The drive from Independence, KY to Hazard, KY covers 179.5 miles and takes about 3h 25m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, KY 15, Mountain Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.9 miles on I 75.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.06 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
89.8 miles from Independence, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 179.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 25m highway drive covering 179.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and KY 15. The longest continuous stretch is about 59.9 miles on I 75.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 59.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and KY 15. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.1 miles in near KY 14; KY 16 / Mary Grubbs Highway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 179.5 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 9.1 miles (KY 14; KY 16 / Mary Grubbs Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
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
6
9.7 mi into trip|~16m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75 toward I 75 South: Lexington
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 South: Lexington
8
69.6 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|I 64
Take the exit onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 111
Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
6
86.2 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|Mountain Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Mountain Parkway toward Mountain Parkway east , Prestonsburg, Campton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Mountain Parkway east , Prestonsburg, Ca...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Independence, KY and Hazard, KY, road signs point toward Ashland, Mountain Parkway East, Prestonsburg and Campton.
Ashland
69.6 mi in|~1h 21m|via I 64
Mountain Parkway East
86.2 mi in|~1h 39m|via Mountain Parkway
Prestonsburg
86.2 mi in|~1h 39m|via Mountain Parkway
Campton
86.2 mi in|~1h 39m|via Mountain Parkway
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
59.9 mi
1h 4m
KY 15
45.3 mi
51m
Mountain Parkway
42.6 mi
45m
I 64
16.6 mi
18m
Walton Nicholson Pike
4.1 mi
6m
Park Road
3.2 mi
3m
KY 17
1.3 mi
2m
Madison Pike
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 59.9 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, KY and Hazard, 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: LexingtonUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 75
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 75
Toward I 75 South: LexingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto I 64
17 mi·18 min·I 64
Exit 111Toward I 64 East: Winchester, AshlandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto Mountain Parkway
43 mi·45 min·Mountain Parkway
Toward Mountain Parkway east , Prestonsburg, Campton
15
Take the exit onto KY 15 Spur
1.2 mi·1 min·KY 15 Spur
16
Continue on KY 15
520 ft·6 sec·KY 15
Use the straight lane.
17
Merge onto KY 15
17 mi·19 min·KY 15
18
At end of road, turn left onto KY 15; KY 30
3.2 mi·3 min·Park Road
19
Continue on KY 15
27 mi·30 min·KY 15
20
Continue on KY 15
1.4 mi·1 min·KY 15
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
22
At end of road, turn left onto KY 451
0.4 mi·37 sec·KY 451
23
Continue on KY 15 Business
0.1 mi·12 sec·Memorial Drive
24
Turn right onto KY 1762
0.2 mi·33 sec·L O Davis Drive
25
Turn left onto Laurel Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·Laurel Street
26
Arrive at destination
Laurel Street
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 89.8 miles from Independence, KY, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.9 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 39 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.8 miles or 1h 43m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hazard, 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 179.5 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 59.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.8 mi from Independence, KY
· 1h 43m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Camp Nelson National Monument
National Monument
The US Army established Camp Nelson as a fortified supply depot in April 1863. Over the next 3 years, the site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for United States Colored Troops a...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 68.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.06 one way
$56.13 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.81
$61.62
premium
$4.89
$34.54
$69.09
diesel
$5.61
$39.63
$79.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.9
0
$18.85
$8.62
Efficient EV
44.9
0
$15.71
$7.18
EV Truck/SUV
71.8
0
$25.13
$11.49
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Independence, KY
Afternoon
in Independence on Friday
Local time
1:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hazard, KY
Afternoon
in Hazard on Friday
Local time
1:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Jeffersonville, KY
90 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
26 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 25m 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 Hazard, KY covers 179.5 miles and takes about 3h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, KY 15, Mountain Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.8 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 $28.06 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 179.5 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 9.1 miles (KY 14; KY 16 / Mary Grubbs Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Independence, KY and Hazard, KY, road signs point toward Ashland, Mountain Parkway East, Prestonsburg and Campton.
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.
