Connecting Carthage to Meridian via a 209.2-mile journey, this route takes you through the heart of Southeast Mississippi. You should expect roughly 4 hours and 1 minute of driving time, making it a manageable day trip that fits easily into a single day of travel. With a fuel budget of approximately $32, the trip remains an affordable way to navigate between these two points. Because you spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, the journey is straightforward and efficient. While you could easily complete this in one go, planning for at least one stop will help you stay refreshed for the duration of the drive.
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
104.6 miles from Carthage, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
86.9 mi
1h 33m
I 55
55.3 mi
59m
US 84
53.2 mi
1h 1m
Seargent Prentiss Drive
6.4 mi
7m
Carthage Point Road
2.3 mi
8m
8th Street
1.4 mi
2m
US 11
1.2 mi
1m
Highland Boulevard
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 86.9 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 31 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,874 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,958
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, MS and Meridian, MS.
1
Start on this road
45 ft·2 sec·this road
2
Turn straight onto Carthage Point Road
2.1 mi·8 min·Carthage Point Road
3
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
0.1 mi·29 sec·Carthage Point Road
4
Turn straight onto Lower Woodville Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Lower Woodville Road
5
Turn right onto Highland Boulevard
1.0 mi·2 min·Highland Boulevard
6
Turn left onto US 61
6.4 mi·7 min·Seargent Prentiss Drive
7
Take the exit onto US 84
53 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 84
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
9
Merge onto I 55
53 mi·57 min·I 55
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
2.1 mi·2 min·I 55
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
85 mi·1 hr 32 min·I 20; US 49
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
12
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.4 mi·1 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Toward South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Philadelphia, Meridian AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto US 11
1.2 mi·1 min·US 11
15
Turn right onto 8th Street
1.4 mi·2 min·8th Street
16
Turn right onto 25th Avenue
272 ft·11 sec·25th Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
25th Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a four-hour trek, departing in the morning allows you to arrive in Meridian with plenty of daylight to spare. You have the flexibility to tackle the drive in one push, but incorporating your single planned stop midway will help break up the monotony of the interstate sections. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when transitioning between I-55 and US-84 to ensure you don't run low during the longer highway segments. Because the route relies so heavily on I-20, check for traffic alerts on that specific stretch before you leave Carthage. Enjoy the efficiency of this route, which prioritizes speed and direct access over slower, secondary roads.
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 104.6 miles from Carthage, MS, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.9 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 46 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.6 miles or 2h 6m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meridian, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carthage, 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 Carthage, MS
This is one driving day of about 209.2 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Carthage, 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 86.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 207.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.2 mi into trip|~8m in|Carthage Point Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
117.1 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
119.2 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|I 20; US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49 toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
7
206.1 mi into trip|~3h 56m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Phila...
4
207.7 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|8th Street
Turn right onto 8th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.04 one way
$58.08 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$32.49
$64.98
premium
$4.29
$35.33
$70.65
diesel
$4.80
$39.50
$79.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.8
0
$21.97
$10.04
Efficient EV
52.3
0
$18.31
$8.37
EV Truck/SUV
83.7
1
$29.29
$13.39
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Carthage, MS
Night
in Carthage on Saturday
Local time
10:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Meridian, MS
Night
in Meridian on Saturday
Local time
10:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
W 0 to 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 1m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Natchez National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Discover the history of all the peoples of Natchez, Mississippi, from European settlement, African enslavement, the American cotton economy, to the Civil Rights struggle on the lower Mississippi River...
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 115.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 94% of your travel takes place on high-speed roads. You will utilize a combination of I-20, I-55, and US-84 to cover the distance, resulting in a consistent and fast-paced environment. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-20, where you will spend 86.9 miles focused on steady interstate driving. This is not a route defined by winding local backroads, but rather by the utility of major highway infrastructure. Behind the wheel, you will find the transition between these major arteries to be the primary change in the road's personality throughout the trip.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.9 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 55. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near Carthage Point Road.
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 209.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 2.2 miles (Carthage Point Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 117.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 119.2 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
478 ft73 ft
Total Climb
880 ft
Total Descent
612 ft
Highest Point
478 ft
~59.8 mi in
Elevation Range
406 ft
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 Carthage, MS to Meridian, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Hattiesburg along the way.
Meridian is a city in Mississippi. It was a titan of commerce of sorts during the Reconstruction era and up through the Great Depression, even after General Tecumseh Sherman had torched it, due to its being a hub to five major rail lines and manufacturing during its golden age. It is now a treasure trove for some of the architecture preserved from that period. Meridian is also noted for being the location of the US v. Cecil Price court case, where several Ku Klux Klan members were charged for the abduction and murder of three Civil Rights workers in 1964 in nearby Neshoba County, an event analogously portrayed in the film Mississippi Burning.
Top landmarks
•Meridian Regional Airport — airport in Mississippi, USA
•Threefoot Building — historic office building located in downtown Meridian, Mississippi
•Alex Loeb Building — commercial building in Meridian, Mississippi
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 209.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.9 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Meridian, MS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (Carthage Point Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 117.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 119.2 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Natchez National Historical Park and Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Meridian, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
