Truck scales and rest area - I75 SB
0 mi from route
Trip from Florence, KY to Harlan, KY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 3m
Distance
217.6 mi
350 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 51m
★
6 AM
4h 4m
8 AM
4h 30m
10 AM
4h 13m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 14m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Florence, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Harlan, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Florence, KY to Harlan, KY is 217.6 miles and takes about 4h 3m via I 71 and Cumberland Gap Parkway, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The majority of this drive is on highways, making it a relatively straightforward trip. Given the distance and duration, it's well-suited for a single day of travel.
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
108.8 miles from Florence, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 150.7 mi | 2h 41m |
| Cumberland Gap Parkway | 30.7 mi | 36m |
| Harlan Road | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| Pineville Road | 13.1 mi | 14m |
| Corbin Bypass | 2 mi | 3m |
| Bob Madon Bypass | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| US 42 | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| US 421 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 150.7 mi, about 2h 41m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,909 veh/hr typical · worst 3,635
Quietest
1 AM
~317 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, KY and Harlan, KY.
1
Start on Main Street
28 ft
·
3 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 42; US 127
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 42; US 127
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on US 42; US 127
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 42; US 127
4
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, Louisville
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 71; I 75
151 mi
·
2 hr 41 min
·
I 71; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
7
Turn left onto US 25E
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Corbin Bypass
8
Continue on US 25E
31 mi
·
36 min
·
Cumberland Gap Parkway
9
Continue on US 25E
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Bob Madon Bypass
10
Turn left onto US 119
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Harlan Road
11
Continue on US 119
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Pineville Road
12
Turn right onto US 421
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 421
13
Turn left onto KY 38
386 ft
·
9 sec
·
KY 38
14
Enter roundabout onto KY 72
16 ft
·
0 sec
·
South Main Street
15
Continue on KY 72
298 ft
·
13 sec
·
South Main Street
16
Turn left onto Railroad Street
418 ft
·
18 sec
·
Railroad Street
17
Arrive at destination
Railroad Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, consider leaving Florence, KY in the morning to give yourself ample time. With a total drive time of just over 4 hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day without needing an overnight stop. You'll want to plan for at least one fuel stop, especially as you get closer to Harlan, KY. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as the miles between services might increase on the latter half of the route.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 108.8 miles from Florence, KY, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.7 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 48 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.8 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harlan, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Florence, 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 Florence, KY
This is one driving day of about 217.6 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Florence, 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 150.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108.8 miles from Florence, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Truck scales and rest area - I75 NB
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Scott County (Georgetown) Rest Area Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Boone County (Florence) Rest Area Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Scott County (Georgetown) Rest Area Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
London Truck Center
0.3 mi from route
Boone County (Florence) Welcome Center Southbound
0.4 mi from route
76 Fuel Center
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 217.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 42; US 127
Turn right onto US 42; US 127
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Turn left toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, Louisville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Lexington, Louis...
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 71; I 75
Merge onto I 71; I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
152.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 25, US 25E: Corbin, Barbourville
5
217.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 3m in
|
KY 72 / South Main Street
Enter roundabout onto KY 72 / South Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.30 one way
$72.60 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $39.45 | $78.90 |
| premium | $5.26 | $45.05 | $90.11 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $52.94 | $105.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.3 | 0 | $22.85 | $10.44 |
| Efficient EV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.04 | $8.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87 | 1 | $30.46 | $13.93 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Florence, KY
Morning in Florence on Tuesday
Local time
8:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
E 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Harlan, KY
Morning in Harlan on Tuesday
Local time
8:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
N 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
72°F
Williamsburg, KY
109 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
2 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
4h 3m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Cumberland Gap was the first great gateway to the west. Come follow the path of bison, Native Americans, longhunters, and pioneers. Walk where 300,000 people crossed the Appalachians to settle America...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 195.1
View on nps.gov
Camp Nelson National Monument
National Monument
The US Army established Camp Nelson as a fortified supply depot in April 1863. Over the next 3 years, the site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for United States Colored Troops a...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 90
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 85% of this 217.6-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 150.7 miles, primarily on I 71. After this long highway segment, you'll transition to roads like Cumberland Gap Parkway and Harlan Road, which will likely feel more rural. Expect to notice the transition from high-speed interstate to more local surface roads as you approach your destination.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 150.7 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Cumberland Gap Parkway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 42; US 127.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 42; US 127): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles (I 71; I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,204 ft
887 ft
Total Climb
562 ft
Total Descent
307 ft
Highest Point
1,204 ft
~124.4 mi in
Elevation Range
317 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Florence, KY to Harlan, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Barbourville along the way.
Barbourville
152.5 mi in
|
~2h 44m
About the Cities
Starting in Florence, KY
Full guide →Founded 1830
Florence is a city of 33,000 people (2019) in Kentucky's Northern Ohio River Region, near Cincinnati. Florence is well known in surrounding cities for a water tower visible from I-71/I-75 that reads "Florence Y'all".
Top landmarks
- • Florence Y'all Water Tower — water tower in Florence, Kentucky, United States
Arriving in Harlan, KY
Full guide →Founded 1796
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 217.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 150.7 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 42; US 127): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles (I 71; I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and Camp Nelson National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Harlan, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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