Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 12m
Distance
49.2 mi
79 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Meridian, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Bay Springs, MS
Mark Stebnicki
The drive from Meridian, MS to Bay Springs, MS covers 49.2 miles and takes about 1h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 18, I 59, MS 513 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 20.9 miles on Highway 18. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.43 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
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
24.6 miles from Meridian, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
This is a 1h 12m highway drive covering 49.2 miles, with most of the trip on Highway 18 and I 59. The longest continuous stretch is about 20.9 miles on Highway 18.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 18 and I 59. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 8th Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 (8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (MS 19 / Airport Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto 8th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto MS 19 / Airport Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward MS 513: South Enterprise, Rose Hill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Meridian, MS and Bay Springs, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Rose Hill.
New Orleans
Rose Hill
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 18 | 20.9 mi | 36m |
| I 59 | 14.4 mi | 15m |
| MS 513 | 8.9 mi | 12m |
| I 20 | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| 8th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Airport Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Frontage Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 5th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Meridian, MS and Bay Springs, MS.
Start on 25th Avenue
Turn left onto 8th Street
Turn left onto MS 19
Turn right onto North Frontage Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20; I 59; US 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
Take the exit
Turn right onto MS 513
Turn straight onto MS 18
Continue on MS 18
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
Arrive at destination
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 11 miles or 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.6 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bay Springs, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Meridian, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Meridian, MS
This is one driving day of about 49.2 miles and 1h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.6 mi from Meridian, MS · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 24.6 miles from Meridian, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Bay Springs, 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.
Regular Gas
$7.43 one way
$14.86 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $8.16 | $16.31 |
| premium | $4.56 | $8.83 | $17.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.86 | $21.73 |
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: 17.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.17 | $2.36 |
| Efficient EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.31 | $1.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.89 | $3.15 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Meridian on Wednesday
Local time
4:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Afternoon in Bay Springs on Wednesday
Local time
4:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
87°F
Stonewall, MS
25 mi in
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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