Ledbetter, KY to Meads, KY is 358.7 miles and takes about 6h 42m via I 64 and Western Kentucky Parkway, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Kentucky, traversing the Southeast region for its entirety. Given its primarily highway nature and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstates and parkways, making it a practical choice for a single-day transit.
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
179.3 miles from Ledbetter, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
101.8 mi
1h 50m
Western Kentucky Parkway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi
1h 15m
I 69
38.3 mi
41m
I 24
10.1 mi
10m
New Circle Road
5.7 mi
8m
Adair Street
4.7 mi
5m
Versailles Road
4.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 101.8 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ledbetter, KY and Meads, KY.
1
Start on US 60
4.7 mi·5 min·Adair Street
2
Turn right onto KY 937
3.0 mi·4 min·Cutoff Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto KY 453
3.1 mi·4 min·Iuka Road
4
Turn right onto KY 453
4.0 mi·6 min·Dover Road
5
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
6
Merge onto I 24; I 69
10 mi·10 min·I 24; I 69
7
Take the exit onto I 69
38 mi·41 min·I 69
Exit 42Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
8
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway
0.3 mi·22 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106A-BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106BToward ElizabethtownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
12
Merge onto I 65
1.4 mi·1 min·I 65
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 93Toward Lexington, BardstownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·Bluegrass Parkway
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 60 West: Frankfort
16
Turn right onto US 60
1.7 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
17
Continue on US 60
4.6 mi·6 min·Versailles Road
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
19
Merge onto KY 4
5.7 mi·8 min·New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto US 27; US 68
1.0 mi·1 min·North Broadway
21
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
22
Merge onto I 64; I 75
1.6 mi·1 min·I 64; I 75
23
Take the exit onto I 64
17 mi·18 min·I 64
Exit 111Toward I 64 East: Winchester, AshlandUse the slight left / straight lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 64
84 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 64
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 181Toward US 60
26
Turn left onto US 60
4.0 mi·6 min·US 60
27
Turn left onto US 60
2.0 mi·3 min·US Route 60
28
Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive
110 ft·8 sec·Marsh Hill Drive
29
Turn left onto Midland Trail Road
410 ft·19 sec·Midland Trail Road
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 6h 42m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to ensure you have ample daylight. With only one recommended stop and a substantial 101.8-mile stretch on I 64, plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically before you hit that longer segment. The $56 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check prices in your area before departing. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, aiming to depart by 9 AM will give you a comfortable buffer and avoid arriving too late.
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 179.3 miles from Ledbetter, KY, or about 3h 19m 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 79 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.3 miles or 3h 19m 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 34m
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 Ledbetter, 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 Ledbetter, KY
This is one driving day of about 358.7 miles and 6h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Ledbetter, 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.1 and 252 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
25.1 mi into trip|~31m in|I 69
Take the exit onto I 69 toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
8
63.4 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|Western Kentucky Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 106A-B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
8
162.6 mi into trip|~3h 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
8
164.9 mi into trip|~3h 3m 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
8
252 mi into trip|~4h 43m 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
$56.08 one way
$112.16 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$61.57
$123.14
premium
$4.89
$69.03
$138.06
diesel
$5.61
$79.20
$158.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.6
1
$37.66
$17.22
Efficient EV
89.7
1
$31.39
$14.35
EV Truck/SUV
143.5
1
$50.22
$22.96
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Ledbetter, KY
Late night
in Ledbetter on Sunday
Local time
2:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Meads, KY
Late night
in Meads on Sunday
Local time
3:34 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
31 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
6h 42m 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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 173.2
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 235
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 136.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 91% of the 358.7 miles on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 101.8 miles on I 64. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the majority of the trip, with fewer surface road transitions until the very end. The high highway percentage suggests a relatively smooth drive with frequent, but not overwhelming, exit ramps.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 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 25.1 miles in near I 69.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 358.7 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 25.1 miles (I 69): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.4 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.6 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 Ledbetter, KY and Meads, KY, road signs point toward Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville, Lexington, Bardstown and Ashland.
Princeton
25.1 mi in|~31m|via I 69
Elizabethtown
63.7 mi in|~1h 14m|via Western Kentucky Parkway
Louisville
162.6 mi in|~3h
Lexington
164.9 mi in|~3h 3m
Bardstown
164.9 mi in|~3h 3m
Ashland
249.9 mi in|~4h 40m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 42m. Total distance: 358.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 42m 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.
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 25.1 miles (I 69): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.4 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 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.
