Origin
Newport, KY
Late night in Newport on Thursday
Local time
1:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Newport, KY to Independence, KY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
25m
Distance
17 mi
27 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 23m
★
6 AM
0h 25m
8 AM
0h 29m
10 AM
0h 27m
12 PM
0h 26m
3 PM
0h 27m
5 PM
0h 29m
8 PM
0h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Newport, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
Independence, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This short 17-mile drive from Newport, KY to Independence, KY takes about 25 minutes and is perfect for a single-day adventure. You'll primarily navigate Madison Pike and Ronald Reagan Highway, with a portion on I-471, making it a mix of local roads and highway. With a budget of around $3 for fuel, this trip is very economical. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, so it's best suited for those who enjoy an engaging local route rather than a simple interstate cruise. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region of Kentucky, offering a familiar feel throughout your journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
8.5 miles from Newport, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" on this route, with only 29% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 5.2 miles on Madison Pike, so be prepared for frequent adjustments to your steering and speed. This isn't a monotonous highway cruise; instead, it's a more engaging experience that keeps you connected to the local landscape. The road profile suggests a dynamic drive with varied turns and transitions between different types of roadways.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Madison Pike is the longest continuous segment at about 5.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Washington Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 17 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 25m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Washington Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (KY 8 Business / Dave Cowens Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Washington Avenue
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
KY 8 Business / Dave Cowens Drive
At end of road, turn right onto KY 8 Business / Dave Cowens Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
4.8 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward I 275 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward I 275 West
8
10.1 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward KY 17: Independence, Covington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 80
Toward KY 17: Independence, Covington
6
10.4 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
KY 17 / Madison Pike
Turn right onto KY 17 / Madison Pike toward Independence
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward Independence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Newport, KY to Independence, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Covington along the way.
Covington
10.1 mi in
|
~13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Madison Pike | 5.2 mi | 8m |
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| I 471 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| KY 17 Business | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Pelly Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West 5th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Washington Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Dave Cowens Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Madison Pike
— 5.2 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newport, KY and Independence, KY.
1
Start on West 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
West 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Washington Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
At end of road, turn right onto KY 8 Business
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Dave Cowens Drive
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 471 South
5
Merge onto I 471
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 471
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 275 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 275
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 80
Toward KY 17: Independence, Covington
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn right onto KY 17
5.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Madison Pike
Toward Independence
Use the left / right lanes.
10
Turn right onto KY 17 Business
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Pelly Road
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on KY 17 Business
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
KY 17 Business
12
Arrive at destination
KY 17 Business; KY 2045
Trip Plan
Since this trip is only 17 miles and takes about 25 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility in when you depart. There are no designated stops mentioned, so feel free to make your own as you go. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, though the estimated cost is only $3, ensuring you have enough for the short distance. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to the turns on Madison Pike, as it constitutes your longest stretch and will require navigation adjustments.
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 8.5 miles from Newport, KY, or about 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.2 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.5 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Newport, KY.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Newport, KY
This is one driving day of about 17 miles and 25m.
At 17 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Madison Pike for about 5.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.5 mi from Newport, KY · 11m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.5 miles from Newport, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Independence, KY
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Independence, KY if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.66 one way
$5.32 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $2.92 | $5.84 |
| premium | $4.89 | $3.27 | $6.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.75 | $7.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.78 | $0.82 |
| Efficient EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.49 | $0.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.38 | $1.09 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Destination
Independence, KY
Late night in Independence on Thursday
Local time
1:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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
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 Newport, KY to Independence, KY covers 17 miles and takes about 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Madison Pike, Ronald Reagan Highway, I 471. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.5 miles from Newport, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.66 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 is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 17 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 25m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Washington Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (KY 8 Business / Dave Cowens Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Newport, KY to Independence, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Covington along the way.
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