This straightforward 118.5-mile drive from Meads, KY to Monticello, KY takes about 2 hours and 18 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on I 64 and US 60, with 89% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $19, which is quite budget-friendly for a single day's travel. Given the relatively short duration and focus on well-traveled roads, this route is best enjoyed in one go, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. Both Meads and Monticello are located in the Southeast region of Kentucky, so you'll be exploring within the same general area.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.2 miles from Meads, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
99.3 mi
1h 46m
East New Circle Road
6.1 mi
9m
US 60
3.6 mi
5m
US Route 60
2.6 mi
4m
Winchester Road
1.8 mi
2m
West Reynolds Road
0.8 mi
1m
Keithshire Way
0.7 mi
1m
Nicholasville Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meads, KY and Monticello, KY.
1
Start on this road
56 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Continue on Midland Trail Road
353 ft·16 sec·Midland Trail Road
3
Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive
110 ft·5 sec·Marsh Hill Drive
4
Turn right onto US 60
0.3 mi·29 sec·US Route 60
5
Continue on US 60
2.3 mi·3 min·US Route 60
6
Turn right onto US 60
3.6 mi·5 min·US 60
7
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto I 64
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 64
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 81Toward I 75 South: Richmond, Knoxville
10
Merge onto I 75
0.3 mi·18 sec·I 75
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 110Toward US 60: LexingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto US 60
1.8 mi·2 min·Winchester Road
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward KY 4 South: New Circle RoadUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto KY 4
6.1 mi·9 min·East New Circle Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 19Toward US 27: Nicholasville, LexingtonUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto US 27
0.5 mi·48 sec·Nicholasville Road
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto West Reynolds Road
0.8 mi·1 min·West Reynolds Road
18
Enter roundabout onto Keithshire Way
307 ft·6 sec·Keithshire Way
19
Continue on Keithshire Way
0.6 mi·1 min·Keithshire Way
20
Turn left onto Holwyn Road
0.2 mi·44 sec·Holwyn Road
21
Turn left onto Halifax Drive
507 ft·17 sec·Halifax Drive
22
Arrive at destination
Halifax Drive
Trip Plan
Since this drive is under 2.5 hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever works best for you, perhaps in the morning to maximize your day at Monticello. With no designated stops in the data, plan for a quick fuel and restroom break if needed, especially before you start the longest 99.3-mile stretch on I 64. The estimated fuel cost of $19 is quite reasonable, so you shouldn't have any budget surprises there. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of that long highway segment, as services might be more spaced out.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.2 miles from Meads, KY, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.2 miles or 1h 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 1h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monticello, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 118.5 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Meads, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 64 for about 99.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 106 and 116.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
106 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 South: Richmond, Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 81
Toward I 75 South: Richmond, Knoxville
8
107.5 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the exit toward US 60: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 110
Toward US 60: Lexington
6
109.6 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward KY 4 South: New Circle Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward KY 4 South: New Circle Road
8
115.9 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward US 27: Nicholasville, Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 19
Toward US 27: Nicholasville, Lexington
6
116.2 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|US 27 / Nicholasville Road
Turn left onto US 27 / Nicholasville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.53 one way
$37.05 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.34
$40.68
premium
$4.89
$22.80
$45.61
diesel
$5.61
$26.16
$52.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.6
0
$12.44
$5.69
Efficient EV
29.6
0
$10.37
$4.74
EV Truck/SUV
47.4
0
$16.59
$7.58
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 15, 2026
Origin
Meads, KY
Late night
in Meads on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
SW 8 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Monticello, KY
Late night
in Monticello on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°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
15 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
2h 18m 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.
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 118.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 118.5-mile trip. With 89% of the drive on major roads like I 64 and US 60, you'll encounter consistent speeds and efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 99.3 miles on I 64, offering a good opportunity to settle in and make progress. East New Circle Road will also play a part in connecting you to these main arteries. This route is designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss, rather than offering winding scenic detours.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.3 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and East New Circle Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 106 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 118.5 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: at 106 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Meads, KY to Monticello, KY, road signs begin pointing toward Knoxville along the way.
Knoxville
106 mi in|~1h 57m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 118.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m 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 99.3 miles on I 64. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Monticello, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 106 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Camp Nelson National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Monticello, KY before heading back.
