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Trip from Independence, KY to Ashland, KY

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

Drive Time

3h 3m

Distance

151.4 mi

244 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 52m ★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 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 Kentucky, United States

Independence, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Ashland, KY, KY

Ashland, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Planning a trip from Independence, Kentucky, to Ashland, Kentucky? This 151.4-mile drive will take you approximately 3 hours and 3 minutes, making it a manageable day trip. You'll primarily navigate via I-275 East, Ronald Reagan Highway, and Circle Freeway, with no significant interstate driving, as the highway share is 0%. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $23. This route traverses within the Southeast region of Kentucky. With only one recommended stop, you'll have plenty of flexibility to explore or get straight to your destination.

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

75.7 miles from Independence, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway 75 mi 1h 32m
US 52 23.5 mi 25m
Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway 16.5 mi 17m
US 23 10.5 mi 13m
Circle Freeway 9.5 mi 10m
Ronald Reagan Highway 7 mi 8m
KY 17 5 mi 7m
Madison Pike 1.1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway — 75 mi, about 1h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on KY 17 Business; KY 2045

1.1 mi · 2 min · Madison Pike
2

Continue on KY 17 Business

0.3 mi · 32 sec · KY 17 Business
3

Turn left onto KY 17

5.0 mi · 7 min · KY 17
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4

Turn left

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 275 East: Newport Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto I 275

7.0 mi · 8 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on I 275

9.5 mi · 10 min · Circle Freeway
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 63A-B Toward SR 32: Newtown, Eastgate Boulevard, Batavia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 63A Toward SR 32 West: Eastgate Boulevard, Newtown Use the slight left lane.
9

Turn right onto SR 32

75 mi · 1 hr 32 min · James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway
Toward Eastgate Boulevard Use the right lane.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
11

Merge onto US 23

10 mi · 13 min · US 23
12

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward SR 823 South: Ironton
13

Continue on SR 823

17 mi · 17 min · Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway
14

Merge onto US 52

23 mi · 25 min · US 52
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
16

Continue on Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge

0.5 mi · 40 sec · Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge
17

Turn left onto US 60

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Winchester Avenue
18

Enter roundabout onto Winchester Avenue

50 ft · 1 sec · Winchester Avenue
19

Continue on Winchester Avenue

340 ft · 6 sec · Winchester Avenue
20

Enter roundabout onto Winchester Avenue

56 ft · 1 sec · Winchester Avenue
21

Continue on Winchester Avenue

351 ft · 7 sec · Winchester Avenue
22

Enter roundabout onto Winchester Avenue

46 ft · 0 sec · Winchester Avenue
23

Continue on Winchester Avenue

353 ft · 7 sec · Winchester Avenue
24

Enter roundabout onto 17th Street

115 ft · 2 sec · 17th Street
25

Continue on 17th Street

152 ft · 6 sec · 17th Street
26

Arrive at destination

17th Street

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour, 151.4-mile journey, consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays in local areas. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $23, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Keep an eye on your navigation system, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile indicates frequent changes in direction. A good tip for this route would be to ensure your GPS is fully charged or that you have a reliable alternative, as relying solely on road signs might be challenging with the numerous 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 75.7 miles from Independence, KY, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75 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 33 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 75.7 miles or 1h 34m 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 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashland, KY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Independence, 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 Independence, KY

This is one driving day of about 151.4 miles and 3h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Independence, 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 James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway for about 75 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Jasper, OH, OH

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jasper, OH

76 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

Batavia, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Jasper, OH

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75.7 miles from Independence, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75 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

M & J Cafe and Food Truck

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ashland, Kentucky

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 151.4

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+16063270001

Visit website

The Indian Bistro Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cincinnati, Ohio

0.6 mi

Skyline Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Portsmouth, Ohio

0.8 mi

M & J Cafe and Food Truck

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 151.4

Ashland, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+16063270001

Visit website

The Indian Bistro Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 21.6

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+15134747500

Visit website

Skyline Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 119

Portsmouth, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17408202203

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 151.4

Ashland, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16063931138

Visit website

Sweet Caroline's Cafe

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 151.4

Ashland, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+16064087467

Visit website

Los Cabos Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 21.6

Amelia, Ohio

Hours: 12–10 pm

+15137526383

Visit website

The Underground Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 54.1

Sardinia, Ohio

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+13263481002

Visit website

Riverside Korean Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 10.8

Covington, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18592911484

Visit website

Reality Tuesday Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 10.8

Park Hills, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+18592614939

Visit website

Williamsburg Mercantile

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 32.5

Williamsburg, Ohio

Hours: 5 am–4 pm

+15137245282

Visit website

Lola's Coffee + Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 10.8

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 151.4

Ashland, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+16063298888

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.4 and 151.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
6.4 mi into trip | ~10m in

Turn left toward I 275 East: Newport

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 275 East: Newport
8
23.3 mi into trip | ~30m in

Take the exit toward SR 32: Newtown, Eastgate Boulevard, Batavia

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 63A-B Toward SR 32: Newtown, Eastgate Boulevard, Bata...
9
23.6 mi into trip | ~30m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SR 32 West: Eastgate Boulevard, Newtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 63A Toward SR 32 West: Eastgate Boulevard, Newtown
7
23.8 mi into trip | ~31m in | SR 32 / James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway

Turn right onto SR 32 / James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway toward Eastgate Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward Eastgate Boulevard
6
151.3 mi into trip | ~3h 3m in | Winchester Avenue

Enter roundabout onto Winchester Avenue

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.67 one way

$47.34 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.99 $51.98
premium $4.89 $29.14 $58.27
diesel $5.61 $33.43 $66.85

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 53 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.4 0 $15.90 $7.27
Efficient EV 37.9 0 $13.25 $6.06
EV Truck/SUV 60.6 0 $21.20 $9.69

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 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

Independence, KY

Night in Independence on Saturday

Local time

10:53 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ashland, KY

Night in Ashland on Saturday

Local time

10:53 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

51°F

Jasper, OH

76 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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 3m 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?

This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive.' Expect a dynamic route with frequent turns rather than long, straight stretches. Since the highway share is 0%, you won't be spending time on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the profile suggests a route that will keep you engaged with varying road conditions and directions. This is not a monotonous cruise; instead, prepare for a more interactive driving experience as you navigate local roads.

32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75 mi on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 151.4 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 6.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Independence, KY and Ashland, KY, road signs point toward Batavia and Newtown.

Batavia

23.3 mi in | ~30m

Newtown

23.6 mi in | ~30m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 151.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 75 miles on James A. Rhodes Appalachian Highway. 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 Ashland, 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 6.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Ashland, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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