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Trip from Beaver Dam, KY to Meads, KY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 54m

Distance

261.6 mi

421 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 41m ★
6 AM
4h 55m
8 AM
5h 22m
10 AM
5h 4m
12 PM
5h 1m
3 PM
5h 5m
5 PM
5h 20m
8 PM
4h 46m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Kentucky, USA

Beaver Dam, KY

Wikimedia Commons

suburb in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, UK

Meads, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 261.6-mile journey from Beaver Dam, KY to Meads, KY is a straightforward drive, estimated to take about 4 hours and 54 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-64, the Bluegrass Parkway, and the Western Kentucky Parkway, it's a highly efficient route with 93% of it on highways, making it ideal for a single-day trip. With a projected fuel cost of around $40, this drive through Kentucky's Southeast region is quite budget-friendly. You'll experience a consistent highway pace for most of the trip, with only one recommended stop, allowing for a direct and timely arrival at your destination.

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

130.8 miles from Beaver Dam, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 64 101.8 mi 1h 50m
Bluegrass Parkway 70.7 mi 1h 15m
Western Kentucky Parkway 61.9 mi 1h 6m
New Circle Road 5.7 mi 8m
Versailles Road 4.6 mi 6m
US 60 4 mi 6m
US Highway 231 2.8 mi 4m
US Route 60 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 64 — 101.8 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Beaver Dam, KY and Meads, KY.

1

Start on US 231

0.6 mi · 52 sec · South Main Street
2

Continue on US 231

2.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 231
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
4

Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway

62 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 137B Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville Use the right lane.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
7

Merge onto I 65

1.4 mi · 1 min · I 65
8

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 93 Toward Lexington, Bardstown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on Bluegrass Parkway

71 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Bluegrass Parkway
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
11

Turn right onto US 60

1.7 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
12

Continue on US 60

4.6 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
13

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
14

Merge onto KY 4

5.7 mi · 8 min · New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn left onto US 27; US 68

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Broadway
16

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
17

Merge onto I 64; I 75

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 64; I 75
18

Take the exit onto I 64

17 mi · 18 min · I 64
Exit 111 Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland Use the slight left / straight lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 64

84 mi · 1 hr 29 min · I 64
20

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Exit 181 Toward US 60
21

Turn left onto US 60

4.0 mi · 6 min · US 60
22

Turn left onto US 60

2.0 mi · 3 min · US Route 60
23

Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive

110 ft · 8 sec · Marsh Hill Drive
24

Turn left onto Midland Trail Road

410 ft · 19 sec · Midland Trail Road
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 54-minute duration and 261.6-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and allow ample time for your single recommended stop without feeling rushed. The fuel cost is estimated at $40, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Beaver Dam. Keep an eye on the mile markers, especially during the 101.8-mile stretch on I-64, to gauge your progress and plan your break accordingly. The high percentage of highway driving means you can maintain a steady pace.

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 130.8 miles from Beaver Dam, KY, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.8 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 58 miles or 1h 3m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 130.8 miles or 2h 23m 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

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meads, KY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Beaver Dam, 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 Beaver Dam, KY

This is one driving day of about 261.6 miles and 4h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Beaver Dam, 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 101.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Jessamine County, Kentucky, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Nicholasville, KY

131 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.

Popular next leg

Nicholasville, KY to Meads, KY

121.7 mi · 2h 24m

Pacing Suggestions

Elizabethtown, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nicholasville, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 130.8 miles from Beaver Dam, 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 101.8 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Cinco De Mayo Mexican Bar And Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bardstown, Kentucky

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.4

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15023501145

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bardstown, Kentucky

1 mi

Wings and Rings

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bardstown, Kentucky

1.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Leestown Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 149.5

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18595545900

Visit website

Third Street Stuff

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

2 mi

Old School Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, Kentucky

2.1 mi

Cinco De Mayo Mexican Bar And Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.4

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15023501145

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.4

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15023501333

Visit website

Wings and Rings

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.4

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15023491963

Visit website

Huddle House

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.4

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+15023497540

Visit website

Mi Lindo Cuernavaca tienda taqueria

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.4

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+15023316034

Visit website

Toogie's Table

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 93.4

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 5–8:30 pm

+15022750891

Visit website

The Hall on Main Coffee & Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 168.2

Winchester, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18593105185

Zaxbys Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 93.4

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+15023488088

Visit website

Leestown Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 149.5

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18595545900

Visit website

Third Street Stuff

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 149.5

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

+18592555301

Visit website

Old School Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 149.5

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18593091968

Visit website

Chaotic Good: Coffee, Comics and Games

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 149.5

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 8:30 am–10 pm

+18593038668

Visit website

The Greenery: Coffee + Social Space

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 149.5

Lexington, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

Visit website

Fresh Coffee, Pastries & More

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 93.4

Bardstown, Kentucky

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15023316345

Visit website

The Hub Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 186.9

Mt Sterling, Kentucky

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18595850406

Woodhouse Coffee Company

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 168.2

Winchester, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18599793377

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 65.5 and 154.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
65.5 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in

Take the exit toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville

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

Use the right lane. Exit 137B Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
6
65.9 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
8
67.9 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in

Take the exit toward Lexington, Bardstown

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 93 Toward Lexington, Bardstown
6
152.8 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in

Turn left toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashlan...
8
154.9 mi into trip | ~2h 55m in | I 64

Take the exit onto I 64 toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland

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

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 111 Toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.90 one way

$81.80 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $44.90 $89.81
premium $4.89 $50.34 $100.69
diesel $5.61 $57.76 $115.52

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: 91.5 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 78.5 0 $27.47 $12.56
Efficient EV 65.4 0 $22.89 $10.46
EV Truck/SUV 104.6 1 $36.62 $16.74

Gas CO2

92 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

Beaver Dam, KY

Night in Beaver Dam on Saturday

Local time

9:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Meads, KY

Night in Meads on Saturday

Local time

10:48 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°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 later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

28 degrees cooler 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park

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 ~26 min detour Free near mile 72.2
View on nps.gov
Camp Nelson National Monument

Camp Nelson National Monument

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...

17 mi from route ~43 min detour Free near mile 144.4
View on nps.gov
Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park

National Park

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 36.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 93% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 101.8 miles on I-64, indicating long periods of consistent driving. This character suggests a smooth, albeit potentially less varied, journey. The transition between I-64, the Bluegrass Parkway, and the Western Kentucky Parkway should maintain a high-speed profile throughout most of the 4-hour and 54-minute travel time, making it a predictable drive for those seeking efficient travel.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.8 mi on I 64.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 65.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 18 significant decision points across 261.6 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 65.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Beaver Dam, KY and Meads, KY, road signs point toward Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown and Ashland.

Louisville

65.5 mi in | ~1h 12m

Lexington

67.9 mi in | ~1h 15m

Bardstown

67.9 mi in | ~1h 15m

Ashland

152.8 mi in | ~2h 52m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 261.6 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 101.8 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Meads, KY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 65.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Camp Nelson National Monument and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Meads, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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