The drive from Meads, KY to Beaver Dam, KY covers 261.1 miles and takes about 4h 54m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 64, Bluegrass Parkway, Western Kentucky 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 $40.82 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
130.6 miles from Meads, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 261.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 54m highway drive covering 261.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 64 and Bluegrass 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 27 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 Bluegrass Parkway. 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.
Driving Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 261.1 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 106 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
106 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|I 64
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64 toward I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cincinnati
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 64 West, I 75 North: Louisville, Cinci...
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...
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 Beaver Dam, 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
Bluegrass Parkway
70.6 mi
1h 15m
Western Kentucky Parkway
61.4 mi
1h 5m
West New Circle Road
5.8 mi
8m
Versailles Road
4.5 mi
6m
US 60
3.6 mi
5m
US Highway 231
2.6 mi
3m
US Route 60
2.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meads, KY and Beaver Dam, 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
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 75Toward US 231: Morgantown, Beaver Dam
25
Turn right onto US 231
2.6 mi·3 min·US Highway 231
26
Continue on US 231
0.6 mi·52 sec·South Main Street
27
Arrive at destination
US 231
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 130.6 miles from Meads, KY, or about 2h 30m 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 57 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.6 miles or 2h 30m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beaver Dam, 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 261.1 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 130.6 mi from Meads, KY
· 2h 30m into the drive
The midpoint is around 130.6 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 Beaver Dam, KY
The final approach into Beaver Dam, 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 Beaver Dam, 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
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 189.1
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 117.1
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 225.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.82 one way
$81.64 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$44.82
$89.64
premium
$4.89
$50.25
$100.49
diesel
$5.61
$57.65
$115.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.3
0
$27.42
$12.53
Efficient EV
65.3
0
$22.85
$10.44
EV Truck/SUV
104.4
1
$36.55
$16.71
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Morning
in Meads on Friday
Local time
8:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Beaver Dam, KY
Morning
in Beaver Dam on Friday
Local time
7:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
28 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
4h 54m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Meads, KY to Beaver Dam, KY covers 261.1 miles and takes about 4h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 64, Bluegrass Parkway, Western Kentucky 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 130.6 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 $40.82 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 19 significant decision points across 261.1 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 106 miles (I 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
Between Meads, KY and Beaver Dam, 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.
How this page is built
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.
