How far is Princeton, KY from Meads, KY?
The driving distance from Princeton, KY to Meads, KY is about 321.6 miles (517.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 296.5 miles (477.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 01m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Nelson County, Kentucky, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Princeton and Meads.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Princeton and Meads.
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1
Start on East Market Street
22 m · 1 sec · East Market Street
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2
Exit the roundabout onto West Market Street
30 m · 4 sec · West Market Street
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3
Turn right onto Alley 21
105 m · 18 sec · Alley 21
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4
Turn right onto West Locust Street
61 m · 14 sec · West Locust Street
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5
Turn left onto North Jefferson Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Jefferson Street
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6
Take the ramp slight right
2993 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
24.1 mi · 26 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
1783 ft · 22 sec · Western Kentucky Parkway
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9
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
98.9 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Western Kentucky Parkway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
1955 ft · 48 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
3052 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 1 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Lexington, Bardstown
3252 ft · 1 min
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14
Continue on Bluegrass Parkway
70.7 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Bluegrass Parkway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on US 60 West: Frankfort
571 ft · 16 sec
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16
Turn right onto Lexington Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
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17
Continue on Versailles Road
4.6 mi · 6 min · Versailles Road
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18
Take the exit straight toward KY 4 North: New Circle Road
2735 ft · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto New Circle Road
5.7 mi · 8 min · New Circle Road
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20
Turn left onto North Broadway
1 mi · 2 min · North Broadway
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21
Turn left onto I 75 South, I 64 East: Knoxville, Ashland
2515 ft · 1 min
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22
Merge slight left
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
23
Take the exit slight left toward I 64 East: Winchester, Ashland
16.6 mi · 19 min
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24
Keep slight left
83.6 mi · 1 hr 30 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward US 60
2188 ft · 54 sec
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26
Turn left
4 mi · 6 min
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27
Turn left onto US Route 60
2 mi · 3 min · US Route 60
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28
Turn right onto Marsh Hill Drive
34 m · 9 sec · Marsh Hill Drive
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29
Turn left onto Midland Trail Road
125 m · 20 sec · Midland Trail Road
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Princeton and Meads.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Western Kentucky Parkway
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
98.9 mi · 01h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny leaving Princeton and Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Meads.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Princeton to Meads?
The road trip is about 321.6 miles (517.6 km) and usually takes 05h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bloomfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 160.4 miles from Princeton and 161.2 miles from Meads.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 296.5 miles (477.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.37 one way or $94.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Princeton and Meads, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Princeton and Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Meads.
Stop Ideas Near Bloomfield
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bloomfield.
Louisville, Kentucky
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Princeton and Meads. Straight-line distance: 296.51 mi (477.19 km).
#1 Princeton
City in Caldwell County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 6,063 |
| Coordinates | 37.1092200, -87.8819600 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Meads
A census-designated place located in Meade County, Kentucky.
| Population | 288,649 |
| Coordinates | 38.4125800, -82.7090500 |
| Altitude | 185 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-82.708783, 38.41275)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 518 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.17 | $47.37 | $94.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.74 | $53.78 | $107.55 |
| Premium | $5.18 | $58.74 | $117.47 |
| Diesel | $6.38 | $72.45 | $144.89 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Kentucky · Sep 23, 2026