Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 18m
Distance
118.5 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
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
Monticello, KY
Vietnam Hidden Light
This straightforward 118.5-mile drive from Meads, KY to Monticello, KY takes about 2 hours and 18 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on I 64 and US 60, with 89% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $19, which is quite budget-friendly for a single day's travel. Given the relatively short duration and focus on well-traveled roads, this route is best enjoyed in one go, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. Both Meads and Monticello are located in the Southeast region of Kentucky, so you'll be exploring within the same general area.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.2 miles from Meads, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 118.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 118.5-mile trip. With 89% of the drive on major roads like I 64 and US 60, you'll encounter consistent speeds and efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 99.3 miles on I 64, offering a good opportunity to settle in and make progress. East New Circle Road will also play a part in connecting you to these main arteries. This route is designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss, rather than offering winding scenic detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and East New Circle Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 106 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 118.5 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 106 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 South: Richmond, Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 60: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward KY 4 South: New Circle Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 27: Nicholasville, Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto US 27 / Nicholasville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Meads, KY to Monticello, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Knoxville along the way.
Knoxville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 99.3 mi | 1h 46m |
| East New Circle Road | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| US 60 | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| US Route 60 | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Winchester Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| West Reynolds Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Keithshire Way | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Nicholasville Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Meads, KY and Monticello, 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 left at fork
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 60
Take the exit
Merge onto KY 4
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 27
Turn right onto West Reynolds Road
Enter roundabout onto Keithshire Way
Continue on Keithshire Way
Turn left onto Holwyn Road
Turn left onto Halifax Drive
Arrive at destination
Since this drive is under 2.5 hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever works best for you, perhaps in the morning to maximize your day at Monticello. With no designated stops in the data, plan for a quick fuel and restroom break if needed, especially before you start the longest 99.3-mile stretch on I 64. The estimated fuel cost of $19 is quite reasonable, so you shouldn't have any budget surprises there. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of that long highway segment, as services might be more spaced out.
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.
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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.2 miles or 1h 7m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monticello, 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 118.5 miles and 2h 18m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.2 mi from Meads, KY · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 59.2 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 99.3 miles.
The final approach into Monticello, 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 Monticello, KY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$18.53 one way
$37.05 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.34 | $40.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.80 | $45.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.16 | $52.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.44 | $5.69 |
| Efficient EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.37 | $4.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.59 | $7.58 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Meads on Friday
Local time
1:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Afternoon in Monticello on Friday
Local time
1:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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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