The Charcoal Restaurant
Near the end, short detour
Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm
+15027498888
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 15m
Distance
173.4 mi
279 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Meads, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Anchorage, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
The drive from Meads, KY to Anchorage, KY covers 173.4 miles and takes about 3h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, US 60, US Route 60 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 161.9 miles on I 64. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.11 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86.7 miles from Meads, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 15m. Total distance: 173.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 3h 15m highway drive covering 173.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and US 60. The longest continuous stretch is about 161.9 miles on I 64.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and US 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Marsh Hill Drive.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 173.4 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 0.1 miles (Marsh Hill Drive): Navigation decision point; at 106 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West: Frankfort, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 60: Middletown, Eastwood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 60: Middletown, Eastwood
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Meads, KY and Anchorage, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati and Louisville.
Cincinnati
Louisville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 161.9 mi | 2h 54m |
| US 60 | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| US Route 60 | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Shelbyville Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Evergreen Road | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Gene Snyder Freeway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Hazelwood Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Midland Trail Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Meads, KY and Anchorage, KY.
Start on this road
Continue on Midland Trail Road
Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive
Turn right onto US 60
Continue on US 60
Turn right onto US 60
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
Take the exit
Merge onto I 265; KY 841
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto US 60
Turn right onto Evergreen Road
Turn right onto Hazelwood Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Hazelwood Road
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 38 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.7 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anchorage, KY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Meads, 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 Meads, KY
This is one driving day of about 173.4 miles and 3h 15m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.7 mi from Meads, KY · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 86.7 miles from Meads, 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 161.9 miles.
The final approach into Anchorage, 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 Anchorage, 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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
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Near the end, short detour
Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm
+15027498888
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Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm
+15029968003
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Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 11:30 am–2:30 pm
+15022552590
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Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+15024099857
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Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm
+15024932426
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Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+15023844834
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Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 6:30 am–10 pm
+15024917707
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Lexington, Kentucky
Hours: 6 am–4 pm
+18595545900
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Lexington, Kentucky
Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm
+18592555301
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
Frankfort, Kentucky
Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm
+15028753009
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~9 min detour
Frankfort, Kentucky
Hours: 6 am–5 pm
+15023529512
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Lexington, Kentucky
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+18593091968
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Lexington, Kentucky
Hours: 8:30 am–10 pm
+18593038668
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Lexington, Kentucky
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Mt Sterling, Kentucky
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+18595850406
Near the end, short detour
Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+15026324455
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Monument
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$27.11 one way
$54.22 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.76 | $59.53 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.37 | $66.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.28 | $76.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52 | 0 | $18.21 | $8.32 |
| Efficient EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.17 | $6.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.4 | 0 | $24.28 | $11.10 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Meads on Friday
Local time
7:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Anchorage on Friday
Local time
7:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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