This 177.3-mile drive from Beechwood Village, KY, to Meads, KY, will take you approximately 3 hours and 19 minutes. With a highway share of 98%, it's a straightforward journey primarily on Interstates and US Routes, making it an excellent candidate for a single-day trip. Budget around $27 for fuel, and plan for just one main stop along the way. The route is focused on efficient travel, allowing you to cover a good distance within the Southeast region of Kentucky without needing an overnight stay. This drive is ideal if you prioritize getting to your destination with minimal fuss.
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
88.6 miles from Beechwood Village, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
168.1 mi
3h 2m
US 60
4 mi
6m
US Route 60
2 mi
3m
Shelbyville Road
0.5 mi
1m
Sage Road
0.3 mi
1m
Midland Trail Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Marsh Hill Drive
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 168.1 mi, about 3h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beechwood Village, KY and Meads, KY.
1
Start on Sage Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Sage Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 60
0.5 mi·1 min·Shelbyville Road
3
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 264 West: Watterson, Expressway
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 264 West, I 64 East: Watterson Expressway, Lexington
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 19AToward I 64 East: LexingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 64 East: Lexington
7
Merge onto I 64
68 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 64
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto I 64
17 mi·18 min·I 64
Exit 111Toward I 64 East: Winchester, AshlandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
84 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 181Toward US 60
11
Turn left onto US 60
4.0 mi·6 min·US 60
12
Turn left onto US 60
2.0 mi·3 min·US Route 60
13
Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive
110 ft·8 sec·Marsh Hill Drive
14
Turn left onto Midland Trail Road
410 ft·19 sec·Midland Trail Road
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 19-minute duration, you can easily complete this 177.3-mile drive in one day. Consider an early morning departure from Beechwood Village to maximize daylight and potentially beat any moderate traffic. With only one recommended stop and a long stretch on I-64, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before you embark. The $27 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check prices. A key tip for this route is to ensure your vehicle is in good condition before leaving, as the majority of the drive is on high-speed highways where breakdowns can be more disruptive.
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 88.6 miles from Beechwood Village, KY, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.1 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.6 miles or 1h 40m 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 41m
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 Beechwood Village, 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 Beechwood Village, KY
This is one driving day of about 177.3 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Beechwood Village, 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 168.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 70.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|US 60 / Shelbyville Road
At end of road, turn left onto US 60 / Shelbyville Road
Navigation decision point
6
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 264 West, I 64 East: Watterson Expressway, Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 264 West, I 64 East: Watterson Express...
8
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 East: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19A
Toward I 64 East: Lexington
5
2.1 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 East: Lexington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 64 East: Lexington
8
70.6 mi into trip|~1h 20m 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
$27.72 one way
$55.44 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.43
$60.87
premium
$4.89
$34.12
$68.24
diesel
$5.61
$39.15
$78.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.2
0
$18.62
$8.51
Efficient EV
44.3
0
$15.51
$7.09
EV Truck/SUV
70.9
0
$24.82
$11.35
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Beechwood Village, KY
Late night
in Beechwood Village on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Meads, KY
Late night
in Meads on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Jeffersonville, KY
89 mi in
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
29 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
3h 19m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 73.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience on this 177.3-mile route, with 98% of your journey utilizing major roadways like I-64 and US 60. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 168.1 miles, meaning you can settle in for a substantial period of consistent driving. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic byways. You'll likely encounter a steady pace for most of the trip, with minimal deviations from the primary highway corridors.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.1 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and US 60. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 60 / Shelbyville Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 177.3 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 60 / Shelbyville Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,111 ft531 ft
Total Climb
828 ft
Total Descent
728 ft
Highest Point
1,111 ft
~139.3 mi in
Elevation Range
580 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Beechwood Village, KY to Meads, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Ashland along the way.
Ashland
70.6 mi in|~1h 20m|via I 64
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 177.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 168.1 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 0.3 miles (US 60 / Shelbyville Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Camp Nelson National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Meads, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
