The maintenance of Medium Voltage Overhead Distribution Lines (SUTM) requires effective inspection methods to ensure the reliability of electricity supply. Conventional inspection methods have limitations in comprehensively detecting faults and are less efficient in terms of time, cost, and safety. The use of drones as an alternative technology offers a faster and more accurate solution capable of reaching difficult areas, thereby improving the effectiveness of distribution network maintenance. This study compares the effectiveness, time efficiency, and cost efficiency between conventional and drone-based inspection methods. The results show that the average inspection time was reduced from 66.41 minutes to 22.01 minutes, resulting in a time efficiency improvement of 66.86%. Operational costs decreased from IDR 169,031 to IDR 101,079, leading to a cost saving of 40.20%. Furthermore, the number of detected faults significantly increased, with drone-based inspections proving to be 84% more effective in fault detection compared to the conventional method. Therefore, the implementation of drones in distribution network inspection represents a strategic step toward a more reliable and modern maintenance system.