Origin
New Hope, MS
Late night in New Hope on Tuesday
Local time
4:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Hope, MS to Meridian, MS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 3m
Distance
97.7 mi
157 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 54m
★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 21m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 8m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 20m
8 PM
1h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Hope, MS
James Mirakian
Meridian, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
New Hope to Meridian is 97.7 miles and takes about 2h 3m via US 45 and MS 182, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Given its short duration and highway profile, it's a straightforward trip suitable for a single day. The majority of the drive is on well-maintained roads, making it a practical choice for getting between these two points efficiently. You'll find most of the driving is on main highways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.9 miles from New Hope, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 45 | 81.9 mi | 1h 34m |
| MS 182 | 6.1 mi | 10m |
| Old Highway 45 North | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| New Hope Road | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Front Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Dale Drive | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| 2nd Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 45
— 81.9 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Hope, MS and Meridian, MS.
1
Start on New Hope Road
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
New Hope Road
2
Turn left onto MS 182
6.1 mi
·
10 min
·
MS 182
Use the straight lane.
3
Enter roundabout onto MS 69; MS 182
60 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on MS 69; MS 182
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
6
Merge onto US 45; US 82; MS 12
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 45; US 82; MS 12
7
Take the exit onto US 45
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 45
Toward US 45 South: Macon, Meridian
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45
135 ft
·
7 sec
·
US 45
Toward US 45 South: Macon, Meridian
9
Turn left onto US 45
15 mi
·
16 min
·
US 45
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on US 45
64 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
US 45
11
Keep slight left at fork onto Old Highway 45 North
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Old Highway 45 North
12
Continue on MS 884
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
·
Dale Drive
13
Continue on Front Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
14
Continue on 4th Street
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
4th Street
15
Turn slight left onto 2nd Street
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
2nd Street
16
Turn right onto 22nd Avenue
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
22nd Avenue
17
Turn left onto 8th Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
8th Street
18
Turn left onto 25th Avenue
272 ft
·
11 sec
·
25th Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
25th Avenue
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over two hours, you can easily complete this trip in one day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight, though the route is short enough to manage even with a later start. You won't need to worry about splitting the drive, but plan for one stop if needed, perhaps around the halfway mark or closer to Meridian. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $15 cost suggests you won't need extensive refueling, but it's always wise to top up before heading out, especially since the longest stretch on US 45 is over 80 miles.
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 48.9 miles from New Hope, MS, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.9 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 21 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.9 miles or 1h 3m 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 39m
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 New Hope, 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 New Hope, MS
This is one driving day of about 97.7 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from New Hope, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 45 for about 81.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.9 miles from New Hope, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 97.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
MS 182
Turn left onto MS 182
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
MS 69; MS 182 / Main Street
Enter roundabout onto MS 69; MS 182 / Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
11.7 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
US 45
Take the exit onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Macon, Meridian
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 45 South: Macon, Meridian
7
11.9 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
US 45
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Macon, Meridian
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 45 South: Macon, Meridian
5
97.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
|
25th Avenue
Turn left onto 25th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.76 one way
$29.51 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $16.20 | $32.39 |
| premium | $4.56 | $17.54 | $35.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.57 | $43.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.26 | $4.69 |
| Efficient EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.55 | $3.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.1 | 0 | $13.68 | $6.25 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Meridian, MS
Late night in Meridian on Tuesday
Local time
4:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Macon, MS
49 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
25 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 3m 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?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 95% of the 97.7 miles on major roads like US 45 and MS 182. You'll experience a long stretch of 81.9 miles on US 45, which means extended periods of consistent speed. The remaining approximately 4.9 miles will be on Old Highway 45 North, indicating a transition to more local surface roads towards the end. Expect a smooth, primarily highway cruising experience for most of this trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.9 mi on US 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 45 and MS 182. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near MS 182.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 97.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 1.9 miles (MS 182): Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles (MS 69; MS 182 / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 11.7 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving 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 2h 3m. Total distance: 97.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 3m 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 81.9 miles on US 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (MS 182): Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles (MS 69; MS 182 / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 11.7 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Meridian, MS before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Meridian, MS
Explore more options from New Hope, MS or browse trips ending in Meridian, MS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.