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Trip from Independence, KY to Crittenden, KY

Drive Time

23m

Distance

15.3 mi

25 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$2

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 6 min
4 AM
0h 22m ★
6 AM
0h 24m
8 AM
0h 28m
10 AM
0h 25m
12 PM
0h 25m
3 PM
0h 25m
5 PM
0h 28m
8 PM
0h 23m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Independence, KY, KY

Independence, KY

Polina Zimmerman

Downtown Crittenden, KY, KY

Crittenden, KY

Vietnam Hidden Light

Trip Overview

The drive from Independence, KY to Crittenden, KY covers 15.3 miles and takes about 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 75, Walton Nicholson Pike, KY 17 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 4.8 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.32 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

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

7.7 miles from Independence, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Independence, KY to Crittenden, KY covers 15.3 miles and takes about 23m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 4.8 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

941 ft 797 ft

Total Climb

266 ft

Total Descent

229 ft

Highest Point

941 ft

~3.2 mi in

Elevation Range

144 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in near KY 16 / Walton Nicholson Pike.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 15.3 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 2.6 miles (KY 16 / Walton Nicholson Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles (KY 14; KY 16 / Mary Grubbs Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
2.6 mi into trip | ~4m in | KY 16 / Walton Nicholson Pike

Turn right onto KY 16 / Walton Nicholson Pike

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
9.1 mi into trip | ~15m in | KY 14; KY 16 / Mary Grubbs Highway

Turn right onto KY 14; KY 16 / Mary Grubbs Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
9.4 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the ramp toward I 75 South: Lexington

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 75 South: Lexington
7
14.5 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward KY 491: Crittenden

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 166 Toward KY 491: Crittenden
6
15.2 mi into trip | ~23m in | US 25; KY 491 / South Main Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 25; KY 491 / South Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 4.8 mi 5m
Walton Nicholson Pike 4.1 mi 6m
KY 17 1.3 mi 2m
Madison Pike 1.3 mi 2m
Dixie Highway 0.6 mi <1m
School Road 0.5 mi 1m
North Main Street 0.4 mi 1m
Walton Nicholson Road 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 4.8 mi, about 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Independence, KY and Crittenden, KY.

1

Start on KY 17 Business; KY 2045

1.3 mi · 2 min · Madison Pike
2

Turn right onto KY 17

1.3 mi · 2 min · KY 17
3

Turn right onto KY 16

4.1 mi · 6 min · Walton Nicholson Pike
Use the right lane.
4

Continue on KY 16

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Walton Nicholson Road
5

Turn right onto US 25; KY 16

0.6 mi · 54 sec · Dixie Highway
Use the right lane.
6

Continue on US 25; KY 16

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 at fork onto School Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · School Road
10

Turn right onto KY 14; KY 16

0.4 mi · 42 sec · Mary Grubbs Highway
Use the right lane.
11

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 75 South: Lexington Use the left lane.
12

Merge onto I 75

4.8 mi · 5 min · I 75
Toward I 75 South: Lexington
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Exit 166 Toward KY 491: Crittenden Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn left onto KY 491

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Violet Road
15

At end of road, turn right onto US 25; KY 491

0.2 mi · 14 sec · South Main Street
Use the right lane.
16

Arrive at destination

US 25; KY 491

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 7.7 miles from Independence, KY, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 4.8 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 15.3 miles or 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 7.7 miles or 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crittenden, 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 15.3 miles and 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Independence, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 4.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 7.7 mi from Independence, KY · 12m into the drive

Downtown Florence, KY, KY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Florence, KY

8 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

Florence, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 15.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Florence, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 7.7 miles from Independence, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Crittenden, KY

The final approach into Crittenden, 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 Crittenden, 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

$2.32 one way

$4.65 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 5 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $2.56 $5.12
premium $4.80 $2.89 $5.78
diesel $5.64 $3.40 $6.80

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$27–$52

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 5.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 4.6 0 $1.61 $0.73
Efficient EV 3.8 0 $1.34 $0.61
EV Truck/SUV 6.1 0 $2.14 $0.98

Gas CO2

5 kg

EV CO2

2 kg (60% 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 data refreshed 8 hours ago

Origin

Independence, KY

Evening in Independence on Sunday

Local time

6:38 PM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Mostly Sunny

S 8 to 16 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 9:33AM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 4:14AM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Destination

Crittenden, KY

Evening in Crittenden on Sunday

Local time

6:38 PM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Mostly Sunny

S 6 to 15 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 9:33AM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 4:14AM EDT by NWS Louisville KY

Along the Route

62°F

Florence, KY

8 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

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

23m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 Crittenden, KY covers 15.3 miles and takes about 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Walton Nicholson Pike, KY 17. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.7 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 $2.32 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 15.3 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 2.6 miles (KY 16 / Walton Nicholson Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles (KY 14; KY 16 / Mary Grubbs Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Independence, KY to Crittenden, KY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Crittenden, KY to Independence, KY

Plan the drive back the other way.

15.2 mi 23m

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