Origin
Florence, KY
Night in Florence on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Florence, KY to London, KY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 36m
Distance
143 mi
230 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 26m
★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 43m
12 PM
2h 41m
3 PM
2h 44m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Florence, KY
Wikimedia Commons
London, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Florence, KY to London, KY is 143 miles and takes about 2h 36m via I 71, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within the Southeast region, predominantly in Kentucky. Expect a straightforward journey primarily on interstate, making it a convenient option for a quick trip. The relatively short distance and manageable duration mean you can easily complete this route in a single day, with plenty of time for any necessary stops along the way.
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
71.5 miles from Florence, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 71 | 138.9 mi | 2h 28m |
| North Main Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| US 42 | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Hal Rogers Parkway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East 5th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 138.9 mi, about 2h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, KY and London, 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
139 mi
·
2 hr 28 min
·
I 71; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 41
Toward KY 80, Hal Rogers Parkway: London, Somerset
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto KY 80
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Hal Rogers Parkway
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto US 25; KY 80
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
9
Turn left onto East 5th Street
133 ft
·
5 sec
·
East 5th Street
10
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 36m duration and 143-mile distance, this is a perfect same-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You'll have minimal need for extensive stops, but plan for at least one pause to stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $22, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Florence, KY, as the longest stretch on I 71 is nearly 139 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach London, KY, to ensure you have enough to reach your final destination or a convenient gas station.
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 71.5 miles from Florence, KY, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 138.9 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 31 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.5 miles or 1h 17m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near London, 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 143 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 138.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.5 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 138.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 140.9 — 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.
8
140.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward KY 80, Hal Rogers Parkway: London, Somerset
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 41
Toward KY 80, Hal Rogers Parkway: London, Somer...
5
140.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
|
KY 80 / Hal Rogers Parkway
Turn left onto KY 80 / Hal Rogers Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.36 one way
$44.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.55 | $49.09 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.52 | $55.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.57 | $63.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.9 | 0 | $15.01 | $6.86 |
| Efficient EV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.51 | $5.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.2 | 0 | $20.02 | $9.15 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
London, KY
Night in London on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live 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
25 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
2h 36m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 88.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 99% of the journey utilizing major roads like I 71. You'll experience long stretches of consistent driving, including a continuous segment of 138.9 miles on I 71. The initial part of your trip may involve navigating local roads like North Main Street and US 42 before merging onto the interstate. Expect a predictable driving experience as you primarily stay on high-speed roadways for the majority of the 143 miles.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 138.9 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and North Main Street. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 42; US 127.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Florence, KY to London, KY is easy. At 2h 36m with 99% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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.
About the Cities
Starting in Florence, KY
Full guide →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".
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 2h 36m. Total distance: 143 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 138.9 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 — Camp Nelson National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at London, KY before heading back.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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