Origin
Lexington, KY
Morning in Lexington on Friday
Local time
11:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lexington, KY to Independence, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 33m
Distance
74.9 mi
121 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 39m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Independence, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 74.9-mile drive from Lexington, KY to Independence, KY, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 33 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-75, this route is well-suited as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, it's an economical option for a short excursion. The highway-focused nature of this drive means you'll spend most of your time on faster roads, making it a practical choice for efficient travel within the Southeast region. There are no planned stops, so you can push through to your destination or add your own points of interest along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.5 miles from Lexington, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 74.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for about 75% of this route. The majority of your time will be spent on I-75, offering a consistent pace for the longest stretch of 53.7 miles. While I-75 provides efficiency, the inclusion of Walton Nicholson Pike and Newtown Pike means you'll encounter some local road segments, adding a slight variation to the drive. This mix suggests a journey that begins with interstate speed and may transition to slightly more varied road conditions as you approach your destination. Overall, it's a route designed for steady progress rather than winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 53.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Walton Nicholson Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Gainesway Drive.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.9 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Gainesway Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Greentree Road): Navigation decision point; at 11.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Gainesway Drive
Turn right onto Gainesway Drive
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Greentree Road
Turn right onto Greentree Road
Navigation decision point
7
11.7 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 75
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 North: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Cincinnati
8
65.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward KY 14, KY 16: Verona, Walton
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 171
Toward KY 14, KY 16: Verona, Walton
6
65.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
School Road
Turn left onto School Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lexington, KY and Independence, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati and Walton.
Cincinnati
9.2 mi in
|
~16m
Walton
65.4 mi in
|
~1h 16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 53.7 mi | 57m |
| Walton Nicholson Pike | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Newtown Pike | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Madison Pike | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| I 64 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Chinoe Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Tates Creek Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Oliver Lewis Way | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 53.7 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington, KY and Independence, KY.
1
Start on Coldstream Drive
261 ft
·
11 sec
·
Coldstream Drive
2
Turn right onto Gainesway Drive
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Gainesway Drive
3
Turn right onto Greentree Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Greentree Road
4
Continue on Chinoe Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Chinoe Road
5
Turn left onto Alumni Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Alumni Drive
6
Turn right onto Tates Creek Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Tates Creek Road
7
Continue on East High Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
East High Street
8
Turn left onto Euclid Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Euclid Avenue
9
Continue on Avenue of Champions
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Avenue of Champions
10
Continue on Winslow Street
421 ft
·
15 sec
·
Winslow Street
11
Turn left onto South Upper Street
227 ft
·
9 sec
·
South Upper Street
12
Turn right onto Bolivar Street
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Bolivar Street
13
Continue on Oliver Lewis Way
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Oliver Lewis Way
14
Continue on US 25; KY 922
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Newtown Pike
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cincinnati
16
Merge onto I 64; I 75
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 64; I 75
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
54 mi
·
57 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75 North: Cincinnati
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 171
Toward KY 14, KY 16: Verona, Walton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto KY 14; KY 16
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Mary Grubbs Highway
20
Turn left onto School Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
School Road
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on Stephenson Mill Road
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Stephenson Mill Road
22
Continue on Old Beaver Road
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Old Beaver Road
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 25; KY 16
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
24
Continue on US 25; KY 16
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
Dixie Highway
25
Turn left onto KY 16
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Walton Nicholson Road
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on KY 16
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Walton Nicholson Pike
27
Turn left onto KY 17
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Pike
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto Sidney Drive
243 ft
·
8 sec
·
Sidney Drive
29
Continue on Madison Pike
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Madison Pike
30
Arrive at destination
KY 17 Business; KY 2045
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 33 minutes, this trip offers flexibility. You can depart at any time that suits your schedule, and with no mandatory stops, you control the pace entirely. The estimated fuel cost of $12 means you likely won't need to worry about frequent refueling, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay attention to traffic, especially as you approach more populated areas, as congestion can impact your arrival time. A good tip for this route is to check your GPS for real-time traffic updates on I-75 before you depart to ensure the smoothest possible journey.
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 37.5 miles from Lexington, KY, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.7 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.5 miles or 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lexington, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lexington, KY
This is one driving day of about 74.9 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Lexington, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 53.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.5 mi from Lexington, KY · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.5 miles from Lexington, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Independence, KY
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.71 one way
$23.42 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.86 | $25.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.41 | $28.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.54 | $33.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.5 | 0 | $7.86 | $3.60 |
| Efficient EV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.55 | $3.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30 | 0 | $10.49 | $4.79 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Independence, KY
Morning in Independence on Friday
Local time
11:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Williamstown, KY
37 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
21 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 33m 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 Lexington, KY to Independence, KY covers 74.9 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Walton Nicholson Pike, Newtown Pike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.5 miles from Lexington, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.71 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.9 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Gainesway Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Greentree Road): Navigation decision point; at 11.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Lexington, KY and Independence, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati and Walton.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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