Fort Wright Family Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Fort Wright, Kentucky
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
+18593318359
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 3m
Distance
134.1 mi
216 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Good
3 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Park Hills, KY
Vitali Adutskevich
Meads, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Park Hills to Meads is 134.1 miles and takes about 3h 3m via AA Highway and I 64, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, traversing the Southeast region for its entirety. Expect a route characterized by frequent turns and local road driving, making it a more engaging experience than a straightforward interstate journey. With a drive time under four hours and a modest fuel cost, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, offering a practical way to get from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
67.1 miles from Park Hills, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 134.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
This drive is best described as turn-heavy, with a significant portion on local roads rather than high-speed highways. Only 11% of the journey is on highways, meaning you'll be navigating more varied terrain and road conditions. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 109 miles along the AA Highway, offering a more consistent pace before transitioning. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience, as the route shifts between the efficiency of major roads like I 64 and US 60, and the more winding, community-focused paths of local routes.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near KY 1072 / Sleepy Hollow Road.
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 18 significant decision points across 134.1 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 0.6 miles (KY 1072 / Sleepy Hollow Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1 miles (US 25; US 42; US 127; KY 1072 / Dixie Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (KY 17 / Madison Pike): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn sharp left onto KY 1072 / Sleepy Hollow Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
At end of road, turn right onto US 25; US 42; US 127; KY 1072 / Dixie Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto KY 17 / Madison Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward KY 9, AA: Wilder, Maysville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward KY 9, AA: Alexandria, Maysville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Park Hills, KY and Meads, KY, road signs point toward Aa: Wilder, Maysville, Aa: Alexandria and Alexandria.
Aa: Wilder
Maysville
Aa: Alexandria
Alexandria
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| AA Highway | 109 mi | 2h 26m |
| I 64 | 9.2 mi | 9m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 6m |
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| US Route 60 | 2 mi | 3m |
| Highland Pike | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Licking Pike | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Kyles Lane | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Park Hills, KY and Meads, KY.
Start on this road
Turn left onto Hamilton Road
Turn left onto Amsterdam Road
Turn sharp left onto KY 1072
At end of road, turn right onto US 25; US 42; US 127; KY 1072
Turn left onto KY 1072
Continue on KY 1072
Turn right onto KY 17
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 275
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto KY 9; AA
Continue on KY 9; AA
Continue on KY 9; KY 1149; AA
Take the exit
Merge onto KY 1; KY 7
Take the exit
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 60
Turn left onto US 60
Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive
Turn left onto Midland Trail Road
Arrive at destination
Given the 3h 3m duration, starting your drive in Park Hills after the morning rush, around 9:00 AM, should allow ample time to reach Meads comfortably within daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your timing; consider a brief break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition off the AA Highway, as services might be more spaced out on the local roads. The $21 fuel estimate is quite reasonable, so you won't need to worry excessively about budgeting for gas on this 134.1-mile trip.
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 30 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.1 miles or 1h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meads, KY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Park Hills, 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 Park Hills, KY
This is one driving day of about 134.1 miles and 3h 3m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67.1 mi from Park Hills, KY · 1h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 67.1 miles from Park Hills, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before AA Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109 miles.
The final approach into Meads, 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 Meads, 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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Fort Wright, Kentucky
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
+18593318359
Bouquet Restaurant
Covington, Kentucky
Riverside Korean Restaurant
Covington, Kentucky
Top Coffee Stop
Park Hills, Kentucky
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm
+18592614939
Ludlow Coffee
Ludlow, Kentucky
Deeper Roots Coffee
Cincinnati, Ohio
Near the start, right off the route
Fort Wright, Kentucky
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
+18593318359
Near the start, short detour
Covington, Kentucky
Hours: 4–10 pm
+18594917777
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Covington, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm
+18592911484
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Covington, Kentucky
Hours: 7 am–11 pm
+18599056800
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 5–10 pm
+15134216482
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+15138225154
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+15134210049
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Newport, Kentucky
Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm
+18592616112
Near the start, right off the route
Park Hills, Kentucky
Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm
+18592614939
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Ludlow, Kentucky
Hours: 6 am–12 pm
+18593412928
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm
+15133812141
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+15137212233
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm
+15133833000
Near the start, ~11 min detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Maysville, Kentucky
Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm
+16065645865
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+15135416366
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Regular Gas
$20.97 one way
$41.93 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.02 | $46.04 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.81 | $51.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.61 | $59.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
3 DC fast chargers · Coverage: good
Valley Plaza Parkway - Tesla Supercharger
Fort Mitchell, KY
8 DCFC
LOVE'S 418 - KY #418 DC2
Grayson, KY
2 DCFC
LOVE'S 418 - KY #418 DC1
Grayson, KY
2 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.08 | $6.44 |
| Efficient EV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.73 | $5.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.77 | $8.58 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Evening in Park Hills on Friday
Local time
8:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Meads on Friday
Local time
8:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
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.
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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