Independence, KY to Saint Matthews, KY is 87.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 43 minutes via I 71, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Kentucky, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, primarily highway-focused trip, making it an efficient option for a single-day journey. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on the interstate, so expect a relatively quick transit time. This route is best suited for those prioritizing speed and directness between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.8 miles from Independence, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
76.4 mi
1h 22m
Bristow Road
2.2 mi
3m
Mount Zion Road
2 mi
3m
Westport Road
1.7 mi
3m
Henry Watterson Expressway
1.5 mi
2m
Independence Road
1.3 mi
3m
KY 536
0.5 mi
<1m
Shelbyville Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 76.4 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, KY and Saint Matthews, KY.
1
Start on KY 17 Business; KY 2045
371 ft·9 sec·Madison Pike
2
Turn right onto KY 2045
1.3 mi·3 min·Independence Road
3
Turn right onto KY 536
2.2 mi·3 min·Bristow Road
4
Keep slight left at fork onto KY 536
0.5 mi·59 sec·Mount Zion Road
5
Enter roundabout onto KY 536
90 ft·1 sec·Mount Zion Road
6
Continue on KY 536
0.5 mi·52 sec·Mount Zion Road
7
Enter roundabout onto KY 536
129 ft·2 sec·Mount Zion Road
8
Continue on KY 536
1.0 mi·1 min·Mount Zion Road
9
Turn right onto KY 536
0.5 mi·51 sec·KY 536
Toward KY 536 East
10
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 75, I 71
11
Merge onto I 71; I 75
4.9 mi·5 min·I 71; I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto I 71
72 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 71
Exit 173Toward I 71 South: LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 5Toward I 264 West: Watterson ExpresswayUse the slight left lane.
14
Continue on I 264
1.5 mi·2 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 21Toward KY 1447: Westport RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
326 ft·9 sec
Toward KY 1447 West
17
Turn straight onto KY 1447
1.5 mi·2 min·Westport Road
18
Continue on KY 1447
0.3 mi·31 sec·Westport Road
19
Turn left onto Saint Matthews Avenue
0.2 mi·19 sec·Saint Matthews Avenue
20
Turn right onto Shelbyville Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Shelbyville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto Lexington Road
307 ft·16 sec·Lexington Road
Use the left lane.
22
Turn sharp left onto Frankfort Avenue
427 ft·12 sec·Frankfort Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Shelbyville Road
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour 43 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day with plenty of flexibility. Consider departing in the morning to take advantage of daylight hours and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, plan for refueling before you leave or at a convenient point along I 71. Since this route has no designated stops and is mostly highway, the main consideration is staying alert during the longest stretch of 76.4 miles on I 71. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach your destination in Saint Matthews.
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 43.8 miles from Independence, KY, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.4 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.8 miles or 53m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Matthews, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Independence, KY
This is one driving day of about 87.5 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Independence, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 76.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
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 11.4 and 87.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
11.4 mi into trip|~17m 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
83 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 264 West: Watterson Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 5
Toward I 264 West: Watterson Expressway
7
85 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward KY 1447: Westport Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward KY 1447: Westport Road
7
87.2 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|Shelbyville Road
Turn right onto Shelbyville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
87.4 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|Lexington Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Lexington Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.68 one way
$27.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.02
$30.04
premium
$4.89
$16.84
$33.68
diesel
$5.61
$19.32
$38.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.3
0
$9.19
$4.20
Efficient EV
21.9
0
$7.66
$3.50
EV Truck/SUV
35
0
$12.25
$5.60
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
Late night
in Independence on Sunday
Local time
3:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Matthews, KY
Late night
in Saint Matthews on Sunday
Local time
3:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Carrollton, KY
44 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
26 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
1h 43m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 76.4 miles on I 71, forming the backbone of this journey. While primarily interstate, the route also incorporates segments of Bristow Road and Mount Zion Road, which may offer a slight change of pace. Expect a consistent driving experience that is generally fast-paced due to the high highway share. The character remains predominantly that of an interstate transit.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.4 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Bristow Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.4 miles in near I 71.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.5 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 11.4 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 83 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 85 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 87.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.4 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 Saint Matthews, KY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.4 miles (I 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 83 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 85 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 Saint Matthews, KY before heading back.
