How far is Columbia, MS from Meridian, MS?

The driving distance from Columbia, MS to Meridian, MS is about 118.6 miles (190.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 101.7 miles (163.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
118.55 mi
01h 53m
Flight
101.69 mi
163.65 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
101.69 mi
Kilometers
163.65 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
118.55 mi
Kilometers
190.79 km
Drive Time
01h 53m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Meridian
Mon, May 4, 6:16 AM CDT
Return by in Columbia
Mon, May 4, 8:10 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-05-04T04:23
Arrive Meridian
Mon, May 4, 6:16 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:53 AM to 11:53 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:44 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbia
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Laurel
MS

City in Mississippi, United States of America

From Columbia
58.7 mi
00h 56m
To Meridian
59.9 mi
00h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SSW
Destination
80°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Meridian.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Meridian.

  1. 1

    Start on Pittman Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Pittman Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 2nd Street

    660 ft · 20 sec · 2nd Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Main Street

    125 m · 7 sec · Main Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Broad Street

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Broad Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Old Hwy 98 East

    1.5 km · 2 min · Old Hwy 98 East

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight toward Old Hwy 98 East

    57 m · 5 sec · Old Hwy 98 East

  7. 7

    Turn left

    22.5 mi · 27 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1.2 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    2453 ft · 40 sec

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    1706 ft · 26 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    2.4 mi · 4 min

  12. 12

    Take the ramp sharp left toward I 59 North: Laurel

    2520 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    82.1 mi · 1 hr 29 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa

    2 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Philadelphia, Meridian Airport

    1916 ft · 44 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  17. 17

    Turn right onto 8th Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 8th Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto 25th Avenue

    83 m · 12 sec · 25th Avenue

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 25th Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Meridian.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 59 North
84.6 mi · 71%
Old Hwy 98 East
4.85 mi · 4%
Broad Street
2.06 mi · 2%
8th Street
1.45 mi · 1%
South US 11
0.36 mi
2nd Street
0.12 mi
Longest Stretch

I 59 North

Merge slight left

82.1 mi · 01h 29m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.9 mi
101.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Laurel
00h 56m from Columbia
Leave By
2:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Columbia and Sunny near Meridian.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Meridian?

The road trip is about 118.6 miles (190.8 km) and usually takes 01h 53m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.7 miles from Columbia and 59.9 miles from Meridian.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 101.7 miles (163.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.83 one way or $31.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbia and Sunny near Meridian.

Stop Ideas Near Laurel

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Laurel, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Laurel.

RAIL

Laurel station

230 North Maple Street
BUS

Hattiesburg, MS

41 mi away
7297 US Highway 49
RAIL

Hattiesburg station

43 mi away
308 Newman St.
RAIL

Union Station

85 mi away
1901 Front Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Meridian. Straight-line distance: 101.69 mi (163.65 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

City in Mississippi, United States

Population5,850
Coordinates31.2518400, -89.8375800
Altitude45
CountryUnited States
Meridian

#2 Meridian

City in and the county seat of Lauderdale County, Mississippi, United States

Population36,011
Coordinates32.3643100, -88.7036600
Altitude105
CountryUnited States
Start: 2nd Street (-89.837459, 31.251918)
End: 25th Avenue (-88.703608, 32.36431)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 191 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.18 gal
15.84 L · about $15.83
Round trip
$31.66
8.36 gal · 31.68 L
Estimated CO2
37.1 kg one way
Round trip: 74.3 kg / 164 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $15.83 $31.66
Mid-grade $4.26 $17.80 $35.61
Premium $4.63 $19.33 $38.67
Diesel $5.42 $22.63 $45.27

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Mississippi · May 04, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbia and Meridian. The current time is 04:23:23.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.