The drive from Independence, KY to Hodgenville, KY covers 144.4 miles and takes about 2h 49m 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 76.4 miles on I 71.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.58 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
72.2 miles from Independence, 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 49m. Total distance: 144.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 49m highway drive covering 144.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 71 and I 65. The longest continuous stretch is about 76.4 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 27 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 76.4 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 11.4 miles in near I 71.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 144.4 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 11.4 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 93.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
11.4 mi into trip|~17m in|I 71
Take the exit onto I 71 toward I 71 South: Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 173
Toward I 71 South: Louisville
8
93.4 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis
9
93.6 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, In...
8
133.5 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Take the exit toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 91C-A
Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Wes...
9
134.1 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward KY 61: Elizabethtown, Hodgenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 91A
Toward KY 61: Elizabethtown, Hodgenville
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 Hodgenville, KY, road signs point toward Indianapolis, Louisville and Paducah.
Indianapolis
93.4 mi in|~1h 49m
Louisville
93.6 mi in|~1h 50m
Paducah
133.5 mi in|~2h 34m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
76.4 mi
1h 22m
I 65
38.7 mi
42m
Henry Watterson Expressway
10 mi
13m
Lincoln Parkway
9 mi
10m
Bristow Road
2.2 mi
3m
Mount Zion Road
2 mi
3m
Independence Road
1.3 mi
3m
West Main Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 76.4 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, KY and Hodgenville, KY.
1
Start on KY 17 Business; KY 2045
371 ft·9 sec·Madison Pike
2
Turn right onto KY 2045
1.3 mi·3 min·Independence Road
3
Turn right onto KY 536
2.2 mi·3 min·Bristow Road
4
Keep slight left at fork onto KY 536
0.5 mi·59 sec·Mount Zion Road
5
Enter roundabout onto KY 536
90 ft·1 sec·Mount Zion Road
6
Continue on KY 536
0.5 mi·52 sec·Mount Zion Road
7
Enter roundabout onto KY 536
129 ft·2 sec·Mount Zion Road
8
Continue on KY 536
1.0 mi·1 min·Mount Zion Road
9
Turn right onto KY 536
0.5 mi·51 sec·KY 536
Toward KY 536 East
10
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 75, I 71
11
Merge onto I 71; I 75
4.9 mi·5 min·I 71; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto I 71
72 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 71
Exit 173Toward I 71 South: LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 5Toward I 264 West: Watterson ExpresswayUse the slight left lane.
14
Continue on I 264
10.0 mi·13 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 12Toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, IndianapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, IndianapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 South: Nashville
18
Merge onto I 65
39 mi·42 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 91C-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 91AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Hodgenville
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 91AToward KY 61: Elizabethtown, HodgenvilleUse the right lane.
22
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
0.4 mi·27 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
23
Continue on KY 61
9.0 mi·10 min·Lincoln Parkway
24
Turn left onto KY 2426
0.6 mi·56 sec·West Main Street
25
Enter roundabout onto US 31E; KY 84; KY 210
195 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
26
Continue on US 31E; KY 84; KY 210
153 ft·10 sec·East Main Street
27
Arrive at destination
US 31E; KY 84; KY 210
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 72.2 miles from Independence, KY, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.4 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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.2 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hodgenville, 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 144.4 miles and 2h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 71 for about 76.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.2 mi from Independence, KY
· 1h 23m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 144.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.58 one way
$45.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.79
$49.57
premium
$4.89
$27.79
$55.58
diesel
$5.61
$31.88
$63.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.3
0
$15.16
$6.93
Efficient EV
36.1
0
$12.64
$5.78
EV Truck/SUV
57.8
0
$20.22
$9.24
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 17, 2026
Origin
Independence, KY
Evening
in Independence on Friday
Local time
8:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hodgenville, KY
Evening
in Hodgenville on Friday
Local time
8:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 8 mph13% chanceLive 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
31 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
2h 49m 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 Hodgenville, KY covers 144.4 miles and takes about 2h 49m 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 72.2 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 $22.58 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 20 significant decision points across 144.4 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 11.4 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 93.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Independence, KY and Hodgenville, KY, road signs point toward Indianapolis, Louisville and Paducah.
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.
