The drive from Meridian, MS to Cleveland, MS covers 212.3 miles and takes about 4h 19m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 20, US 49W, Medgar Evers Boulevard for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 91.2 miles on I 20.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.06 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
106.2 miles from Meridian, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 212.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 19m highway drive covering 212.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 20 and US 49W. The longest continuous stretch is about 91.2 miles on I 20.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 91.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 49W. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 212.3 miles you will encounter 17 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 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 20; US 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.5 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.7 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
4.6 mi into trip|~6m in|I 20; US 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 80 toward I 20 West: Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Jackson
6
91.5 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|I 20; US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49 toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo...
5
94.2 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|US 49
Take the exit onto US 49 toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson, Yazoo City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson,...
5
139.2 mi into trip|~2h 39m in|US 49W
Take the exit onto US 49W toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vicksburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vic...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Meridian, MS and Cleveland, MS, road signs point toward Yazoo City and Vicksburg.
Yazoo City
91.5 mi in|~1h 40m|via I 20; US 49
Vicksburg
139.2 mi in|~2h 39m|via US 49W
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
91.2 mi
1h 39m
US 49W
46.7 mi
56m
Medgar Evers Boulevard
39.5 mi
48m
North Sunflower Avenue
13.5 mi
23m
South Highway 61
10.2 mi
13m
US 49
5.5 mi
6m
8th Street
1.4 mi
2m
MS 448
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 91.2 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meridian, MS and Cleveland, MS.
1
Start on 25th Avenue
272 ft·17 sec·25th Avenue
2
Turn left onto 8th Street
1.4 mi·2 min·8th Street
3
Turn left onto MS 19
1.1 mi·1 min·Airport Boulevard
4
Turn right onto North Frontage Road
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 20; I 59; US 80
1.6 mi·1 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 80
85 mi·1 hr 31 min·I 20; US 80
Toward I 20 West: JacksonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.6 mi·2 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
2.7 mi·3 min·I 20; US 49
Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
10
Take the exit onto US 49
5.2 mi·6 min·US 49
Toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson, Yazoo City
11
Take the exit onto US 49
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 49
Toward US 49 North: Yazoo City
12
Merge onto US 49
39 mi·48 min·Medgar Evers Boulevard
13
Take the exit onto US 49W
47 mi·56 min·US 49W
Toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vicksburg
14
Turn left onto US 82
0.7 mi·1 min·US 82
15
Turn right onto MS 448
13 mi·23 min·North Sunflower Avenue
16
Turn left onto MS 448
1.1 mi·2 min·MS 448
17
Turn right onto US 61; US 278
10 mi·13 min·South Highway 61
18
Turn left onto Lee Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·Lee Street
19
Continue on College Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·College Street
20
Turn right onto South Bolivar Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·South Bolivar Avenue
21
Turn right onto South Court Street
77 ft·3 sec·South Court Street
22
Arrive at destination
South Court Street
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 106.2 miles from Meridian, MS, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.2 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 47 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.2 miles or 1h 58m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 212.3 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Meridian, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 91.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106.2 mi from Meridian, MS
· 1h 58m into the drive
The midpoint is around 106.2 miles from Meridian, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cleveland, MS
The final approach into Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
National Monument
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 212.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.06 one way
$64.12 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$35.20
$70.39
premium
$4.56
$38.11
$76.21
diesel
$5.61
$46.87
$93.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.7
0
$22.29
$10.19
Efficient EV
53.1
0
$18.58
$8.49
EV Truck/SUV
84.9
1
$29.72
$13.59
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Meridian, MS
Evening
in Meridian on Friday
Local time
6:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cleveland, MS
Evening
in Cleveland on Friday
Local time
6:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 19m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Meridian, MS to Cleveland, MS covers 212.3 miles and takes about 4h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, US 49W, Medgar Evers Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.2 miles from Meridian, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.06 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 212.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 20; US 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.5 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Meridian, MS and Cleveland, MS, road signs point toward Yazoo City and Vicksburg.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
