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Trip from Forest, MS to Meridian, MS

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

48m

Distance

47.1 mi

76 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 12 min
4 AM
0h 45m ★
6 AM
0h 49m
8 AM
0h 57m
10 AM
0h 51m
12 PM
0h 51m
3 PM
0h 52m
5 PM
0h 56m
8 PM
0h 46m

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

city in Mississippi, United States

Forest, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Meridian, MS, MS

Meridian, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Forest, MS to Meridian, MS covers 47.1 miles and takes about 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on West 3rd Street, Highway 35 South, US 11 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.11 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.

Midpoint

23.6 miles from Forest, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 48m drive with frequent turns across 47.1 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West 3rd Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Forest, MS to Meridian, MS is easy. At 48m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Forest, MS to Meridian, MS is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
West 3rd Street
Highway 35 South
US 11
8th Street
25th Avenue

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: West 3rd Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Forest, MS and Meridian, MS.

1

Start on North Banks Street

187 ft · 9 sec · North Banks Street
2

Turn right onto West 3rd Street

0.3 mi · 36 sec · West 3rd Street
3

Turn left onto Highway 35 South

2.0 mi · 3 min · Highway 35 South
4

Take the ramp left

0.3 mi · 42 sec
5

Merge slight left

44 mi · 47 min
6

Take the exit slight right toward South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Philadelphia, Meridian Airport

0.4 mi · 44 sec · South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Philadelphia, Meridian Airport
7

Turn left

1.2 mi · 1 min
8

Turn right onto 8th Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
9

Turn right onto 25th Avenue

272 ft · 12 sec · 25th Avenue
10

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

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 23.6 miles from Forest, MS, or about 24m into the drive.

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 10 miles or 10m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 23.6 miles or 24m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meridian, MS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Have your navigation ready before leaving Forest, MS.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Forest, MS

This is one driving day of about 47.1 miles and 48m.

At 47.1 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 23.6 mi from Forest, MS · 24m into the drive

city in Newton County, Mississippi, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Newton, MS

24 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

Newton, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Newton, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 23.6 miles from Forest, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Meridian, MS

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Meridian, MS if you are unfamiliar with the area.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$7.11 one way

$14.23 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 17 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $7.81 $15.62
premium $4.56 $8.45 $16.91
diesel $5.61 $10.40 $20.80

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$32–$57

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 16.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 14.1 0 $4.95 $2.26
Efficient EV 11.8 0 $4.12 $1.88
EV Truck/SUV 18.8 0 $6.59 $3.01

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

6 kg (63% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Forest, MS

Night in Forest on Wednesday

Local time

11:59 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Meridian, MS

Night in Meridian on Wednesday

Local time

11:59 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

79°F

Newton, MS

24 mi in

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

26 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

48m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Forest, MS to Meridian, MS covers 47.1 miles and takes about 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West 3rd Street, Highway 35 South, US 11. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.6 miles from Forest, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.11 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Forest, MS to Meridian, MS is easy. At 48m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Forest, MS to Meridian, MS is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Forest, MS to Meridian, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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