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Trip from Meads, KY to Carlisle, KY

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

Drive Time

1h 57m

Distance

90.7 mi

146 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 49m ★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 15m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 2m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 14m
8 PM
1h 53m

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

suburb in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, UK

Meads, KY

Wikimedia Commons

seat of Nicholas County, Kentucky, United States

Carlisle, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 90.7-mile journey from Meads, KY to Carlisle, KY is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 57 minutes to complete. With 85% of the drive on highways, you'll spend most of your time on I-64 and KY-36. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, making it an economical option for a quick excursion within the Southeast region. This route is primarily focused on efficient travel, so if you're looking for a leisurely drive with many roadside attractions, this might not be the best fit. However, for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss, it's a straightforward option.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

45.3 miles from Meads, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 90.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 85% of the route utilizing faster roads like I-64. You'll experience a significant stretch of 57.7 miles on I-64, which provides a consistent pace for a good portion of the journey. As you transition to KY-36 and Moorefield Road, the character may shift slightly, offering a different driving feel. This route prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently, rather than winding through charming local backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 57.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and KY 36. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Marsh Hill Drive.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 57m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Marsh Hill Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 60 / US Route 60): Navigation decision point; at 64.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Marsh Hill Drive

Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive

Navigation decision point

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 60 / US Route 60

Turn right onto US 60 / US Route 60

Navigation decision point

6
64.5 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in

Take the exit toward US 60: Salt Lick, Owingsville

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

Exit 123 Toward US 60: Salt Lick, Owingsville
5
78.1 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | KY 11; KY 36

At end of road, turn right onto KY 11; KY 36

Navigation decision point

4
81.9 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | KY 36 / Moorefield Road

Keep slight right at fork onto KY 36 / Moorefield Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Meads, KY to Carlisle, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Owingsville along the way.

Owingsville

64.5 mi in | ~1h 12m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 57.7 mi 1h 1m
KY 36 10.9 mi 19m
Moorefield Road 10.1 mi 17m
US 60 3.6 mi 5m
US Route 60 2.6 mi 4m
KY 11 2.1 mi 3m
Midland Trail 2 mi 3m
East Main Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 57.7 mi, about 1h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Meads, KY and Carlisle, 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

58 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 64
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 42 sec
Exit 123 Toward US 60: Salt Lick, Owingsville
10

Turn straight onto US 60

2.0 mi · 3 min · Midland Trail
11

Continue on US 60

0.2 mi · 23 sec · East High Street
12

Turn right onto KY 36

11 mi · 19 min · KY 36
13

At end of road, turn right onto KY 11; KY 36

2.1 mi · 3 min · KY 11; KY 36
14

Turn left onto KY 36

1.7 mi · 2 min · Moorefield Road
15

Keep slight right at fork onto KY 36

8.4 mi · 14 min · Moorefield Road
16

Continue on KY 36

0.3 mi · 35 sec · East Main Street
17

Arrive at destination

KY 36

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of under two hours, this route offers great flexibility, so you can leave whenever is most convenient for you. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 57.7 miles on I-64, so plan for a quick stop before or after this segment if you prefer not to drive that far in one go. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, it’s a budget-friendly trip. Keep an eye out for signs directing you onto KY-36 and Moorefield Road as you approach Carlisle, as these will be your final segments before arrival.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.3 miles from Meads, KY, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.7 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 20 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 45.3 miles or 52m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carlisle, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Meads, KY

This is one driving day of about 90.7 miles and 1h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Meads, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 57.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 45.3 mi from Meads, KY · 52m into the drive

city in Rowan County, Kentucky

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Morehead, KY

45 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

Grayson, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Morehead, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.3 miles from Meads, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Carlisle, KY

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

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.18 one way

$28.36 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $15.57 $31.14
premium $4.89 $17.45 $34.91
diesel $5.61 $20.03 $40.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.2 0 $9.52 $4.35
Efficient EV 22.7 0 $7.94 $3.63
EV Truck/SUV 36.3 0 $12.70 $5.80

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (66% 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Meads, KY

Afternoon in Meads on Friday

Local time

3:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Carlisle, KY

Afternoon in Carlisle on Friday

Local time

3:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

72°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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

23 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

1h 57m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Meads, KY to Carlisle, KY covers 90.7 miles and takes about 1h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 64, KY 36, Moorefield Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 45.3 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 $14.18 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This is a straightforward 1h 57m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Marsh Hill Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 60 / US Route 60): Navigation decision point; at 64.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

On the drive from Meads, KY to Carlisle, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Owingsville along the way.

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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