Saint Matthews, KY to Independence, KY is 87.2 miles and takes about 1h 42m via I 71, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily sticks to major highways as you travel within the Southeast region of Kentucky. Given its relatively short distance and straightforward path, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it a practical choice when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this drive when you're looking for a quick and uncomplicated journey between these two Kentucky locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.6 miles from Saint Matthews, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 71
76.6 mi
1h 22m
Mount Zion Road
2.3 mi
4m
Bristow Road
2.2 mi
4m
Westport Road
1.8 mi
3m
Henry Watterson Expressway
1.5 mi
2m
Independence Road
1.3 mi
3m
Shelbyville Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Saint Matthews Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 71
— 76.6 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Matthews, KY and Independence, KY.
1
Start on Shelbyville Road
0.2 mi·31 sec·Shelbyville Road
2
Turn left onto Saint Matthews Avenue
0.2 mi·15 sec·Saint Matthews Avenue
3
Turn right onto KY 1447
0.3 mi·31 sec·Westport Road
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on KY 1447
1.5 mi·2 min·Westport Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 264
1.5 mi·2 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 23AToward I 71 North: CincinnatiUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 71
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
5.6 mi·5 min·I 71
Toward I 75 North, I 71 North: CincinnatiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 178Toward KY 536: Mount Zion RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
283 ft·6 sec
12
Continue on KY 536
1.3 mi·2 min·Mount Zion Road
Use the left lane.
13
Enter roundabout onto KY 536
122 ft·2 sec·Mount Zion Road
14
Continue on KY 536
0.5 mi·51 sec·Mount Zion Road
15
Enter roundabout onto KY 536
108 ft·2 sec·Mount Zion Road
16
Continue on KY 536
0.5 mi·55 sec·Mount Zion Road
17
Continue on KY 536
2.2 mi·4 min·Bristow Road
18
At end of road, turn left onto KY 2045
1.3 mi·3 min·Independence Road
19
At end of road, turn left onto KY 17 Business; KY 2045
371 ft·7 sec·Madison Pike
20
Arrive at destination
KY 17 Business; KY 2045
Trip Plan
For this 1h 42m drive, starting in the morning is a good idea to maximize daylight, especially since it's a single-day trip. With only 87.2 miles, you won't need to plan for extensive stops. The longest stretch is 76.6 miles on I 71, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks before you embark on that segment. Keep an eye out for signs indicating upcoming exits, as the transition from the main highway to Mount Zion Road and then Bristow Road will mark the final approach to Independence. Your estimated fuel cost is around $14, which is quite manageable for this distance.
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 43.6 miles from Saint Matthews, KY, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.6 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.6 miles or 49m 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 22m
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 Saint Matthews, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Saint Matthews, KY
This is one driving day of about 87.2 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Saint Matthews, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 71 for about 76.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 80.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Saint Matthews Avenue
Turn left onto Saint Matthews Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|KY 1447 / Westport Road
Turn right onto KY 1447 / Westport Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
3.9 mi into trip|~6m 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
8
75.3 mi into trip|~1h 23m in|I 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71 toward I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North, I 71 North: Cincinnati
7
80.8 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward KY 536: Mount Zion Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 178
Toward KY 536: Mount Zion Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.63 one way
$27.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.97
$29.94
premium
$4.89
$16.78
$33.56
diesel
$5.61
$19.25
$38.51
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: 30.5 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
26.2
0
$9.16
$4.19
Efficient EV
21.8
0
$7.63
$3.49
EV Truck/SUV
34.9
0
$12.21
$5.58
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 20, 2026
Origin
Saint Matthews, KY
Late night
in Saint Matthews on Tuesday
Local time
4:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Independence, KY
Late night
in Independence on Tuesday
Local time
4:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
3 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
1h 42m 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 largely a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the journey taking place on interstates. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 76.6 miles on I 71. The route begins with highway travel, and for the most part, maintains that character throughout. Expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness, with minimal deviations onto local roads until the very end. This highway-centric profile means you'll likely be navigating faster speeds and multi-lane environments for the majority of your trip.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.6 mi on I 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 71 and Mount Zion Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Saint Matthews Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.2 miles (Saint Matthews Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (KY 1447 / Westport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 87.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m 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 76.6 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 Independence, 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 0.2 miles (Saint Matthews Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (KY 1447 / Westport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Independence, KY before heading back.
