Origin
Calvert City, KY
Morning in Calvert City on Friday
Local time
10:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Calvert City, KY
Kelly
Meads, KY
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
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
Elizabethtown
Louisville
Lexington
Bardstown
Ashland
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Calvert City, KY and Meads, KY.
Start on KY 95
Turn left onto 5th Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto KY 1523
Turn left onto US 62
Turn left
Merge onto I 24; I 69
Take the exit onto I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto US 60
Continue on US 60
Take the exit
Merge onto KY 4
Turn left onto US 27; US 68
Turn left
Merge onto I 64; I 75
Take the exit onto I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 60
Turn left onto US 60
Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive
Turn left onto Midland Trail Road
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before I 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.8 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$55.09 one way
$110.19 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Calvert City on Friday
Local time
10:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Meads on Friday
Local time
11:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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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