Rest Area I 64 (East Bound)
0 mi from route
Trip from Cadiz, KY to Meads, KY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 20m
Distance
339.1 mi
546 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 7m
★
6 AM
6h 20m
8 AM
6h 45m
10 AM
6h 29m
12 PM
6h 26m
3 PM
6h 30m
5 PM
6h 44m
8 PM
6h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cadiz, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Meads, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cadiz, KY to Meads, KY is 339.1 miles and takes about 6h 20m via I 64 and Western Kentucky Parkway, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, making it a straightforward drive through the Southeast region. With 89% of the route on highways, expect a generally efficient transit. This is a solid choice for a single-day drive, especially if you prefer covering ground quickly on well-maintained roads. Plan for a direct trip with minimal detours.
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
169.6 miles from Cadiz, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 101.8 mi | 1h 50m |
| Western Kentucky Parkway | 98.2 mi | 1h 45m |
| Bluegrass Parkway | 70.7 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 169 | 22.3 mi | 23m |
| Hopkinsville Road | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| Cadiz Road | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| New Circle Road | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Versailles Road | 4.6 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.8 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~645 veh/hr typical · worst 968
Quietest
2 AM
~56 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cadiz, KY and Meads, KY.
1
Start on KY 139
243 ft
·
7 sec
·
Jefferson Street
2
Turn left onto Brown Street
291 ft
·
13 sec
·
Brown Street
3
Turn left onto US 68 Business
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
4
Continue on US 68 Business
375 ft
·
7 sec
·
Merchant Street
5
Turn left onto US 68; KY 80
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Hopkinsville Road
6
Continue on US 68; KY 80
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Cadiz Road
7
Turn left onto KY 1682
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Eagle Way
8
Continue on KY 1682
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Hopkinsville Bypass
9
Continue on KY 1682
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
·
Eagle Way
10
Continue on KY 1682
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
West Bypass Road
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
12
Merge onto I 169
22 mi
·
23 min
·
I 169
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 34A
Toward Elizabethtown
14
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
Western Kentucky Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 137B
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Use the right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
17
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 65
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 93
Toward Lexington, Bardstown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
Bluegrass Parkway
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
21
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Lexington Road
22
Continue on US 60
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
24
Merge onto KY 4
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn left onto US 27; US 68
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broadway
26
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
27
Merge onto I 64; I 75
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 64; I 75
28
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.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
84 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
I 64
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 181
Toward US 60
31
Turn left onto US 60
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
US 60
32
Turn left onto US 60
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US Route 60
33
Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive
110 ft
·
8 sec
·
Marsh Hill Drive
34
Turn left onto Midland Trail Road
410 ft
·
19 sec
·
Midland Trail Road
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 20m estimated driving time, leaving Cadiz, KY in the morning will allow you to reach Meads, KY well before evening. The route's highway-heavy nature means you can cover significant distance efficiently. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the 101.8-mile stretch on I 64 with a brief pause for fuel or a stretch. The fuel cost estimate of $53 is helpful for budgeting. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly as you move onto the less developed sections after exiting the main parkways.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169.6 miles from Cadiz, KY, or about 3h 7m 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 75 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.6 miles or 3h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 12m
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 Cadiz, 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 Cadiz, KY
This is one driving day of about 339.1 miles and 6h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Cadiz, 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
170 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 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 169.6 miles from Cadiz, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area I 64 (West Bound)
0 mi from route
WK Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Beaver Dam Rest Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 143.1 and 232.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
143.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m 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
143.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m 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
145.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m 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
230.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m 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
232.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 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
$50.08 one way
$100.15 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
119 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $55.28 | $110.57 |
| premium | $4.72 | $62.96 | $125.92 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $64.03 | $128.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 101.7 | 1 | $35.61 | $16.28 |
| Efficient EV | 84.8 | 0 | $29.67 | $13.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 135.6 | 1 | $47.47 | $21.70 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Origin
Cadiz, KY
Evening in Cadiz on Saturday
Local time
8:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 2 to 7 mph
51% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Meads, KY
Night in Meads on Saturday
Local time
9:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 2 mph
43% chance
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
3 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
6h 20m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
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 152
View on nps.gov
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 222.2
View on nps.gov
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 116.9
View on nps.gov
Fort Donelson National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donels...
26 mi from route
~66 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?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 89% of the 339.1 miles on major roadways like I 64 and the Western Kentucky Parkway. You'll experience a significant stretch of 101.8 miles on I 64 without stopping, offering consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur after the extensive highway portions, likely presenting a more rural feel as you approach Meads, KY. Expect a steady pace for the majority of your time behind the wheel.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 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 Western Kentucky Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 143.1 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 22 significant decision points across 339.1 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 143.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
980 ft
412 ft
Total Climb
1,052 ft
Total Descent
839 ft
Highest Point
980 ft
~242.2 mi in
Elevation Range
568 ft
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.
Between Cadiz, KY and Meads, KY, road signs point toward Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown and Ashland.
Elizabethtown
44.3 mi in
|
~51m
Louisville
143.1 mi in
|
~2h 37m
Lexington
145.4 mi in
|
~2h 41m
Bardstown
145.4 mi in
|
~2h 41m
Ashland
230.4 mi in
|
~4h 18m
About the Cities
Starting in Cadiz, KY
Full guide →Founded 1820
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 20m. Total distance: 339.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 143.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.4 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 (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Meads, KY before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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