Drive Time
1h 39m
Distance
85.5 mi
138 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Photo: RDNE Stock project
The drive from Petal, MS to Meridian, MS covers 85.5 miles and takes about 1h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, Highway 11, I 59 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 67.2 miles on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.07 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
42.8 miles from Petal, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 39m drive with frequent turns across 85.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Central Avenue.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.5 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (East Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.2 miles (I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward North I 59, Laurel
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Philadelphia, Meridian Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Petal, MS and Meridian, MS, road signs point toward Laurel and Tuscaloosa.
Laurel
Tuscaloosa
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway | 67.2 mi | 1h 12m |
| Highway 11 | 11.9 mi | 16m |
| I 59 | 2 mi | 2m |
| 8th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| US 11 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| East Central Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Moselle-Seminary Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 25th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Petal, MS and Meridian, MS.
Start on Morris Street
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
Turn right onto US 11
Turn slight left onto Moselle-Seminary Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 59
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 11
Turn right onto 8th Street
Turn right onto 25th Avenue
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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.8 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meridian, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Petal, 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 Petal, MS
This is one driving day of about 85.5 miles and 1h 39m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.8 mi from Petal, MS · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 42.8 miles from Petal, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.2 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Meridian, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$13.07 one way
$26.14 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $14.34 | $28.67 |
| premium | $4.61 | $15.52 | $31.04 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.00 | $37.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.7 | 0 | $8.98 | $4.10 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.48 | $3.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.97 | $5.47 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Petal on Sunday
Local time
3:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Meridian on Sunday
Local time
3:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
43 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Petal, MS or browse trips ending in Meridian, MS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.
Explore maps for Petal, MS or Meridian, MS on MapSof.net.
