The drive from Eddyville, KY to Meads, KY covers 332.5 miles and takes about 6h 12m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, Western Kentucky Parkway, Bluegrass Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 101.8 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $51.98 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
166.2 miles from Eddyville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 12m. Total distance: 332.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 12m highway drive covering 332.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and Western Kentucky Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 101.8 miles on I 64.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 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 37.2 miles in near Western Kentucky Parkway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 332.5 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 37.2 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
37.2 mi into trip|~43m 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
136.4 mi into trip|~2h 30m 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
6
136.8 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
8
138.7 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
225.8 mi into trip|~4h 13m 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 Eddyville, KY and Meads, KY, road signs point toward Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown and Ashland.
Elizabethtown
37.5 mi in|~44m|via Western Kentucky Parkway
Louisville
136.4 mi in|~2h 30m
Lexington
138.7 mi in|~2h 33m
Bardstown
138.7 mi in|~2h 33m
Ashland
223.7 mi in|~4h 10m
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
33.6 mi
36m
New Circle Road
5.7 mi
8m
Versailles Road
4.6 mi
6m
US 60
4 mi
6m
US 62
2.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.8 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eddyville, KY and Meads, KY.
1
Start on this road
76 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right
82 ft·11 sec
3
Turn left onto School Drive
283 ft·26 sec·School Drive
4
Continue on School Drive
0.2 mi·1 min·School Drive
5
Turn right onto Jenkins Road
0.2 mi·56 sec·Jenkins Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 62; US 641
2.8 mi·4 min·US 62; US 641
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
8
Merge onto I 69
34 mi·36 min·I 69
9
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway
0.3 mi·22 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106A-BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106BToward ElizabethtownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
13
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi·1 min·I 65
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
17
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
18
Continue on US 60
4.6 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
20
Merge onto KY 4
5.7 mi·8 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto US 27; US 68
1.0 mi·1 min·North Broadway
22
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
23
Merge onto I 64; I 75
1.6 mi·1 min·I 64; I 75
24
Take the exit onto I 64
17 mi·18 min·I 64
Exit 111Toward I 64 East: Winchester, AshlandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
84 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 181Toward US 60
27
Turn left onto US 60
4.0 mi·6 min·US 60
28
Turn left onto US 60
2.0 mi·3 min·US Route 60
29
Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive
110 ft·8 sec·Marsh Hill Drive
30
Turn left onto Midland Trail Road
410 ft·19 sec·Midland Trail Road
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 166.2 miles from Eddyville, KY, or about 3h 3m 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 73 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.2 miles or 3h 3m 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 4m
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 Eddyville, 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 Eddyville, KY
This is one driving day of about 332.5 miles and 6h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Eddyville, 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 166.2 mi from Eddyville, KY
· 3h 3m into the drive
The midpoint is around 166.2 miles from Eddyville, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
National Historical Park
For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. His early life on Kentucky's frontier shaped...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 149
The US Army established Camp Nelson as a fortified supply depot in April 1863. Over the next 3 years, the site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for United States Colored Troops a...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 206.4
Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, e...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 103.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.98 one way
$103.97 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$57.07
$114.15
premium
$4.89
$63.99
$127.97
diesel
$5.61
$73.41
$146.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.8
1
$34.91
$15.96
Efficient EV
83.1
0
$29.09
$13.30
EV Truck/SUV
133
1
$46.55
$21.28
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% 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
Eddyville, KY
Late night
in Eddyville on Saturday
Local time
5:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Meads, KY
Morning
in Meads on Saturday
Local time
6:52 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
27 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 12m 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 Eddyville, KY to Meads, KY covers 332.5 miles and takes about 6h 12m 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 166.2 miles from Eddyville, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.98 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 25 significant decision points across 332.5 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 37.2 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Eddyville, KY and Meads, KY, road signs point toward Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown and Ashland.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Camp Nelson National Monument and Mammoth Cave National Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
