Origin
Bloomfield, KY
Late night in Bloomfield on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bloomfield, 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
3h 7m
Distance
163.4 mi
263 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 56m
★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bloomfield, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Meads, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 163.4-mile journey from Bloomfield to Meads, Kentucky, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 7 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. The route primarily utilizes I-64 and the Bluegrass Parkway, making it a largely highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $26, it's an economical option for exploring within the Southeast region of Kentucky. This drive offers a practical way to cover ground efficiently.
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
81.7 miles from Bloomfield, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 101.8 mi | 1h 50m |
| Bluegrass Parkway | 37.8 mi | 40m |
| New Circle Road | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Versailles Road | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 6m |
| Springfield Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| US Route 60 | 2 mi | 3m |
| Lexington Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.8 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomfield, KY and Meads, KY.
1
Start on US 62; KY 55
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Springfield Road
2
Continue on KY 55
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Springfield Road
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
4
Merge onto Bluegrass Parkway
38 mi
·
40 min
·
Bluegrass Parkway
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
6
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Lexington Road
7
Continue on US 60
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
9
Merge onto KY 4
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto US 27; US 68
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broadway
11
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
12
Merge onto I 64; I 75
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 64; I 75
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
84 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
I 64
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 181
Toward US 60
16
Turn left onto US 60
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
US 60
17
Turn left onto US 60
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US Route 60
18
Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive
110 ft
·
8 sec
·
Marsh Hill Drive
19
Turn left onto Midland Trail Road
410 ft
·
19 sec
·
Midland Trail Road
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given its manageable 3-hour duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure time. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps after the longest uninterrupted stretch of 101.8 miles on I-64. The estimated fuel cost of $26 is quite reasonable, so keep your tank topped off, especially before embarking on the longer highway segments. Be mindful of the transitions between I-64, the Bluegrass Parkway, and New Circle Road, as these can sometimes involve changes in traffic patterns.
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 81.7 miles from Bloomfield, KY, or about 1h 36m 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 36 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.7 miles or 1h 36m 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 32m
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 Bloomfield, 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 Bloomfield, KY
This is one driving day of about 163.4 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Bloomfield, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.7 miles from Bloomfield, 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 101.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 40.9 and 156.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
40.9 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 60 West: Frankfort
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
5
47.9 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
KY 4 / New Circle Road
Merge onto KY 4 / New Circle Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
54.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
56.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
5
156.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 60
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 181
Toward US 60
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.55 one way
$51.09 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.05 | $56.10 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.44 | $62.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.08 | $72.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49 | 0 | $17.16 | $7.84 |
| Efficient EV | 40.9 | 0 | $14.30 | $6.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.4 | 0 | $22.88 | $10.46 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Meads, KY
Late night in Meads on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Winchester, KY
82 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
20 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 7m 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 45.1
View on nps.gov
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...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect an 89% highway-focused experience on this route. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on faster roads, including a substantial 101.8-mile stretch on I-64. This means fewer stops and a more direct transit feel for much of the drive. While the majority is highway, transitions between main roads like I-64, the Bluegrass Parkway, and New Circle Road will offer slight changes in scenery and speed. It’s a drive designed for covering distance with relative ease.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
7/10
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 40.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 163.4 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 40.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 47.9 miles (KY 4 / New Circle Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.6 miles: 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.
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 Bloomfield, KY to Meads, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Ashland along the way.
Ashland
54.6 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 163.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). 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 40.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 47.9 miles (KY 4 / New Circle Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Camp Nelson National Monument and Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 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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