Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 12m
Distance
214.3 mi
345 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Meads, KY
Wikimedia Commons
Albany, KY
Wikimedia Commons
This 214.3-mile journey from Meads, KY to Albany, KY will take approximately 4 hours and 12 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible day trip. You'll be traveling primarily on local roads, with no highway driving to speak of, so expect a relaxed pace. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $33. This drive stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout. Given its manageable length and turn-heavy nature, this route is best enjoyed with a single, unhurried day of travel, allowing you to fully appreciate the local scenery.
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
107.2 miles from Meads, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 64 | 84.6 mi | 1h 30m |
| KY 90 | 37.1 mi | 49m |
| I 75 | 32.1 mi | 34m |
| Cumberland Lake Parkway | 18 mi | 21m |
| Boonesboro Road | 12.4 mi | 15m |
| Hal Rogers Parkway | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| KY 914 | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| KY 1247 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Meads, KY and Albany, KY.
Start on this road
Continue on Midland Trail Road
Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive
Turn right onto US 60
Continue on US 60
Turn right onto US 60
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 64
Take the exit
Turn left onto KY 627
Continue on KY 627
Turn right onto KY 627
Continue on KY 627
Take the exit
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 25
Turn straight onto KY 461
Merge onto KY 80
Turn left onto KY 914
Continue on KY 914
Turn left onto KY 1247
Continue on KY 90
Turn left onto US 127
Turn left onto US 127 Business
Turn left onto KY 350
Turn left onto US 127 Business; KY 350
Turn right onto KY 350
Arrive at destination
With a total duration of 4 hours and 12 minutes, this 214.3-mile trip is perfect for a single-day adventure. Consider an early morning departure from Meads to maximize daylight hours and allow ample time for any spontaneous stops. Since there are no designated highway stretches, plan for your single stop to be a good opportunity to refuel and perhaps grab a bite. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you navigate the local roads, and remember that the estimated fuel cost is $33. The 'turn-heavy' nature of this route means staying alert and enjoying the winding path.
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.
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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.2 miles or 2h 2m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, KY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Meads, 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 Meads, KY
This is one driving day of about 214.3 miles and 4h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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.
A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 107.2 miles from Meads, 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 84.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 91.4 and 139.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward KY 627: Paris , Winchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 75 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$33.50 one way
$67.01 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.79 | $73.57 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.24 | $82.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.31 | $94.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.50 | $10.29 |
| Efficient EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.75 | $8.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.7 | 1 | $30.00 | $13.72 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Meads on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Destination
Night in Albany on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
51°F
Richmond, KY
107 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Monument
The US won a significant victory early in the Civil War at the Battle of Mill Springs. Explore the rolling fields of Kentucky where the battle took place and learn about that state's strategic importa...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Prepare for a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, as indicated by the 0% highway share. You'll be navigating roads like Midland Trail Road and Marsh Hill Drive, which means frequent turns and a more intimate connection with the landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests you'll be managing your speed and attention consistently. This drive offers a continuous engagement with the local environment rather than long, high-speed segments.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and KY 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 91.4 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 214.3 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 91.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 107.5 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Meads, KY and Albany, KY, road signs point toward Winchester and Mount Vernon.
Winchester
Mount Vernon
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 214.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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