Connecting Jackson to Meridian is a straightforward 92.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 43 minutes. Since this trip is entirely within the Southeast region of Mississippi, it is easily manageable as a quick day trip, meaning you likely won't need to book an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $14 on fuel for the one-way trek. Following I-20 for the majority of the distance keeps the transit time efficient for travelers looking to get from city to city without unnecessary detours. Whether you are heading east for business or a change of scenery, this route serves as a reliable link between the two municipalities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.3 miles from Jackson, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
85.9 mi
1h 32m
8th Street
1.4 mi
2m
US 11
1.2 mi
1m
I 55
0.8 mi
1m
East Pascagoula Street
0.5 mi
1m
East Pearl Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
South Lamar Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
25th Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 85.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, MS and Meridian, MS.
1
Start on East Pearl Street
443 ft·15 sec·East Pearl Street
2
Turn left onto South Lamar Street
372 ft·17 sec·South Lamar Street
3
Turn left onto East Pascagoula Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Pascagoula Street
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
6
Merge onto I 55
0.8 mi·1 min·I 55
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward I 20 East: Flowood, Meridian
9
Merge onto I 20
86 mi·1 hr 32 min·I 20
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Toward South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Philadelphia, Meridian AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto US 11
1.2 mi·1 min·US 11
12
Turn right onto 8th Street
1.4 mi·2 min·8th Street
13
Turn right onto 25th Avenue
272 ft·11 sec·25th Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
25th Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this is a short, efficient drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 92.5-mile distance without needing to plan for formal stops, though keeping your fuel budget of $14 in mind will help you stay on track. Since the longest stretch is nearly 86 miles of highway, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained speeds before leaving Jackson. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid typical commuter traffic patterns near the city centers. A helpful tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points from I-20 onto 8th Street and US 11 ahead of time to ensure a smooth arrival 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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.3 miles from Jackson, MS, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.9 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 20 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.3 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.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jackson, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jackson, MS
This is one driving day of about 92.5 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Jackson, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 85.9 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 0.1 and 89.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Lamar Street
Turn left onto South Lamar Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|East Pascagoula Street
Turn left onto East Pascagoula Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattie...
6
3.2 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Flowood, Meridian
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East: Flowood, Meridian
7
89.5 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
$13.97 one way
$27.94 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$15.34
$30.67
premium
$4.56
$16.60
$33.21
diesel
$5.61
$20.42
$40.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.8
0
$9.71
$4.44
Efficient EV
23.1
0
$8.09
$3.70
EV Truck/SUV
37
0
$12.95
$5.92
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Jackson, MS
Late night
in Jackson on Tuesday
Local time
4:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Meridian, MS
Late night
in Meridian on Tuesday
Local time
4:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
84°F
Forest, MS
46 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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
1h 43m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a quintessential highway-focused experience, with 95% of your time spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your journey on I-20, which accounts for a significant 85.9-mile stretch of the trip. The character of the road is consistent and predictable, prioritizing speed and directness over winding backroads. As you transition from the interstate toward your final destination, you will eventually exit onto 8th Street and US 11 to reach the heart of Meridian. Expect a steady, uninterrupted pace that allows you to cover the distance quickly once you merge onto the main highway.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.9 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and 8th Street. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Lamar Street.
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 92.5 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 0.1 miles (South Lamar Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East Pascagoula Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Jackson is the capital of the state of Mississippi. While it may not offer much in terms of tourism today, Jackson can be used as a stopover for getting to other parts of the state or further.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 92.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.9 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Lamar Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East Pascagoula Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Meridian, MS before heading back.
