The drive from Meads, KY to Cadiz, KY covers 339.1 miles and takes about 6h 20m 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 101.7 miles on I 64.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $53.01 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
169.6 miles from Meads, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 20m. Total distance: 339.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 20m highway drive covering 339.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and Western Kentucky Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 101.7 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 40 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 101.7 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 108.5 miles in.
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 26 significant decision points across 339.1 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 108.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
108.5 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
Take the exit toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington
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 113
Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, Lexington
7
115.9 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward US 60 West: Versailles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5B
Toward US 60 West: Versailles
8
195.4 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
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 91C-A
Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Wes...
8
195.6 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 91C-B
Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western...
7
294.2 mi into trip|~5h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 38B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Meads, KY and Cadiz, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Lexington, Elizabethtown, Paducah and Western Kentucky Parkway West.
Cincinnati
106 mi in|~1h 57m|via I 64
Lexington
108.5 mi in|~2h 1m
Elizabethtown
122.1 mi in|~2h 20m
Paducah
195.4 mi in|~3h 41m
Western Kentucky Parkway West
195.6 mi in|~3h 41m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
101.7 mi
1h 50m
Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi
1h 45m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.6 mi
1h 15m
I 169
22.6 mi
24m
Hopkinsville Road
7.4 mi
8m
Cadiz Road
7.1 mi
8m
West New Circle Road
5.8 mi
8m
Versailles Road
4.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meads, KY and Cadiz, KY.
1
Start on this road
56 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Continue on Midland Trail Road
353 ft·16 sec·Midland Trail Road
3
Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive
110 ft·5 sec·Marsh Hill Drive
4
Turn right onto US 60
0.3 mi·29 sec·US Route 60
5
Continue on US 60
2.3 mi·3 min·US Route 60
6
Turn right onto US 60
3.6 mi·5 min·US 60
7
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto I 64
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 64
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
2.4 mi·3 min·I 64
Toward I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cincinnati
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 113Toward US 27, US 68: Paris, LexingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto US 27; US 68
1.2 mi·2 min·North Broadway
12
Turn right onto US KY4
5.8 mi·8 min·West New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 5BToward US 60 West: VersaillesUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto US 60
4.5 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on US 60
1.3 mi·1 min·Lexington Road
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward Elizabethtown
17
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
19
Merge onto I 65
1.2 mi·1 min·I 65
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 91C-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 91C-BToward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
23
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 38BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight right lane.
25
Merge onto I 169
281 ft·3 sec·I 169
26
Continue on I 169
23 mi·24 min·I 169
Exit 106A
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward KY 1682
28
Keep slight left at fork
101 ft·2 sec
29
Turn left onto KY 1682
0.6 mi·46 sec·West Bypass Road
30
Continue on KY 1682
1.6 mi·1 min·Hopkinsville Bypass
31
Continue on KY 1682
0.4 mi·34 sec·Eagle Way
32
Merge onto KY 1682
0.2 mi·11 sec·Hopkinsville Bypass
33
Continue on KY 1682
2.1 mi·2 min·Eagle Way
34
Turn right onto US 68; KY 80
7.1 mi·8 min·Cadiz Road
35
Continue on US 68; KY 80
7.4 mi·8 min·Hopkinsville Road
36
Turn right onto US 68 Business
375 ft·7 sec·Merchant Street
37
Continue on US 68 Business
2.2 mi·3 min·Main Street
38
Turn right onto Brown Street
291 ft·8 sec·Brown Street
39
Turn right onto KY 139
243 ft·4 sec·Jefferson Street
40
Arrive at destination
KY 139
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 169.6 miles from Meads, KY, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.7 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 75 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.6 miles or 3h 12m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cadiz, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 339.1 miles and 6h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Meads, 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 101.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 169.6 mi from Meads, KY
· 3h 12m into the drive
The midpoint is around 169.6 miles from Meads, 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 101.7 miles.
Arriving in Cadiz, KY
The final approach into Cadiz, 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 Cadiz, 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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 187.1
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 116.9
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 222.2
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 339.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.01 one way
$106.03 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$58.21
$116.42
premium
$4.89
$65.26
$130.51
diesel
$5.61
$74.87
$149.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.7
1
$35.61
$16.28
Efficient EV
84.8
0
$29.67
$13.56
EV Truck/SUV
135.6
1
$47.47
$21.70
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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
Meads, KY
Evening
in Meads on Thursday
Local time
5:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cadiz, KY
Afternoon
in Cadiz on Thursday
Local time
4:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 20m 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 Meads, KY to Cadiz, KY covers 339.1 miles and takes about 6h 20m 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 169.6 miles from Meads, KY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $53.01 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 26 significant decision points across 339.1 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 108.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Meads, KY and Cadiz, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Lexington, Elizabethtown, Paducah and Western Kentucky Parkway West.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Camp Nelson National Monument and Mammoth Cave National Park. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
