Drive Time
58m
Distance
38.8 mi
62 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Photo: RDNE Stock project
If you are planning a quick trek across Mississippi, the 38.8-mile drive from Philadelphia to Meridian is an ideal day trip. You can easily complete this route in about 58 minutes, making it perfect for a brief excursion between these two Southeast towns. With a fuel budget of just $6, it is a highly affordable way to navigate the region. Since the journey is short and straightforward, there is no need to worry about overnight logistics or complex planning. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this local drive offers a simple, efficient connection within the state.
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
19.4 miles from Philadelphia, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you off the interstate entirely, as this route features zero highway miles. You will spend the vast majority of your time on Holland Avenue, which serves as the longest uninterrupted stretch at 36.6 miles. The remainder of the journey transitions through 8th Street and Main Street to bring you into your destination. Because this path relies on local roads rather than fast-paced highways, you should prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace. It is a practical drive that focuses on navigation through town streets rather than high-speed cruising.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 16; MS 19; MS 21 / Main Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Philadelphia, MS to Meridian, MS is easy. At 58m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 16; MS 19; MS 21 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (MS 19 / Holland Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 38.8 miles (25th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto MS 16; MS 19; MS 21 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto MS 19 / Holland Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto 25th Avenue
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Holland Avenue | 36.6 mi | 54m |
| 8th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 25th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Front Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, MS and Meridian, MS.
Start on Front Street
Turn left onto MS 16; MS 19; MS 21
Turn right onto MS 19
Continue on 8th Street
Turn right onto 25th Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the short 58-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though traveling during off-peak hours will make the local streets easier to navigate. Since there are no scheduled stops required for a trip of this length, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to refuel or rest. Keep in mind that because the entire route relies on local infrastructure, you should stay alert for shifting speed limits as you move through different zones. Use the simplicity of the 38.8-mile distance to your advantage by planning your arrival to align perfectly with your schedule in Meridian.
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 38.8 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.4 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meridian, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, MS
This is one driving day of about 38.8 miles and 58m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.4 mi from Philadelphia, MS · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 38.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 19.4 miles from Philadelphia, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$5.93 one way
$11.86 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $6.51 | $13.01 |
| premium | $4.61 | $7.04 | $14.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.62 | $17.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.6 | 0 | $4.07 | $1.86 |
| Efficient EV | 9.7 | 0 | $3.39 | $1.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.43 | $2.48 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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 Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Meridian on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
86°F
Butler, AL
19 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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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.
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