Meads, KY to Scottsville, KY is 267.7 miles and takes about 5h 4m via I 64 and Cumberland Parkway, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Kentucky, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's primarily a highway drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, with minimal detours needed to reach your destination.
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
133.9 miles from Meads, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 64
84.6 mi
1h 30m
Cumberland Parkway
74.5 mi
1h 19m
I 75
32.1 mi
34m
Cumberland Lake Parkway
18 mi
21m
Scottsville Road
12.6 mi
14m
Boonesboro Road
12.4 mi
15m
Hal Rogers Parkway
10.9 mi
14m
New Glasgow Road
8.5 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 64
— 84.6 mi, about 1h 30m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Meads, KY and Scottsville, 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
85 mi·1 hr 30 min·I 64
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward KY 627: Paris , Winchester
10
Turn left onto KY 627
0.5 mi·50 sec·Paris Road
11
Continue on KY 627
1.3 mi·2 min·North Maple Street
12
Turn right onto KY 627
1.3 mi·1 min·Boone Avenue
13
Continue on KY 627
12 mi·15 min·Boonesboro Road
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 75 South
15
Merge onto I 75
32 mi·34 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 62Toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
17
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·5 sec
Exit 62Toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
18
Merge onto US 25
0.6 mi·49 sec·Richmond Street
19
Turn straight onto KY 461
18 mi·21 min·Cumberland Lake Parkway
Use the straight lane.
20
Merge onto KY 80
11 mi·14 min·Hal Rogers Parkway
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto KY 914
0.4 mi·34 sec·KY 914
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Bowling Green
23
Merge onto Cumberland Parkway
74 mi·1 hr 19 min·Cumberland Parkway
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 11Toward US 31E: Glasgow, Scottsville
25
Turn straight onto US 31E
13 mi·14 min·Scottsville Road
26
Continue on US 31E
8.5 mi·9 min·New Glasgow Road
27
Turn left onto KY 101
1.3 mi·2 min·Smiths Grove Road
28
Arrive at destination
KY 101
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving Meads in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace the drive. The fuel cost is estimated at $47, so factor that into your budget. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 84.6-mile stretch on I 64, as services might be less frequent in some sections. The drive is manageable in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider an early afternoon departure.
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 133.9 miles from Meads, KY, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.6 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 59 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.9 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scottsville, 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 267.7 miles and 5h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Meads, 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 84.6 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 91.4 and 245 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
91.4 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward KY 627: Paris , Winchester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward KY 627: Paris , Winchester
5
107.1 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 75 South
6
139.6 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
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
Exit 62
Toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
7
139.9 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 62
Toward US 25: Renfro Valley, Mount Vernon
6
245 mi into trip|~4h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 31E: Glasgow, Scottsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 11
Toward US 31E: Glasgow, Scottsville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.51 one way
$89.02 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$48.48
$96.96
premium
$5.18
$54.63
$109.25
diesel
$5.35
$56.39
$112.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.3
0
$28.11
$12.85
Efficient EV
66.9
0
$23.42
$10.71
EV Truck/SUV
107.1
1
$37.48
$17.13
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Meads, KY
Afternoon
in Meads on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Clear
NE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Scottsville, KY
Afternoon
in Scottsville on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Clear
E 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
85°F
Berea, KY
134 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 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
5h 4m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 175.4
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 110.8
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
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 249.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about 85% highway, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on major interstates and parkways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 84.6 miles on I 64, which should provide a good opportunity for steady cruising. The transition to surface roads will likely occur as you approach your destination in Scottsville. Be prepared for frequent exits and entrances along the highway segments.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.6 mi on I 64.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 64 and Cumberland Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 91.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 267.7 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 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 139.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,087 ft620 ft
Total Climb
1,027 ft
Total Descent
899 ft
Highest Point
1,087 ft
~38.2 mi in
Elevation Range
467 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Meads, KY and Scottsville, KY, road signs point toward Winchester, Mount Vernon and Bowling Green.
Scottsville, the county seat of Allen County, features hunting, fishing, antique shopping and a gracious countryside in Kentucky's Caves and Lakes region.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 4m. Total distance: 267.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.6 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 Scottsville, 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 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 139.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, Camp Nelson National Monument and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Scottsville, KY before the return drive.
