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Trip from Macon, MS to Meridian, MS

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

1h 11m

Distance

59.5 mi

96 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min
4 AM
1h 6m ★
6 AM
1h 11m
8 AM
1h 23m
10 AM
1h 15m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 8m

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

Downtown Macon, MS, MS

Macon, MS

大 董

Downtown Meridian, MS, MS

Meridian, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Connecting Macon to Meridian is a straightforward 59.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 11 minutes to complete. This drive serves as an efficient link within the Southeast region, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $9 on fuel for the trip, keeping your travel costs very manageable. Since the route relies heavily on US Highway 45, you will find it to be a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Mississippi towns. Whether you are commuting or just passing through, the simplicity of this short drive offers a stress-free experience.

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

29.8 miles from Macon, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a focused highway experience, as 95% of your travel takes place on major thoroughfares. The majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent on a 51.7-mile uninterrupted stretch along US Highway 45, which dictates the pace of the entire trip. As you transition from the highway toward your destination, you will navigate local connections including Old Highway 45 North and East Adams Street. This highway-focused drive provides a consistent rhythm, allowing you to maintain a steady speed for nearly the entire duration. You won't encounter technical mountain passes or complex intersections, making it a predictable and reliable drive.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 45 is the longest continuous segment at about 51.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 45 and Old Highway 45 North. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near US 45 / US Highway 45.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 1h 11m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 45 / US Highway 45): Navigation decision point; at 52.5 miles (Old Highway 45 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 59.1 miles (22nd Avenue): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 5 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

3
0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 45 / US Highway 45

Turn right onto US 45 / US Highway 45

Navigation decision point

4
52.5 mi into trip | ~1h in | Old Highway 45 North

Keep slight left at fork onto Old Highway 45 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
59.1 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in | 22nd Avenue

Turn right onto 22nd Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
59.3 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in | 8th Street

Turn left onto 8th Street

Navigation decision point

5
59.5 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in | 25th Avenue

Turn left onto 25th Avenue

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US Highway 45 51.7 mi 58m
Old Highway 45 North 4.8 mi 7m
East Adams Street 0.8 mi 1m
Front Street 0.7 mi 1m
Dale Drive 0.6 mi <1m
2nd Street 0.5 mi <1m
8th Street 0.2 mi <1m
22nd Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US Highway 45 — 51.7 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on MS 14

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Adams Street
2

Turn right onto US 45

52 mi · 58 min · US Highway 45
3

Keep slight left at fork onto Old Highway 45 North

4.8 mi · 7 min · Old Highway 45 North
4

Continue on MS 884

0.6 mi · 54 sec · Dale Drive
5

Continue on Front Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Front Street
6

Continue on 4th Street

0.1 mi · 9 sec · 4th Street
7

Turn slight left onto 2nd Street

0.5 mi · 49 sec · 2nd Street
8

Turn right onto 22nd Avenue

0.2 mi · 29 sec · 22nd Avenue
9

Turn left onto 8th Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · 8th Street
10

Turn left onto 25th Avenue

272 ft · 11 sec · 25th Avenue
11

Arrive at destination

25th Avenue

Trip Plan

Because this is a short trip of just over an hour, you have significant flexibility with your departure time throughout the day. With zero planned stops required, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to build in extensive rest breaks. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is estimated at $9, so topping off your tank in Macon will ensure you reach Meridian without any stress. Since the route is dominated by the long stretch on US Highway 45, stay alert and maintain focus during that primary leg. Use the simplicity of this route to your advantage by planning your arrival in Meridian exactly when you need to be there.

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 29.8 miles from Macon, MS, or about 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.7 miles.

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 13 miles or 15m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 29.8 miles or 34m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 58m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Macon, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Macon, MS

This is one driving day of about 59.5 miles and 1h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Macon, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 45 for about 51.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 29.8 mi from Macon, MS · 34m into the drive

city in Alabama, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

York, AL

30 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

First break window

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

York, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 29.8 miles from Macon, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Meridian, MS

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.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.99 one way

$17.97 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 21 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $9.86 $19.73
premium $4.56 $10.68 $21.36
diesel $5.61 $13.14 $26.27

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$9

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$34–$59

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 20.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 17.8 0 $6.25 $2.86
Efficient EV 14.9 0 $5.21 $2.38
EV Truck/SUV 23.8 0 $8.33 $3.81

Gas CO2

21 kg

EV CO2

7 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Macon, MS

Afternoon in Macon on Wednesday

Local time

3:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Meridian, MS

Afternoon in Meridian on Wednesday

Local time

3:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

York, AL

30 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

27 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

1h 11m 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 Macon, MS to Meridian, MS covers 59.5 miles and takes about 1h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 45, Old Highway 45 North, East Adams Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.8 miles from Macon, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.99 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.
This is a straightforward 1h 11m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 45 / US Highway 45): Navigation decision point; at 52.5 miles (Old Highway 45 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 59.1 miles (22nd Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Macon, MS to Meridian, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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