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Trip from Calvert City, KY to Meads, KY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 35m

Distance

352.4 mi

567 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$55

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 23m ★
6 AM
6h 35m
8 AM
6h 59m
10 AM
6h 44m
12 PM
6h 41m
3 PM
6h 45m
5 PM
6h 58m
8 PM
6h 28m

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

Downtown Calvert City, KY, KY

Calvert City, KY

Kelly

suburb in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, UK

Meads, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 352.4-mile journey from Calvert City to Meads, Kentucky, is designed for efficiency, taking approximately 6 hours and 35 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-64, the Western Kentucky Parkway, and the Bluegrass Parkway, this route is almost entirely highway driving at 94%. It's a solid day trip option, so you can plan to complete it in one go. With an estimated fuel cost of $55, it's an economical way to travel within the Southeast region. The drive is focused on covering ground, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without extensive detours.

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

176.2 miles from Calvert City, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 35m. Total distance: 352.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 35m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 352.4-mile trip. With 94% of the drive on major roadways like I-64 and the parkways, it's built for steady progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 101.8 miles on I-64, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. This route prioritizes direct travel, minimizing slower local roads and maximizing time spent on the open highway. It’s a characteristically efficient drive, designed to get you to your destination with minimal fuss.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 101.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Western Kentucky Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.8 miles in near I 69.

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 352.4 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 18.8 miles (I 69): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 24 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
18.8 mi into trip | ~24m in | I 69

Take the exit onto I 69 toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton

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

Exit 42 Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
8
57 mi into trip | ~1h 6m 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
156.3 mi into trip | ~2h 52m 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
158.6 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in

Take the exit toward Lexington, Bardstown

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 93 Toward Lexington, Bardstown
8
245.7 mi into trip | ~4h 35m in | I 64

Take the exit onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland

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

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 111 Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Calvert City, KY and Meads, KY, road signs point toward Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown and Ashland.

Princeton

18.8 mi in | ~24m | via I 69

Elizabethtown

57.4 mi in | ~1h 6m | via Western Kentucky Parkway

Louisville

156.3 mi in | ~2h 52m

Lexington

158.6 mi in | ~2h 56m

Bardstown

158.6 mi in | ~2h 56m

Ashland

243.6 mi in | ~4h 32m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 101.8 mi 1h 50m
Western Kentucky Parkway 99.2 mi 1h 46m
Bluegrass Parkway 70.7 mi 1h 15m
I 69 38.3 mi 41m
I 24 14.3 mi 15m
New Circle Road 5.7 mi 8m
Versailles Road 4.6 mi 6m
US 60 4 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 101.8 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Calvert City, KY and Meads, KY.

1

Start on KY 95

0.4 mi · 50 sec · North Main Street
2

Turn left onto 5th Avenue Southeast

1.2 mi · 2 min · 5th Avenue Southeast
3

Turn right onto KY 1523

1.4 mi · 2 min · Oak Park Boulevard
4

Turn left onto US 62

1.3 mi · 2 min · US 62
5

Turn left

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 27 Toward US 62: Kentucky Dam
6

Merge onto I 24; I 69

14 mi · 15 min · I 24; I 69
7

Take the exit onto I 69

38 mi · 41 min · I 69
Exit 42 Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
8

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.
9

Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway

99 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106B Toward Elizabethtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 137B Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville Use the right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
12

Merge onto I 65

1.4 mi · 1 min · I 65
13

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 93 Toward Lexington, Bardstown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on Bluegrass Parkway

71 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Bluegrass Parkway
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
16

Turn right onto US 60

1.7 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
17

Continue on US 60

4.6 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
18

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
19

Merge onto KY 4

5.7 mi · 8 min · New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Turn left onto US 27; US 68

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Broadway
21

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
22

Merge onto I 64; I 75

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 64; I 75
23

Take the exit onto I 64

17 mi · 18 min · I 64
Exit 111 Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland Use the slight left / straight lanes.
24

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64

84 mi · 1 hr 29 min · I 64
25

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Exit 181 Toward US 60
26

Turn left onto US 60

4.0 mi · 6 min · US 60
27

Turn left onto US 60

2.0 mi · 3 min · US Route 60
28

Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive

110 ft · 8 sec · Marsh Hill Drive
29

Turn left onto Midland Trail Road

410 ft · 19 sec · Midland Trail Road
30

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour and 35-minute duration, starting your drive in Calvert City early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and arrive before evening. While this trip is manageable in a single day, you'll want to plan for one stop to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without exits is over 100 miles on I-64, so ensure your fuel tank is topped off before entering that segment. Keep an eye on the posted speed limits, as they can vary across the different parkways and interstates you'll be using.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176.2 miles from Calvert City, KY, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.8 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 78 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 176.2 miles or 3h 15m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 27m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Calvert City, 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 Calvert City, KY

This is one driving day of about 352.4 miles and 6h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Calvert City, 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 I 64 for about 101.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 176.2 mi from Calvert City, KY · 3h 15m into the drive

Downtown Heritage Creek, KY, KY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Heritage Creek, KY

176 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

Oklahoma, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Heritage Creek, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 176.2 miles from Calvert City, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.8 miles.

Arriving in Meads, KY

The final approach into Meads, KY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Meads, KY.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$55.09 one way

$110.19 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 123 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $60.49 $120.98
premium $4.89 $67.82 $135.63
diesel $5.61 $77.81 $155.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$55

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 123.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 105.7 1 $37.00 $16.92
Efficient EV 88.1 1 $30.83 $14.10
EV Truck/SUV 141 1 $49.34 $22.55

Gas CO2

123 kg

EV CO2

41 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 15, 2026

Origin

Calvert City, KY

Morning in Calvert City on Friday

Local time

10:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Meads, KY

Morning in Meads on Friday

Local time

11:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°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

1 hour later

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

Temperature spread

28 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

6h 35m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Calvert City, KY to Meads, KY covers 352.4 miles and takes about 6h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 64, Western Kentucky Parkway, Bluegrass Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 176.2 miles from Calvert City, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $55.09 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 352.4 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.

The main spots that need attention: at 18.8 miles (I 69): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Between Calvert City, KY and Meads, KY, road signs point toward Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown and Ashland.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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