Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
164.5 mi
265 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
The drive from Leitchfield, KY to Independence, KY covers 164.5 miles and takes about 2h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Public Square, South Main Street, Western Kentucky Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.42 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
82.3 miles from Leitchfield, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 37m drive with frequent turns across 164.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Public Square | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Western Kentucky Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 65 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 264 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 264 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Henry Watterson Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 71 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Leitchfield, KY and Independence, KY.
Start on Public Square
Exit the roundabout onto Public Square
Turn slight right onto South Main Street
Take the ramp left
Merge slight left onto Western Kentucky Parkway
Take the exit slight right toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport
Keep slight right to continue on I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Henry Watterson Expressway
Keep slight right to continue on I 71 North: Cincinnati
Merge slight left
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati
Take the exit slight right toward KY 536: Mount Zion Road
Keep slight right
Continue on Mount Zion Road
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mount Zion Road
Exit the roundabout onto Mount Zion Road
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mount Zion Road
Exit the roundabout onto Mount Zion Road
Continue on Bristow Road
At the end of the road, turn left onto Independence Road
At the end of the road, turn left onto Madison Pike
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.3 miles or 1h 18m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, KY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Leitchfield, 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 Leitchfield, KY
This is one driving day of about 164.5 miles and 2h 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.3 mi from Leitchfield, KY · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 82.3 miles from Leitchfield, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Independence, 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 Independence, KY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$24.42 one way
$48.84 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $27.54 | $55.09 |
| premium | $4.65 | $30.14 | $60.28 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $34.35 | $68.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.4 | 0 | $17.27 | $7.90 |
| Efficient EV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.39 | $6.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.8 | 0 | $23.03 | $10.53 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Leitchfield on Saturday
Local time
11:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Independence on Saturday
Local time
12:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
61°F
Louisville, KY
82 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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