Rolling Fork, MS to Meridian, MS is 174.2 miles and takes about 3h 24m via I 20 and US 61, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a highway-focused experience for most of the journey, making it a straightforward trip. With a recommended one-day drive, you can easily complete this route without needing an overnight stop.
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
87.1 miles from Rolling Fork, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
127.3 mi
2h 19m
US 61
42.8 mi
57m
8th Street
1.4 mi
2m
US 11
1.2 mi
1m
MS 27
0.4 mi
<1m
Race Street
0.3 mi
<1m
25th Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Locust Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 127.3 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rolling Fork, MS and Meridian, MS.
1
Start on this road
127 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Locust Street
181 ft·12 sec·Locust Street
3
Turn left onto MS 14
0.3 mi·31 sec·Race Street
4
Turn right onto US 61
43 mi·57 min·US 61
5
Keep slight left at fork onto MS 27
0.3 mi·33 sec·MS 27
6
Turn straight onto MS 27
467 ft·16 sec·MS 27
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
8
Merge onto I 20; US 80
39 mi·43 min·I 20; US 80
9
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.1 mi·1 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
85 mi·1 hr 32 min·I 20; US 49
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
11
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.4 mi·1 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Toward South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Philadelphia, Meridian AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto US 11
1.2 mi·1 min·US 11
14
Turn right onto 8th Street
1.4 mi·2 min·8th Street
15
Turn right onto 25th Avenue
272 ft·11 sec·25th Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
25th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 24m duration, starting your drive in Rolling Fork, MS, in the morning allows ample time to reach Meridian, MS, before evening. With only one stop recommended, you can plan your break strategically along the 127.3-mile stretch on I 20. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as this is a highway-heavy route; ensure you fill up before embarking on the longest segment. The $26 fuel cost suggests a budget-friendly trip where you won't need to worry extensively about gas prices.
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 87.1 miles from Rolling Fork, MS, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.3 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 38 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.1 miles or 1h 48m 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 48m
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 Rolling Fork, 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 Rolling Fork, MS
This is one driving day of about 174.2 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Rolling Fork, 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 127.3 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 and 171.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Locust Street
Turn right onto Locust Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|MS 14 / Race Street
Turn left onto MS 14 / Race Street
Navigation decision point
5
43.7 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
6
84.3 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
171.2 mi into trip|~3h 19m 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
$26.31 one way
$52.62 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$28.88
$57.76
premium
$4.56
$31.27
$62.53
diesel
$5.61
$38.46
$76.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.3
0
$18.29
$8.36
Efficient EV
43.6
0
$15.24
$6.97
EV Truck/SUV
69.7
0
$24.39
$11.15
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 21, 2026
Origin
Rolling Fork, MS
Late night
in Rolling Fork on Tuesday
Local time
5:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Meridian, MS
Late night
in Meridian on Tuesday
Local time
5:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°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
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
3h 24m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 78.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 99% of the mileage on major roadways. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 127.3 miles on I 20, offering a consistent pace. The initial part of your journey involves US 61 and 8th Street before merging onto the interstate. The character is largely about efficient travel, minimizing slower local road sections.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.3 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 61. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Locust Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 174.2 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: near the start (Locust Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MS 14 / Race Street): Navigation decision point; at 43.7 miles: Navigation decision point.
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 Rolling Fork, 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 174.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.3 miles on I 20. 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.
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: near the start (Locust Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MS 14 / Race Street): Navigation decision point; at 43.7 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Meridian, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
