38m 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 Columbia, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Independence, 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 Independence, KY
This is one driving day of about 165.8 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Independence, 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 82.9 mi from Independence, KY · 1h 38m 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.9 miles from Independence, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Columbia, KY
The final approach into Columbia, 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 Columbia, 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
$25.92 one way
$51.84 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.46 | $56.92 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.91 | $63.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.61 | $73.21 |
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 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 | 49.7 | 0 | $17.41 | $7.96 |
| Efficient EV | 41.5 | 0 | $14.51 | $6.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.3 | 0 | $23.21 | $10.61 |
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
Columbia, KY
Night in Columbia on Wednesday
Local time
9:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 17m 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 Independence, KY to Columbia, KY covers 165.8 miles and takes about 3h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Walton Nicholson Pike, Walton Nicholson Road, Dixie Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.9 miles from Independence, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.92 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 Independence, KY to Columbia, KY is easy. At 3h 17m 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 Independence, KY to Columbia, KY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Independence, KY to Columbia, KY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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