Trip from Union, 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

3h 12m

Distance

142.8 mi

230 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 1m ★

6 AM

3h 13m

8 AM

3h 37m

10 AM

3h 21m

12 PM

3h 19m

3 PM

3h 22m

5 PM

3h 35m

8 PM

3h 6m

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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Union, KY

Atlantic Ambience

suburb in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, UK

Meads, KY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 142.8-mile journey from Union, KY to Meads, KY is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 3 hours and 12 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of roads, including the AA Highway, I 64, and Ronald Reagan Highway, with about 16% of the drive on higher-speed roads. The estimated fuel cost for this route is $22, and with one recommended stop, it's a straightforward drive. The entire trip stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travels. This route is well-suited for a single day, allowing for a relaxed pace.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

71.4 miles from Union, KY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
AA Highway	109 mi	2h 26m
I 64	9.2 mi	9m
Ronald Reagan Highway	5.9 mi	6m
I 71	4.1 mi	4m
US 42	4 mi	6m
US 60	4 mi	6m
US Route 60	2 mi	3m
Licking Pike	1.4 mi	2m

Longest stretch: AA Highway — 109 mi, about 2h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Union School Road

148 ft · 12 sec · Union School Road

Turn left onto Old Union Road

361 ft · 9 sec · Old Union Road

Enter roundabout onto KY 536

195 ft · 4 sec · Mount Zion Road

Continue on KY 536

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Mount Zion Road

Turn left onto US 42; US 127

4.0 mi · 6 min · US 42; US 127

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward I 71 North, I 75 North: Cincinnati Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 71; I 75

4.1 mi · 4 min · I 71; I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Exit 185 Toward I 275 Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 275 East

Merge onto I 275

5.9 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Exit 77 Toward KY 9, AA: Wilder, Maysville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Toward KY 9, AA: Alexandria, Maysville Use the right lane.

Merge onto KY 9; AA

1.4 mi · 2 min · Licking Pike

Toward Alexandria, Maysville

Continue on KY 9; AA

83 mi · 1 hr 51 min · AA Highway

Continue on KY 9; KY 1149; AA

26 mi · 34 min · AA Highway

Take the exit

248 ft · 6 sec

Use the right lane.

Merge onto KY 1; KY 7

0.5 mi · 46 sec · Carol Malone Boulevard

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Merge onto I 64

9.2 mi · 9 min · I 64

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Exit 181 Toward US 60

Turn left onto US 60

4.0 mi · 6 min · US 60

Turn left onto US 60

2.0 mi · 3 min · US Route 60

Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive

110 ft · 8 sec · Marsh Hill Drive

Turn left onto Midland Trail Road

410 ft · 19 sec · Midland Trail Road

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 12-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours. With a fuel cost around $22, filling up before you leave Union, KY, is a good idea. The route includes one recommended stop, so plan your break about halfway through the 142.8 miles. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, pay close attention to your navigation, especially during the longest stretch on the AA Highway, to ensure you don't miss any crucial turns.

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 71.4 miles from Union, KY, or about 1h 37m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109 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 31 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 71.4 miles or 1h 37m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 38m

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 Union, 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 Union, KY

This is one driving day of about 142.8 miles and 3h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Union, 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 AA Highway for about 109 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Unity, OH

71 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

Claryville, KY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Maysville, KY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71.4 miles from Union, KY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before AA Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109 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 · first break window

Asian Place Chinese Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Mitchell, Kentucky

Near the start, short detour

First break · 14min in 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+18595788707

Visit website

Kehoe's Dixie Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tollesboro, Kentucky

1.3 mi

Fort Wright Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Wright, Kentucky

3 mi

Asian Place Chinese Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Mitchell, Kentucky

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+18595788707

Visit website

Kehoe's Dixie Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Tollesboro, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+16067984500

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Augusta, Kentucky

+16067563219

Visit website

Velocity Bike & Bean

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Florence, Kentucky

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18593718356

Visit website

Reality Tuesday Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Park Hills, Kentucky

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+18592614939

Visit website

Ludlow Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Ludlow, Kentucky

Hours: 6 am–12 pm

+18593412928

Visit website

Kentucky Gateway Museum Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Maysville, Kentucky

Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm

+16065645865

Visit website

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 0.1 and 15.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | KY 536 / Mount Zion Road

Enter roundabout onto KY 536 / Mount Zion Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

4.3 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the ramp toward I 71 North, I 75 North: Cincinnati

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 71 North, I 75 North: Cincinnati

8.7 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward I 275

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 185 Toward I 275

15.5 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward KY 9, AA: Wilder, Maysville

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 77 Toward KY 9, AA: Wilder, Maysville

15.8 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight right at fork toward KY 9, AA: Alexandria, Maysville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward KY 9, AA: Alexandria, Maysville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.33 one way

$44.65 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$24.51	$49.02
premium	$4.89	$27.48	$54.96
diesel	$5.61	$31.53	$63.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	42.8	$14.99	$6.85
Efficient EV	35.7	$12.50	$5.71
EV Truck/SUV	57.1	$19.99	$9.14

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 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 20, 2026

Origin

Union, KY

Morning in Union on Tuesday

Local time

7:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Meads, KY

Morning in Meads on Tuesday

Local time

7:30 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

22 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

3h 12m 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 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this 142.8-mile route. While 16% of the journey involves highway driving, the majority will be on more winding local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 109 miles on the AA Highway, so be prepared for varying speeds and conditions. This road personality suggests a drive where you'll be actively engaged, with frequent adjustments rather than long periods of cruising on an interstate.

Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 109 mi on AA Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near KY 536 / Mount Zion Road.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 18 significant decision points across 142.8 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 0.1 miles (KY 536 / Mount Zion Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 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.

Between Union, KY and Meads, KY, road signs point toward Aa: Wilder, Maysville, Aa: Alexandria and Alexandria.

Aa: Wilder

15.5 mi in | ~21m

Maysville

15.5 mi in | ~21m

Aa: Alexandria

15.8 mi in | ~22m

Alexandria

15.9 mi in | ~22m | via KY 9; AA

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 142.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 109 miles on AA Highway. 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Meads, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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Trip from Union, KY to Meads, KY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Asian Place Chinese Restaurant

Asian Place Chinese Restaurant

Kehoe's Dixie Cafe

Fort Wright Family Restaurant

O'Charley's Restaurant & Bar

Matsuya Japanese Restaurant

Twin Peaks

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

Youngblood's Corner Cafe

Velocity Bike & Bean

Reality Tuesday Cafe

Ludlow Coffee

Kentucky Gateway Museum Center

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Union, KY

Meads, KY

Same local time

22 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 12m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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