Drive Time
5h 46m
Distance
307.5 mi
495 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
Photo: Vietnam Hidden Light
The drive from Independence, KY to Hendron, KY covers 307.5 miles and takes about 5h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Independence Road, Bristow Road, Mount Zion Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.71 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
153.7 miles from Independence, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 46m drive with frequent turns across 307.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 46m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Independence, KY to Hendron, KY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Independence Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Bristow Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Mount Zion Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| KY 536 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 75 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 71 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 264 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Henry Watterson Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, KY and Hendron, KY.
Start on Madison Pike
Turn right onto Independence Road
Turn right onto Bristow Road
Keep slight left to continue on Mount Zion Road
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Mount Zion Road
Exit the roundabout onto Mount Zion Road
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Mount Zion Road
Exit the roundabout onto Mount Zion Road
Turn right onto KY 536 East
Take the ramp slight left toward I 75, I 71
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 71 South: Louisville
Take the exit slight left toward I 264 West: Watterson Expressway
Continue on Henry Watterson Expressway
Take the exit slight right toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis
Keep slight left to continue on I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, Indianapolis
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Nashville
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
Keep slight right to continue on US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
Keep slight left to continue on Paducah, Elizabethtown
Merge slight left onto Western Kentucky Parkway
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
Keep slight right
Take the exit slight right toward US 62, US 45: Paducah, Mayfield
Turn right onto Lone Oak Road
Turn right
Turn left onto Elmdale Road
At the end of the road, turn right onto Old Mayfield Road
Turn right onto Summit Drive
Turn left onto At Massa Drive
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.7 miles or 2h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hendron, KY than in the middle of the route.
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 307.5 miles and 5h 46m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 153.7 mi from Independence, KY · 2h 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 153.7 miles from Independence, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Hendron, 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 Hendron, KY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$46.71 one way
$93.41 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $51.49 | $102.98 |
| premium | $4.80 | $58.05 | $116.10 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $68.32 | $136.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.3 | 1 | $32.29 | $14.76 |
| Efficient EV | 76.9 | 0 | $26.91 | $12.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123 | 1 | $43.05 | $19.68 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Independence on Sunday
Local time
7:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Hendron on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
61°F
Louisville, KY
154 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Independence, KY or browse trips ending in Hendron, KY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse KY road trips.
Explore maps for Independence, KY or Hendron, KY on MapSof.net.
