Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
92.5 mi
149 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
Photo: RDNE Stock project
Connecting Jackson to Meridian is a straightforward 92.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 43 minutes. Since this trip is entirely within the Southeast region of Mississippi, it is easily manageable as a quick day trip, meaning you likely won't need to book an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $14 on fuel for the one-way trek. Following I-20 for the majority of the distance keeps the transit time efficient for travelers looking to get from city to city without unnecessary detours. Whether you are heading east for business or a change of scenery, this route serves as a reliable link between the two municipalities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
46.3 miles from Jackson, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
This drive is a quintessential highway-focused experience, with 95% of your time spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your journey on I-20, which accounts for a significant 85.9-mile stretch of the trip. The character of the road is consistent and predictable, prioritizing speed and directness over winding backroads. As you transition from the interstate toward your final destination, you will eventually exit onto 8th Street and US 11 to reach the heart of Meridian. Expect a steady, uninterrupted pace that allows you to cover the distance quickly once you merge onto the main highway.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and 8th Street. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Lamar Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 92.5 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 0.1 miles (South Lamar Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East Pascagoula Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto South Lamar Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto East Pascagoula Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Flowood, Meridian
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
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 85.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| 8th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| US 11 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| I 55 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East Pascagoula Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Pearl Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Lamar Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 25th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, MS and Meridian, MS.
Start on East Pearl Street
Turn left onto South Lamar Street
Turn left onto East Pascagoula Street
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 55
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 20
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 11
Turn right onto 8th Street
Turn right onto 25th Avenue
Arrive at destination
Because this is a short, efficient drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 92.5-mile distance without needing to plan for formal stops, though keeping your fuel budget of $14 in mind will help you stay on track. Since the longest stretch is nearly 86 miles of highway, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained speeds before leaving Jackson. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid typical commuter traffic patterns near the city centers. A helpful tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points from I-20 onto 8th Street and US 11 ahead of time to ensure a smooth arrival in Meridian.
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.
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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.3 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meridian, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Jackson, 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 Jackson, MS
This is one driving day of about 92.5 miles and 1h 43m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.3 mi from Jackson, MS · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 46.3 miles from Jackson, 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 85.9 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
$14.14 one way
$28.28 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $15.51 | $31.02 |
| premium | $4.61 | $16.79 | $33.58 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.55 | $41.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.71 | $4.44 |
| Efficient EV | 23.1 | 0 | $8.09 | $3.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37 | 0 | $12.95 | $5.92 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
3:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Meridian on Sunday
Local time
3:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
46 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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