How far is Meridian, MS from Columbus, MS?

The driving distance from Meridian, MS to Columbus, MS is about 89.8 miles (144.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 79.8 miles (128.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 35m 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
89.8 mi
01h 47m
Flight
79.8 mi
128.42 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Meridian.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
79.8 mi
Kilometers
128.42 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
89.8 mi
Kilometers
144.52 km
Drive Time
01h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbus
Thu, Apr 23, 11:11 AM CDT
Return by in Meridian
Thu, Apr 23, 12:58 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Meridian
2026-04-23T09:23
Arrive Columbus
Thu, Apr 23, 11:11 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:48 AM to 11:48 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:54 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Meridian
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

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

Mid-route stop
Shuqualak
MS

Human settlement in Noxubee County, Mississippi, United States of America

From Meridian
45 mi
00h 53m
To Columbus
44.8 mi
00h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SSE
Destination
84°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 25th Avenue

    83 m · 14 sec · 25th Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 8th Street

    660 ft · 17 sec · 8th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 23rd Avenue

    1190 ft · 27 sec · 23rd Avenue

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Front Street

    120 m · 9 sec · Front Street

  5. 5

    Continue on 2nd Street

    2706 ft · 46 sec · 2nd Street

  6. 6

    Continue on 4th Street

    541 ft · 9 sec · 4th Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Front Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Front Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Dale Drive

    3017 ft · 53 sec · Dale Drive

  9. 9

    Continue on Old Highway 45 North

    4.4 mi · 7 min · Old Highway 45 North

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    61.3 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on US 45 North: Columbus, Aberdeen

    3.4 mi · 4 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    14.3 mi · 17 min

  13. 13

    Continue on Plymouth Bluff Access Road

    95 m · 6 sec · Plymouth Bluff Access Road

  14. 14

    Take the exit right toward US 82 East, US 45 North, MS 12 East: Columbus

    3.1 mi · 4 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right

    1116 ft · 27 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right

    555 ft · 14 sec

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto Main Street

    1815 ft · 41 sec · Main Street

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street

    19 m · 1 sec · Main Street

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

    1551 ft · 49 sec · Main Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto North 6th Street

    52 m · 9 sec · North 6th Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 6th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
0 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Old Highway 45 North
65.7 mi · 73%
US 45 North
17.7 mi · 20%
US 82 East
3.37 mi · 4%
Front Street
0.74 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.65 mi · 1%
Dale Drive
0.57 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Old Highway 45 North

Continue straight

61.3 mi · 01h 10m

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 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10 mi
79.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Shuqualak
00h 53m from Meridian
Leave By
2:54 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Meridian and Sunny near Columbus.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 89.8 miles (144.5 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?

Shuqualak is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45 miles from Meridian and 44.8 miles from Columbus.

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

The direct path is about 79.8 miles (128.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 10 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 2:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.00 one way or $24.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Shuqualak

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Shuqualak, 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 Shuqualak.

RAIL

Union Station

69 mi away
1901 Front Street
RAIL

Tuscaloosa

97 mi away
2105 Greensboro Ave

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Meridian and Columbus. Straight-line distance: 79.8 mi (128.42 km).

Meridian

#1 Meridian

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

Population36,011
Coordinates32.3643100, -88.7036600
Altitude105
CountryUnited States
Columbus

#2 Columbus

County seat of Lowndes County, Mississippi, United States

Population23,307
Coordinates33.4956700, -88.4272600
Altitude66
CountryUnited States
Start: Meridian (-88.70366, 32.36431)
End: Columbus (-88.42726, 33.49567)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 145 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.17 gal
12 L · about $12.00
Round trip
$24.01
6.34 gal · 24 L
Estimated CO2
28.2 kg one way
Round trip: 56.3 kg / 124 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $12.00 $24.01
Mid-grade $4.26 $13.50 $27.00
Premium $4.63 $14.66 $29.32
Diesel $5.42 $17.17 $34.33

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Meridian and Columbus. The current time is 09:23:35.

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.