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Trip from Pikeville, KY to Meads, KY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 55m

Distance

97.4 mi

157 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 47m ★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 12m
10 AM
2h 1m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 11m
8 PM
1h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city and county seat of Pike County, Kentucky, United States

Pikeville, KY

Wikimedia Commons

suburb in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, UK

Meads, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 97.4-mile drive from Pikeville, KY to Meads, KY is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 55 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, it's an economical choice for a day trip. The route sticks primarily to US 23 and I 64, making it a largely uninterrupted highway experience. Given its manageable length and duration, this trip is ideal for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within Kentucky's Southeast region, keeping the scenic and cultural context consistent throughout your travels.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

48.7 miles from Pikeville, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 23 86.6 mi 1h 39m
I 64 4.4 mi 4m
US Route 60 2 mi 3m
KY 180 1.6 mi 2m
Hambley Boulevard 1.1 mi 1m
North Mayo Trail 0.4 mi <1m
Loraine Street 0.2 mi <1m
Midland Trail Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 23 — 86.6 mi, about 1h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pikeville, KY and Meads, KY.

1

Start on 2nd Street

114 ft · 7 sec · 2nd Street
2

Turn right onto Caroline Avenue

260 ft · 12 sec · Caroline Avenue
3

At end of road, turn right onto Hambley Boulevard

1.1 mi · 1 min · Hambley Boulevard
4

Turn right onto KY 1384

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Loraine Street
5

At end of road, turn left onto KY 1460

0.4 mi · 35 sec · North Mayo Trail
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec
7

Continue on US 23; US 119; US 460; KY 80

12 mi · 14 min · US 23; US 119; US 460; KY 80
8

Continue on US 23; US 460; KY 80

75 mi · 1 hr 25 min · US 23; US 460; KY 80
9

Turn left

0.3 mi · 39 sec
10

Merge onto I 64

4.4 mi · 4 min · I 64
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 55 sec
Exit 185 Toward KY 180, US 60: Cannonsburg, Ashland
12

Turn right onto KY 180

1.6 mi · 2 min · KY 180
13

Continue on US 60

2.0 mi · 3 min · US Route 60
14

Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive

110 ft · 8 sec · Marsh Hill Drive
15

Turn left onto Midland Trail Road

410 ft · 19 sec · Midland Trail Road
16

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this relatively short 1 hour and 55-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Since there are no designated stops in the data, consider planning your own brief breaks, perhaps around the halfway mark or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 86.6-mile stretch on US 23, as services might be more spaced out. Given the $15 fuel cost, it’s a budget-friendly trip, but it's always wise to start with a full tank to ensure peace of mind on your journey through Kentucky.

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 48.7 miles from Pikeville, KY, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.6 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 21 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 48.7 miles or 57m 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 33m

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 Pikeville, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Pikeville, KY

This is one driving day of about 97.4 miles and 1h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Pikeville, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 23 for about 86.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Kentucky, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Paintsville, KY

49 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Bull Creek, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Paintsville, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.7 miles from Pikeville, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 23 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

BANK 253 Restaurant and Nightlife

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pikeville, Kentucky

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16064326566

Visit website

Mi Hacienda - Pikeville, KY

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pikeville, Kentucky

0.5 mi

Tudor's Biscuit World

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pikeville, Kentucky

1 mi

BANK 253 Restaurant and Nightlife

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $20 to $30

Pikeville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16064326566

Visit website

Mi Hacienda - Pikeville, KY

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Pikeville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16066372200

Tudor's Biscuit World

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv

Pikeville, Kentucky

Hours: 5:30 am–2 pm

+16066530207

Visit website

Mona's Creative Catering and Fine Foods Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Pikeville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+16064376662

Visit website

Made to Crave

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Pikeville, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+16066371280

Visit website

Billy Ray's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Prestonsburg, Kentucky

Hours: 7:30 am–8 pm

+16068861744

Visit website

Yamato Steak House of Japan

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Prestonsburg, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16065064488

Visit website

Royal Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Prestonsburg, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16062300523

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 93.2 — 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 | Caroline Avenue

Turn right onto Caroline Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Hambley Boulevard

At end of road, turn right onto Hambley Boulevard

Navigation decision point

4
1.4 mi into trip | ~2m in | KY 1460 / North Mayo Trail

At end of road, turn left onto KY 1460 / North Mayo Trail

Navigation decision point

4
88.5 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

6
93.2 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in

Take the exit toward KY 180, US 60: Cannonsburg, Ashland

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 185 Toward KY 180, US 60: Cannonsburg, Ashland

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.23 one way

$30.45 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $16.72 $33.44
premium $4.89 $18.74 $37.49
diesel $5.61 $21.50 $43.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.2 0 $10.23 $4.68
Efficient EV 24.4 0 $8.52 $3.90
EV Truck/SUV 39 0 $13.64 $6.23

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Pikeville, KY

Morning in Pikeville on Tuesday

Local time

6:38 AM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Meads, KY

Morning in Meads on Tuesday

Local time

6:38 AM

EDT

Current temp

75°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

1h 55m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-intensive experience, with 97% of the drive taking place on major roadways like US 23 and I 64. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 86.6 miles, primarily on US 23. This means you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roads, offering a consistent driving pace. While the landscape is not specifically detailed, the highway-focused profile suggests a journey prioritizing efficiency over winding, scenic byways. The route progresses with a predictable rhythm, characteristic of long-distance highway travel.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.6 mi on US 23.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 and I 64. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Caroline Avenue.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 55m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Caroline Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Hambley Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (KY 1460 / North Mayo Trail): Navigation decision point.

About the Cities

Starting in Pikeville, KY

Full guide →

Pikeville is the county seat of Pike County in the Kentucky Appalachians.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 97.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 86.6 miles on US 23. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Caroline Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Hambley Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (KY 1460 / North Mayo Trail): Navigation decision point.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Meads, KY before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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