Cleveland, MS to Meridian, MS is 211.6 miles and takes about 4h 18m via I 20 and North Martin Luther King Drive/Jerry Clower Boulevard, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. With over half the drive on the highway, expect a fairly direct path. This route is a solid choice for a single-day trip, offering a straightforward connection between these two Mississippi cities.
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
105.8 miles from Cleveland, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
88 mi
1h 35m
North Martin Luther King Drive
46.2 mi
55m
Jerry Clower Boulevard
38.8 mi
47m
MS 448
13.5 mi
23m
South Davis Avenue
10.2 mi
13m
US 49
8.7 mi
10m
8th Street
1.4 mi
2m
US 11
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 88 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 62 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,152 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,059
Quietest
2 AM
~212 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Cleveland, MS and Meridian, MS.
1
Start on South Court Street
77 ft·8 sec·South Court Street
2
Turn left onto South Bolivar Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·South Bolivar Avenue
3
Turn left onto College Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·College Street
4
Continue on Lee Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Lee Street
5
Turn right onto US 61; US 278
10 mi·13 min·South Davis Avenue
6
Turn left onto MS 448
1.1 mi·2 min·East Peeler Avenue
7
Turn right onto MS 448
13 mi·23 min·MS 448
8
Turn left onto US 82
0.7 mi·1 min·US 82
9
Turn right onto US 49W
46 mi·55 min·North Martin Luther King Drive
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W
0.5 mi·53 sec·US 49W
Toward US 49 South: Jackson
11
Merge onto US 49
39 mi·47 min·Jerry Clower Boulevard
12
Take the exit onto US 49
4.9 mi·5 min·US 49
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
3.8 mi·5 min·US 49
14
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.1 mi·1 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
85 mi·1 hr 32 min·I 20; US 49
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
16
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.4 mi·1 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Toward South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Philadelphia, Meridian AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto US 11
1.2 mi·1 min·US 11
19
Turn right onto 8th Street
1.4 mi·2 min·8th Street
20
Turn right onto 25th Avenue
272 ft·11 sec·25th Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
25th Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 4 hours, this is a very manageable one-day drive. Consider departing in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential stops. The longest stretch without exiting the main highway is 88 miles on I 20, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. Since the total distance is under 215 miles, you have the flexibility to leave when it's most convenient for you and still arrive with ample daylight.
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 105.8 miles from Cleveland, MS, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88 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 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.8 miles or 2h 20m 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 35m
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 Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, MS
This is one driving day of about 211.6 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Cleveland, 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 88 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 208.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South Bolivar Avenue
Turn left onto South Bolivar Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|US 61; US 278 / South Davis Avenue
Turn right onto US 61; US 278 / South Davis Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
72.6 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|US 49W
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W toward US 49 South: Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 49 South: Jackson
6
121.7 mi into trip|~2h 39m 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
208.6 mi into trip|~4h 13m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.39 one way
$64.78 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$35.87
$71.74
premium
$4.65
$38.73
$77.46
diesel
$6.28
$52.28
$104.57
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 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.5
0
$22.22
$10.16
Efficient EV
52.9
0
$18.52
$8.46
EV Truck/SUV
84.6
1
$29.62
$13.54
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Cleveland, MS
Morning
in Cleveland on Thursday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Meridian, MS
Morning
in Meridian on Thursday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Sunny
ENE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
3 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 18m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 116.8
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 211.6-mile drive is 53% highway, meaning you'll spend over half the time on major interstates. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 88 miles on I 20. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads, indicated by a mixed highway and surface profile. You'll notice a change in pace and exit frequency as you move between these two types of roads.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Bolivar Avenue.
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 211.6 miles you will encounter 16 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 (South Bolivar Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (US 61; US 278 / South Davis Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 72.6 miles (US 49W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
469 ft107 ft
Total Climb
375 ft
Total Descent
175 ft
Highest Point
469 ft
~141.3 mi in
Elevation Range
362 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 Cleveland, MS to Meridian, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Hattiesburg along the way.
Cleveland is a city in Mississippi. It is home to Delta State University. The town is nearly flat, and according to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.9 km² (7.3 mi²), all land. The population as of 2019 was 11,000.
Top landmarks
•Temple Adath Israel — listed on the NRHP in Mississippi
•Grammy Museum Mississippi — museum of popular music in Cleveland, Mississippi
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
•Soulé Steam Feed Works — business in Meridian, Mississippi
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 211.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88 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: near the start (South Bolivar Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (US 61; US 278 / South Davis Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 72.6 miles (US 49W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Meridian, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
