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Trip from Hendron, KY to Independence, KY

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

Drive Time

5h 46m

Distance

307.7 mi

495 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 33m ★
6 AM
5h 46m
8 AM
6h 13m
10 AM
5h 56m
12 PM
5h 53m
3 PM
5h 57m
5 PM
6h 11m
8 PM
5h 38m

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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Downtown Hendron, KY, KY

Hendron, KY

Ellie Burgin

city in Kentucky, United States

Independence, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 307.7-mile journey from Hendron, KY to Independence, KY, is estimated to take 5 hours and 46 minutes of driving time. It's a completely local road experience, with no highway driving, making it a turn-heavy adventure. With a fuel cost estimated at $47, this route is best suited as a single-day trip. You'll be navigating primarily via Felix Avenue, Old Mayfield Road, and Elmdale Road, offering a consistent local feel throughout the drive. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so you'll remain in familiar territory.

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

153.8 miles from Hendron, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway 99.2 mi 1h 46m
I 71 76.6 mi 1h 22m
I 69 38.3 mi 41m
I 65 37.9 mi 41m
I 24 34 mi 36m
Henry Watterson Expressway 10 mi 13m
Mount Zion Road 2.3 mi 4m
Bristow Road 2.2 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Western Kentucky Parkway — 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hendron, KY and Independence, KY.

1

Start on At Massa Drive

305 ft · 14 sec · At Massa Drive
2

Turn right onto Felix Avenue

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Felix Avenue
3

Turn left onto KY 994

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Old Mayfield Road
4

Turn left onto Elmdale Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Elmdale Road
5

Turn right

0.4 mi · 1 min
6

Turn left onto US 45

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Lone Oak Road
7

Turn left

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward Nashville
8

Merge onto I 24

34 mi · 36 min · I 24
9

Take the exit onto I 69

38 mi · 41 min · I 69
Exit 42 Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
10

Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106A-B Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway

99 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106B Toward Elizabethtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 137B Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville Use the right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
14

Merge onto I 65

38 mi · 41 min · I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 58 sec
Exit 131-A Toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 131A Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway Use the slight right lane.
17

Merge onto I 264

10 mi · 13 min · Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 31 sec
Exit 23A Toward I 71 North: Cincinnati Use the slight right lane.
19

Merge onto I 71

71 mi · 1 hr 16 min · I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight left at fork onto I 71

5.6 mi · 5 min · I 71
Toward I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 178 Toward KY 536: Mount Zion Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight right at fork

283 ft · 6 sec
23

Continue on KY 536

1.3 mi · 2 min · Mount Zion Road
Use the left lane.
24

Enter roundabout onto KY 536

122 ft · 2 sec · Mount Zion Road
25

Continue on KY 536

0.5 mi · 51 sec · Mount Zion Road
26

Enter roundabout onto KY 536

108 ft · 2 sec · Mount Zion Road
27

Continue on KY 536

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Mount Zion Road
28

Continue on KY 536

2.2 mi · 4 min · Bristow Road
29

At end of road, turn left onto KY 2045

1.3 mi · 3 min · Independence Road
30

At end of road, turn left onto KY 17 Business; KY 2045

371 ft · 7 sec · Madison Pike
31

Arrive at destination

KY 17 Business; KY 2045

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour and 46-minute driving duration, this route is comfortably manageable as a single-day trip. Consider departing early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically to coincide with your needs for fuel or a quick stretch. The $47 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra. Since this is a turn-heavy local drive, pay close attention to your navigation, especially on roads like Felix Avenue and Old Mayfield Road, to avoid missing any crucial turns.

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 153.8 miles from Hendron, KY, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 68 miles or 1h 17m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 153.8 miles or 2h 50m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 41m

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 Hendron, 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 Hendron, KY

This is one driving day of about 307.7 miles and 5h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Hendron, 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 Western Kentucky Parkway for about 99.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Vine Grove, KY, KY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vine Grove, KY

154 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

Madisonville, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vine Grove, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 153.8 miles from Hendron, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Western Kentucky Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.2 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

W W Cousins Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Louisville, Kentucky

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 219.8

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15028979684

Visit website

Palermo's Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

La Grange, Kentucky

0.7 mi

Back Home Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

1.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Heine Brothers Coffee - Hikes Point

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 219.8

Hours: 5:30 am–7 pm

+15024096762

Visit website

Cedar Grove Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shepherdsville, Kentucky

1 mi

Sunergos Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Kentucky

1.9 mi

W W Cousins Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 219.8

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15028979684

Visit website

Palermo's Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 241.7

La Grange, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15022650039

Visit website

Back Home Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 175.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12707692800

Visit website

Las Chalupas Mexican Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 175.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+12709822244

Visit website

Capris Italian Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 175.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12709867900

Mi Viejo Carrollton

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 263.7

Carrollton, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15026622079

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 175.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12707655525

Visit website

Culver’s

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 175.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+12705063819

Visit website

Heine Brothers Coffee - Hikes Point

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 219.8

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 5:30 am–7 pm

+15024096762

Visit website

Cedar Grove Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 197.8

Shepherdsville, Kentucky

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+15029210075

Visit website

Sunergos Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 219.8

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+15029364313

Visit website

Heine Brothers Coffee - Chenoweth Lane

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 219.8

St Matthews, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15028935103

Visit website

Bean Cove

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 175.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12709822233

Visit website

Scholars’ Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 219.8

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7–10 am

Visit website

Safai Coffee Shop

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 219.8

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15023843555

Visit website

Sunergos Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 219.8

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+15029199676

Visit website

Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 175.8

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12707636175

Visit website

Louisville Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 219.8

Louisville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15024592181

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 74.8 and 224.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
74.8 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in | Western Kentucky Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 106A-B Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
8
174.1 mi into trip | ~3h 11m in

Take the exit toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Exit 137B Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
8
212.9 mi into trip | ~3h 54m in

Take the exit toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 131-A Toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport
8
213.6 mi into trip | ~3h 55m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 131A Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
8
224.4 mi into trip | ~4h 10m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 71 North: Cincinnati

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 23A Toward I 71 North: Cincinnati

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.11 one way

$96.21 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 108 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $52.82 $105.64
premium $4.89 $59.21 $118.43
diesel $5.61 $67.94 $135.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 107.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 92.3 1 $32.31 $14.77
Efficient EV 76.9 0 $26.92 $12.31
EV Truck/SUV 123.1 1 $43.08 $19.69

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 18, 2026

Origin

Hendron, KY

Evening in Hendron on Saturday

Local time

8:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

NNW 9 to 13 mph 57% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 1:01PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 12:41PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Destination

Independence, KY

Night in Independence on Saturday

Local time

9:16 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 10 to 14 mph 91% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 1:01PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 12:41PM EDT by NWS Jackson KY

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

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

6 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

5h 46m 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.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park

National Historical Park

For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. His early life on Kentucky's frontier shaped...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 180.3
View on nps.gov
Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park

National Park

Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, e...

20 mi from route ~51 min detour Free near mile 148.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive with a 0% highway share on this route. The entire 307.7 miles will keep you engaged with frequent directional changes rather than long, straight stretches. Since there's no longest uninterrupted stretch indicated, be prepared for constant navigation adjustments. This drive is characterized by its local roads, meaning you'll be passing through communities and varying landscapes without the benefit of high-speed highway travel. It's a route that requires your attention to the road and your surroundings.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 74.8 miles in near Western Kentucky Parkway.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 307.7 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 74.8 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Hendron, KY and Independence, KY, road signs point toward Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville and Airport.

Princeton

36.5 mi in | ~43m | via I 69

Elizabethtown

75.2 mi in | ~1h 25m | via Western Kentucky Parkway

Louisville

174.1 mi in | ~3h 11m

Airport

212.9 mi in | ~3h 54m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 46m. Total distance: 307.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 99.2 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Independence, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 74.8 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Independence, KY before the return drive.

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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