Drive Time
4h 1m
Distance
209.2 mi
337 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
Photo: RDNE Stock project
The drive from Carthage, MS to Meridian, MS covers 209.2 miles and takes about 4h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 20, I 55, US 84 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.9 miles on I 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.98 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
104.6 miles from Carthage, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
This is a 4h 1m highway drive covering 209.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 20 and I 55. The longest continuous stretch is about 86.9 miles on I 20.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 55. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near Carthage Point Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 209.2 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (Carthage Point Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 117.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 119.2 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49 toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Philadelphia, Meridian Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto 8th Street
Navigation decision point
On the drive from Carthage, MS to Meridian, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Hattiesburg along the way.
Hattiesburg
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 86.9 mi | 1h 33m |
| I 55 | 55.3 mi | 59m |
| US 84 | 53.2 mi | 1h 1m |
| Seargent Prentiss Drive | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| Carthage Point Road | 2.3 mi | 8m |
| 8th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| US 11 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Highland Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, MS and Meridian, MS.
Start on this road
Turn straight onto Carthage Point Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
Turn straight onto Lower Woodville Road
Turn right onto Highland Boulevard
Turn left onto US 61
Take the exit onto US 84
Take the exit
Merge onto I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 11
Turn right onto 8th Street
Turn right onto 25th Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.6 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meridian, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Carthage, MS 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 Carthage, MS
This is one driving day of about 209.2 miles and 4h 1m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 104.6 mi from Carthage, MS · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 104.6 miles from Carthage, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.9 miles.
The final approach into Meridian, MS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Meridian, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$31.98 one way
$63.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $35.08 | $70.16 |
| premium | $4.61 | $37.97 | $75.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $46.48 | $92.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.8 | 0 | $21.97 | $10.04 |
| Efficient EV | 52.3 | 0 | $18.30 | $8.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.7 | 1 | $29.29 | $13.39 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Carthage on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Meridian on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
105 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Carthage, MS or browse trips ending in Meridian, MS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.
Explore maps for Carthage, MS or Meridian, MS on MapSof.net.
