This 195.5-mile journey from Hodgenville, KY, to Meads, KY, is easily manageable as a one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 49 minutes. You'll primarily navigate on I-64 and the Bluegrass Parkway, with a portion on Bardstown Road, making it an 81% highway-focused drive. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $31, offering a budget-friendly excursion. This drive is well-suited for a single day, allowing ample time to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. The route offers a straightforward path through the Southeast region of Kentucky.
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
97.8 miles from Hodgenville, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
101.8 mi
1h 50m
Bluegrass Parkway
50.5 mi
54m
Bardstown Road
10 mi
14m
New Haven Road
10 mi
14m
New Circle Road
5.7 mi
8m
Versailles Road
4.6 mi
6m
US 60
4 mi
6m
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 Hodgenville, KY and Meads, KY.
1
Start on US 31E; KY 84; KY 210
17 ft·0 sec·East Main Street
2
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
442 ft·7 sec·East Main Street
3
Continue on East Main Street
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Main Street
4
Continue on US 31E; KY 84
10 mi·14 min·Bardstown Road
5
Continue on US 31E
1.7 mi·2 min·South Main Street
6
Continue on US 31E
10 mi·14 min·New Haven Road
7
Take the ramp onto US 31E Truck
0.3 mi·38 sec·US 31E Truck
8
Merge onto Bluegrass Parkway; US 31E Truck
50 mi·54 min·Bluegrass Parkway; US 31E Truck
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
10
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
11
Continue on US 60
4.6 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
13
Merge onto KY 4
5.7 mi·8 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto US 27; US 68
1.0 mi·1 min·North Broadway
15
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
16
Merge onto I 64; I 75
1.6 mi·1 min·I 64; I 75
17
Take the exit onto I 64
17 mi·18 min·I 64
Exit 111Toward I 64 East: Winchester, AshlandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
84 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 181Toward US 60
20
Turn left onto US 60
4.0 mi·6 min·US 60
21
Turn left onto US 60
2.0 mi·3 min·US Route 60
22
Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive
110 ft·8 sec·Marsh Hill Drive
23
Turn left onto Midland Trail Road
410 ft·19 sec·Midland Trail Road
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 49-minute duration, this 195.5-mile trip is ideal for a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. You can comfortably complete this drive without needing to split it into multiple days. Plan for one stop, perhaps during the longest 101.8-mile stretch on I-64, to refuel and stretch your legs. With a fuel cost estimated at $31, budgeting is straightforward. Consider leaving earlier in the day to maximize your time at your destination, and keep an eye on the highway share to anticipate longer stretches of faster driving.
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 97.8 miles from Hodgenville, KY, or about 2h 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 43 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.8 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 8m
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 Hodgenville, 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 Hodgenville, KY
This is one driving day of about 195.5 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Hodgenville, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 88.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Main Street
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
73.1 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 60 West: Frankfort
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
5
80.1 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
86.7 mi into trip|~1h 47m 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
88.9 mi into trip|~1h 50m 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
$30.56 one way
$61.13 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.56
$67.12
premium
$4.89
$37.62
$75.24
diesel
$5.61
$43.16
$86.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.7
0
$20.53
$9.38
Efficient EV
48.9
0
$17.11
$7.82
EV Truck/SUV
78.2
0
$27.37
$12.51
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Hodgenville, KY
Late night
in Hodgenville on Sunday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
S 8 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Meads, KY
Late night
in Meads on Sunday
Local time
4:06 AM
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
34 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 49m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
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 67.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience on this 195.5-mile route, with 81% of the drive taking place on major roadways like I-64 and the Bluegrass Parkway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 101.8 miles on I-64, providing a good opportunity for consistent progress. While the majority is highway, transitions onto roads like Bardstown Road will offer a change of pace. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes efficient travel over winding, scenic byways, allowing you to cover ground quickly.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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 early in the drive near East Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 195.5 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: near the start (East Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 73.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 80.1 miles (KY 4 / New Circle Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Hodgenville, KY to Meads, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Ashland along the way.
Ashland
86.7 mi in|~1h 47m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 49m. Total distance: 195.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). 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: near the start (East Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 73.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 80.1 miles (KY 4 / New Circle Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and Camp Nelson National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Meads, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
