This 239.4-mile drive from Meridian, MS, to Southaven, MS, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking about 4 hours and 41 minutes. Primarily utilizing I 22 and US 45, this route offers a highway-focused experience through the Southeast region. With a projected fuel cost of around $36, it's an economical option for a quick trip. You'll encounter one designated stop, and the majority of your travel will be on well-maintained highways. This trip is ideal for those looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
119.7 miles from Meridian, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 239.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive on this route, with 86% of the journey taking place on interstates and major highways like I 22 and US 45. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 83.7 miles on I 22, offering a good opportunity to settle in and make steady progress. While the profile is generally highway-oriented, keep an eye out for transitions as you move between major roadways. The character is largely about consistent travel on established routes, making for a predictable driving experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 22 is the longest continuous segment at about 83.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 22 and US 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 8th Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 239.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|8th Street
Turn right onto 8th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|23rd Avenue
Turn right onto 23rd Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|Front Street
At end of road, turn left onto Front Street
Navigation decision point
8
68 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate
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
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupel...
6
142.4 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Meridian, MS to Southaven, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Tupelo along the way.
Tupelo
68 mi in|~1h 20m|via US 45 ALT
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 22
83.7 mi
1h 29m
US 45
62.9 mi
1h 12m
US Highway 45 Alternate
53 mi
1h 3m
Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi
20m
Goodman Road
8.3 mi
12m
Old Highway 45 North
4.4 mi
6m
Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
3.3 mi
4m
I 55
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 22
— 83.7 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meridian, MS and Southaven, MS.
1
Start on 25th Avenue
272 ft·14 sec·25th Avenue
2
Turn right onto 8th Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·8th Street
3
Turn right onto 23rd Avenue
0.2 mi·27 sec·23rd Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto Front Street
394 ft·8 sec·Front Street
5
Continue on 2nd Street
0.5 mi·45 sec·2nd Street
6
Continue on 4th Street
0.1 mi·9 sec·4th Street
7
Continue on Front Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Front Street
8
Continue on MS 39; MS 884
0.6 mi·52 sec·Dale Drive
9
Continue on Old Highway 45 North
4.4 mi·6 min·Old Highway 45 North
10
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 45
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, TupeloUse the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi·20 min·Martin Luther King Drive
13
Continue on US 45; MS 6
3.3 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
1.6 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 78:west: Memphis
16
Merge onto I 22; US 78
84 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 22; US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward MS 302: Olive Branch Southaven
18
Keep slight left at fork
195 ft·10 sec
19
Turn left onto MS 302
8.3 mi·12 min·Goodman Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward Memphis
21
Merge onto I 55; I 69
1.4 mi·1 min·I 55; I 69
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake
23
Turn left onto Stateline Road West
0.4 mi·53 sec·Stateline Road West
24
Turn left onto Millbranch Road
0.2 mi·36 sec·Millbranch Road
25
Turn right onto Haleville Drive
0.2 mi·53 sec·Haleville Drive
26
Turn left onto Five Oaks Drive North
0.1 mi·28 sec·Five Oaks Drive North
27
Arrive at destination
Five Oaks Drive West
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 4-hour and 41-minute duration, this trip is best tackled as a single-day adventure. Aim for an early morning departure from Meridian to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and an 86% highway share, you can maintain good momentum. A practical tip for this route is to be mindful of the 83.7-mile stretch on I 22; ensure you have adequate fuel before entering this longer segment. This approach will allow you to reach Southaven efficiently and comfortably within the same day.
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 119.7 miles from Meridian, MS, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.7 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 53 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.7 miles or 2h 23m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southaven, 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 239.4 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 22 for about 83.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119.7 mi from Meridian, MS
· 2h 23m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Tupelo National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 140.4
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 148.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.16 one way
$72.31 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$39.69
$79.38
premium
$4.56
$42.97
$85.94
diesel
$5.61
$52.86
$105.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.8
0
$25.14
$11.49
Efficient EV
59.9
0
$20.95
$9.58
EV Truck/SUV
95.8
1
$33.52
$15.32
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Meridian, MS
Afternoon
in Meridian on Friday
Local time
1:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Southaven, MS
Afternoon
in Southaven on Friday
Local time
1:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
23 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 41m 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 Southaven, MS covers 239.4 miles and takes about 4h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 22, US 45, US Highway 45 Alternate. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.7 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 $36.16 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 is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 239.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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.
On the drive from Meridian, MS to Southaven, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Tupelo along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Tupelo National Battlefield and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail.
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.
