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Trip from Florence, KY to Valley Station, KY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 2m

Distance

100 mi

161 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 53m ★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Boone County, Kentucky, United States

Florence, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Valley Station, KY, KY

Valley Station, KY

Joseph Fuller

Trip Overview

This 100-mile drive from Florence, KY to Valley Station, KY will take you approximately 2 hours and 2 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The journey is primarily highway-focused, with 86% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-71, Dixie Highway, and 7th Street Road. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, this trip is budget-friendly. You'll be staying within the Southeast region for the entirety of your drive. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward path, this route is best tackled in a single day without the need for an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

50 miles from Florence, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 71 83.6 mi 1h 32m
Dixie Highway 6.6 mi 12m
7th Street Road 2.6 mi 5m
I 64 1.5 mi 1m
US 42 1.3 mi 2m
South 9th Street 1.2 mi 1m
South 7th Street 0.9 mi 1m
Roy Wilkins Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 71 — 83.6 mi, about 1h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Florence, KY and Valley Station, 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

6.9 mi · 7 min · I 71; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit onto I 71

77 mi · 1 hr 24 min · I 71
Exit 173 Toward I 71 South: Louisville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 1A Toward I 64 West: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 64

1.5 mi · 1 min · I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Exit 4 Toward 9th Street, Roy Wilkins Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

368 ft · 11 sec
Toward 9th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn straight onto Roy Wilkins Avenue

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Roy Wilkins Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
12

Continue on South 9th Street

1.2 mi · 1 min · South 9th Street
13

Continue on South 7th Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · South 7th Street
14

Continue on KY 1931

2.0 mi · 3 min · 7th Street Road
15

Continue on US 60 Alternate

0.6 mi · 1 min · 7th Street Road
Use the right lane.
16

Turn slight left onto US 31W; US 60

6.6 mi · 12 min · Dixie Highway
17

Turn right onto Alanadale Drive

0.3 mi · 1 min · Alanadale Drive
18

Arrive at destination

Alanadale Drive

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour drive, leaving early in the morning can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you transition onto Dixie Highway and 7th Street Road. Since the total distance is only 100 miles, you have plenty of flexibility regarding stops. You won't need to split this drive, but consider taking a short break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I-71 is 83.6 miles, and planning your fuel stops beforehand is always a good idea, especially on highway-focused drives.

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 50 miles from Florence, KY, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.6 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 22 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 50 miles or 56m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Valley Station, 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 100 miles and 2h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Florence, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 83.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Worthington Hills, KY, KY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Worthington Hills, KY

50 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

Warsaw, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Carrollton, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 50 miles from Florence, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

La Bodeguita De Mima

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 85.7

Hours: 12–2:30 pm

+15027423358

Visit website

Matsuya Japanese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Florence, Kentucky

0.8 mi

Twin Peaks

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Florence, Kentucky

1.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Stomping Grounds Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 100

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15029967473

Quills Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

0.7 mi

Velocity Bike & Bean

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Florence, Kentucky

0.8 mi

La Bodeguita De Mima

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 85.7

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 12–2:30 pm

+15027423358

Visit website

Matsuya Japanese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Florence, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+18597461199

Visit website

Twin Peaks

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Florence, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+18598170555

Visit website

Zamzam Restaurant llc

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 92.9

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+15023651001

Varanese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Expensive mile 85.7

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 5–10 pm

+15028999904

Visit website

Palermo's Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 64.3

La Grange, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15022650039

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15029952605

Visit website

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Florence, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+18592828865

Visit website

Stomping Grounds Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 100

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15029967473

Quills Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 85.7

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15028615844

Visit website

Velocity Bike & Bean

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Florence, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18593718356

Visit website

Please & Thank You "MARK"

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 85.7

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+15025530113

Visit website

Pearl Street Game & Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 85.7

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+18129200926

Visit website

Coffee Crossing

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 85.7

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+18125903867

Visit website

The Hotel Marty

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 85.7

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+15022943728

Visit website

Red Hot Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 85.7

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15025690000

Visit website

Howard Steamboat Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 85.7

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+18122833728

Visit website

Muhammad Ali Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 85.7

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15025849254

Visit website

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 85.7

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18777758443

Visit website

Flame Run

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 85.7

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15025845353

Visit website

Big 4 Escape

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 85.7

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hours: 2–8 pm

+18127251046

Visit website

Louisville Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 85.7

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15024592181

Visit website

O'Dolly's Lounge and Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 92.9

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15023751690

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 87.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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...
7
8.6 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 71

Take the exit onto I 71 toward I 71 South: Louisville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 173 Toward I 71 South: Louisville
7
85.4 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in

Take the exit toward I 64 West: Saint Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1A Toward I 64 West: Saint Louis
8
87.4 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Take the exit toward 9th Street, Roy Wilkins Avenue

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 4 Toward 9th Street, Roy Wilkins Avenue
7
87.9 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in

Keep slight left at fork toward 9th Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward 9th Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.63 one way

$31.27 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $17.17 $34.33
premium $4.89 $19.24 $38.49
diesel $5.61 $22.08 $44.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 35 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30 0 $10.50 $4.80
Efficient EV 25 0 $8.75 $4.00
EV Truck/SUV 40 0 $14.00 $6.40

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Florence, KY

Night in Florence on Saturday

Local time

10:51 PM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Valley Station, KY

Night in Valley Station on Saturday

Local time

10:51 PM

EDT

Current temp

82°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

9 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

2h 2m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this 100-mile route, with I-71 dominating 86% of your travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 83.6 miles on I-71, offering a consistent pace. While the initial part of the journey involves significant highway miles, you'll transition onto Dixie Highway and 7th Street Road as you approach your destination, introducing more local road elements. This blend means you'll experience both efficient travel and a gradual shift in surroundings as you get closer to Valley Station.

86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.6 mi on I 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Dixie Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 100 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 2m. Total distance: 100 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 83.6 miles on I 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Valley Station, KY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Valley Station, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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