Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
4h 12m
Distance
217.3 mi
350 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
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
Byhalia, MS
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Meridian, MS to Byhalia, MS covers 217.3 miles and takes about 4h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 22, US 45, US Highway 45 Alternate for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.6 miles on I 22. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.82 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
108.7 miles from Meridian, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
This is a 4h 12m highway drive covering 217.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 22 and US 45. The longest continuous stretch is about 71.6 miles on I 22.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 22 and US 45. 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 217.3 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 0.2 miles (23rd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Front Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto 8th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto 23rd Avenue
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto Front Street
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Meridian, MS to Byhalia, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Tupelo along the way.
Tupelo
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 22 | 71.6 mi | 1h 16m |
| US 45 | 62.9 mi | 1h 12m |
| US Highway 45 Alternate | 53 mi | 1h 3m |
| Martin Luther King Drive | 18.1 mi | 20m |
| Old Highway 45 North | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Martin Luther King, Junior Drive | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| MS 309 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Front Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Meridian, MS and Byhalia, MS.
Start on 25th Avenue
Turn right onto 8th Street
Turn right onto 23rd Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Front Street
Continue on 2nd Street
Continue on 4th Street
Continue on Front Street
Continue on MS 39; MS 884
Continue on Old Highway 45 North
Continue on US 45
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45; MS 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Take the exit
Merge onto I 22; US 78
Take the exit
Turn right onto MS 309
Turn left onto MS 178
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 48 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.7 miles or 2h 9m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Byhalia, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Meridian, 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 Meridian, MS
This is one driving day of about 217.3 miles and 4h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108.7 mi from Meridian, MS · 2h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 108.7 miles from Meridian, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 22 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.6 miles.
The final approach into Byhalia, 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 Byhalia, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$32.82 one way
$65.63 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $36.03 | $72.05 |
| premium | $4.56 | $39.00 | $78.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.98 | $95.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.2 | 0 | $22.82 | $10.43 |
| Efficient EV | 54.3 | 0 | $19.01 | $8.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.9 | 1 | $30.42 | $13.91 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Evening in Meridian on Wednesday
Local time
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Evening in Byhalia on Wednesday
Local time
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
77°F
Aberdeen, MS
109 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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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