Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
Later in the drive, right off the route
Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+15029952605
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 10m
Distance
273 mi
439 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
22 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Meads, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Lewisport, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Meads, KY to Lewisport, KY is 273 miles and takes about 5h 10m via I 64, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. It's a primarily highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward journey for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is well within a typical day's driving limit. The estimated fuel cost of $43 suggests a budget-friendly option for a trip of this length.
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
136.5 miles from Meads, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 162.1 mi | 2h 54m |
| US 60 | 66.1 mi | 1h 18m |
| Gene Snyder Freeway | 25.2 mi | 29m |
| Dixie Highway | 14.9 mi | 19m |
| US Route 60 | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| 4th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Midland Trail Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Marsh Hill Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Meads, KY and Lewisport, 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 31W; US 60
Turn right onto US 60
Turn right onto KY 657
Turn right onto Pell Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 5h 10m duration, departing in the morning from Meads, KY will easily get you to Lewisport, KY before evening. With only one recommended stop and a highway-dominant profile, you can be quite flexible with your timing. The longest stretch on I 64 is over 160 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spread out on interstate sections, and aim to refuel during your one planned stop to maintain peace of mind.
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 60 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.5 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lewisport, 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 273 miles and 5h 10m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 136.5 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 162.1 miles.
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.
Top Restaurant
Louisville, Kentucky
Later in the drive, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+15029952605
Ole Frijole Mexican Restaurant
Louisville, Kentucky
Al Forno | Rated Louisville's #1 Italian Restaurant
Louisville, Kentucky
Top Coffee Stop
Mt Sterling, Kentucky
Early in the drive, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+18595850406
Stomping Grounds Coffee Co.
Louisville, Kentucky
The Hub Coffee Co.
Mt Sterling, Kentucky
Later in the drive, right off the route
Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+15029952605
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+15028223388
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Shelbyville, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+15024375678
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 11:30 am–11 pm
+15026537573
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Grayson, Kentucky
Hours: Open 24 hours
+16064744419
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+15028735033
Early in the drive, right off the route
Mt Sterling, Kentucky
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+18595850406
Later in the drive, short detour
Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm
+15029967473
Early in the drive, short detour
Mt Sterling, Kentucky
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
Around the midpoint, short detour
Shelbyville, Kentucky
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+15026477751
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: 7:30 am–7 pm
+15026183809
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Frankfort, Kentucky
Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm
+15028753009
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Frankfort, Kentucky
Hours: 6 am–5 pm
+15023529512
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 106 and 194.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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 Interstate 265, KY 841 South: Gene Snyder Freeway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 31W, US 60: Fort Knox, Louisville
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 Fort Knox, Patton Museum
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$42.68 one way
$85.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.86 | $93.72 |
| premium | $4.89 | $52.54 | $105.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.27 | $120.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
22 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Meijer Store #161 - Tesla Supercharger
Lexington, KY
20 DCFC
Target - Tesla Supercharger
Louisville, KY
16 DCFC
Meijer - Tesla Supercharger
Louisville, KY
12 DCFC
Frisch's Big Boy - Tesla Supercharger
Frankfort, KY
8 DCFC
Meijer 162 (Louisville, KY)
Louisville, KY
6 DCFC
Down Home Diner
Morehead, KY
4 DCFC
Pilot Travel Center 41
Mount Sterling, KY
4 DCFC
Flying J 663
Waddy, KY
4 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.9 | 1 | $28.66 | $13.10 |
| Efficient EV | 68.3 | 0 | $23.89 | $10.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.2 | 1 | $38.22 | $17.47 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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
Afternoon in Meads on Saturday
Local time
3:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Lewisport on Saturday
Local time
2:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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.
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 94% of the drive taking place on interstates and freeways. You'll spend most of your time on I 64, which includes the longest uninterrupted stretch of 162.1 miles. The Gene Snyder Freeway is also a key part of the journey. Expect a consistent driving pace for the majority of the trip, characterized by smooth, high-speed travel. While primarily interstate, the transition onto US 60 offers a slight variation before reaching your destination.
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 106 miles in near I 64.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 273 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 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; at 168.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Lewisport, KY, road signs point toward Cincinnati, Louisville, Fort Knox and Patton Museum.
Cincinnati
Louisville
Fort Knox
Patton Museum
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 273 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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