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Trip from Meridian, MS to Gulf Hills, MS

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 13m

Distance

166.2 mi

267 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

11 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 2m ★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 23m
5 PM
3h 36m
8 PM
3h 7m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Meridian, MS, MS

Meridian, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Gulf Hills, MS, MS

Gulf Hills, MS

Siarhei Nester

Trip Overview

The drive from Meridian, MS to Gulf Hills, MS covers 166.2 miles and takes about 3h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 59, US 49, Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.7 miles on I 59. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.10 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

83.1 miles from Meridian, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 59 88.7 mi 1h 36m
US 49 41.9 mi 49m
Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway 20.5 mi 24m
US 98 3.2 mi 4m
I 10 2.7 mi 2m
Washington Avenue 1.6 mi 3m
I 20 1.6 mi 1m
8th Street 1.4 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 59 — 88.7 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Meridian, MS and Gulf Hills, MS.

1

Start on 25th Avenue

272 ft · 17 sec · 25th Avenue
2

Turn left onto 8th Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
3

Turn left onto MS 19

1.1 mi · 1 min · Airport Boulevard
4

Turn right onto North Frontage Road

0.2 mi · 15 sec · North Frontage Road
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6

Merge onto I 20; I 59; US 80

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 20; I 59; US 80
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 59

89 mi · 1 hr 36 min · I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit onto US 98

3.2 mi · 4 min · US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11

Turn right onto US 49

42 mi · 49 min · US 49
Use the straight lane.
12

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward MS 67 South: D'Iberville, Biloxi
13

Continue on MS 67

20 mi · 24 min · Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
14

Continue on I 110

0.1 mi · 10 sec · I 110
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Exit 4A Toward I 10 East: Pascagoula, Mobile
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 10
17

Merge onto I 10

2.7 mi · 2 min · I 10
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward MS 609: Ocean Springs
19

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
20

Turn straight onto MS 609

1.6 mi · 3 min · Washington Avenue
21

Turn right onto Hugh Seymour Lane

0.2 mi · 57 sec · Hugh Seymour Lane
22

Turn right onto Ridge Road

0.2 mi · 55 sec · Ridge Road
23

Continue on Shore Drive

0.1 mi · 39 sec · Shore Drive
24

Turn left onto West el Bonito Drive

0.2 mi · 51 sec · West el Bonito Drive
25

Arrive at destination

West el Bonito Drive

Trip Plan

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 83.1 miles from Meridian, MS, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.7 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 37 miles or 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 83.1 miles or 1h 31m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulf Hills, MS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Meridian, 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 Meridian, MS

This is one driving day of about 166.2 miles and 3h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Meridian, 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 59 for about 88.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hattiesburg, MS

83 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Laurel, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hattiesburg, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 83.1 miles from Meridian, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Mosaic Restaurant & Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 166.2

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12288189885

Visit website

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Meridian, Mississippi

1.9 mi

El Norte Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Meridian, Mississippi

2.8 mi

Mosaic Restaurant & Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 166.2

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12288189885

Visit website

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Meridian, Mississippi

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16016933075

Visit website

Ward's Restaurant

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 59.3

Laurel, Mississippi

Hours: 5:45 am–9 pm

+16016499278

Visit website

Chili's Grill & Bar

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Meridian, Mississippi

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+16014823280

Visit website

El Norte Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Meridian, Mississippi

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16015538377

Visit website

The Daily Grind

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Meridian, Mississippi

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+16014858099

Visit website

Cater's Market Meridian

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Meridian, Mississippi

Hours: 8 am–5:30 pm

+16014825515

Visit website

PJ's Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour Inexpensiv

Meridian, Mississippi

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+16012865941

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 166.2

Biloxi, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 166.2

Biloxi, Mississippi

+18889462847

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 166.2

Biloxi, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18009462946

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 166.2

Biloxi, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12285463100

Visit website

Eaton Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 166.2

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

+18773862273

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 166.2

Biloxi, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12283867111

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 166.2

Biloxi, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18007252239

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 166.2

D'Iberville, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Dizzy Dean Rest Area

0 mi from route

Parking area

0.1 mi from route

Parking Area

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.5 mi from route

Mr. Fuel Travel Center

1.6 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

1.9 mi from route

Mississippi Children's Museum - Meridian

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Meridian, Mississippi

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16015120270

Visit website

Walter Anderson Museum of Art

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 166.2

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+12288723164

Visit website

Dunn's Falls Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 11.9

Enterprise, Mississippi

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16016558550

Visit website

Time Will Tell Escape Games

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 83.1

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Hours: 1:30–8:30 pm

+16018136951

Visit website

African American Military History Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 83.1

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+16014501942

Visit website

Hattiesburg Zoo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 83.1

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+16015454576

Visit website

Hattiesburg Pocket Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 83.1

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Biloxi Lighthouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 166.2

Biloxi, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12283743105

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 96.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
4.6 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 59

Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
7
93.3 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | US 98

Take the exit onto US 98 toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile

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 US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
7
96.5 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in

Take the exit toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast

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 US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gu...
9
96.8 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
6
96.9 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in | US 49

Turn right onto US 49

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.10 one way

$50.20 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $27.55 $55.11
premium $4.56 $29.83 $59.66
diesel $5.61 $36.69 $73.39

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

11 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Cracker Barrel - Tesla Supercharger

Meridian, MS

Tesla

12 DCFC

Lakeview Village Shopping Mall - Tesla Supercharger

D'Iberville, MS

Tesla

12 DCFC

Bonita Lakes Mall - Tesla Supercharger

Meridian, MS

Tesla

8 DCFC

Cracker Barrel - Tesla Supercharger

Hattiesburg, MS

Tesla

8 DCFC

Turtle Creek Crossing - Tesla Supercharger

Hattiesburg, MS

Tesla

8 DCFC

Pilot Travel Center 388

Meridian, MS

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Mack Grubbs Hyundai

Hattiesburg, MS

Blink Network

2 DCFC

Dossett GMC Cadillac

Hattiesburg, MS

EV Connect

2 DCFC

Tesla: 5 EV Connect: 2 eVgo Network: 1 Blink Network: 1 Non-Networked: 1 RED_E: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.9 0 $17.45 $7.98
Efficient EV 41.6 0 $14.54 $6.65
EV Truck/SUV 66.5 0 $23.27 $10.64

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Meridian, MS

Morning in Meridian on Sunday

Local time

11:40 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gulf Hills, MS

Morning in Gulf Hills on Sunday

Local time

11:40 AM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live 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

21 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

3h 13m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

166.2 mi in 3h 13m, mostly highway — 88.7 mi of that is on I 59.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.7 mi on I 59.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in near I 59.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 166.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Meridian, MS and Gulf Hills, MS, road signs point toward Mobile, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg and Biloxi.

Mobile

93.3 mi in | ~1h 42m | via US 98

Gulfport

96.5 mi in | ~1h 47m

Mississippi Gulf Coast

96.5 mi in | ~1h 47m

Multi Purpose Center

96.8 mi in | ~1h 47m

Hattiesburg

96.8 mi in | ~1h 47m

Biloxi

138.8 mi in | ~2h 37m

About the Cities

Starting in Meridian, MS

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 166.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 13m 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 88.7 miles on I 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Gulf Hills, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Gulf Hills, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Gulf Hills, MS to Meridian, MS

Plan the drive back the other way.

166 mi 3h 14m

Continue From Gulf Hills, MS

Biloxi, MS 6.4 mi · 12m

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