How far is Meridian, MS from Forest, MS?

The driving distance from Meridian, MS to Forest, MS is about 49.9 miles (80.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 45 miles (72.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 54m 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
49.87 mi
00h 57m
Flight
44.97 mi
72.37 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
44.97 mi
Kilometers
72.37 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
49.87 mi
Kilometers
80.26 km
Drive Time
00h 57m

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 00h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Forest
Thu, Apr 16, 1:06 AM CDT
Return by in Meridian
Thu, Apr 16, 2:03 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Meridian
2026-04-16T00:09
Arrive Forest
Thu, Apr 16, 1:06 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:36 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

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
Newton
MS

City in Newton County, Mississippi

From Meridian
24.9 mi
00h 28m
To Forest
25 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 25th Avenue

    83 m · 17 sec · 25th Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 8th Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 8th Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Airport Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Airport Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Frontage Road

    907 ft · 15 sec · North Frontage Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight left

    1120 ft · 27 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 20 West: Jackson

    42.8 mi · 46 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MS 35: Raleigh, Forest

    1385 ft · 34 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on MS 35: Raleigh, Forest

    110 m · 9 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto Highway 35 South

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Highway 35 South

  11. 11

    Turn slight right

    100 m · 12 sec

  12. 12

    Turn slight right onto West 3rd Street

    1428 ft · 32 sec · West 3rd Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto North Banks Street

    57 m · 5 sec · North Banks Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Banks Street

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 20 West
42.8 mi · 86%
North Frontage Road
1.99 mi · 4%
Highway 35 South
1.8 mi · 4%
8th Street
1.45 mi · 3%
Airport Boulevard
1.07 mi · 2%
MS 35
0.33 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 20 West

Keep slight right to continue on I 20 West: Jackson

42.8 mi · 00h 46m

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
00h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.9 mi
45 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Newton
00h 28m from Meridian
Leave By
4:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Meridian and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Forest.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 49.9 miles (80.3 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?

Newton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.9 miles from Meridian and 25 miles from Forest.

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

The direct path is about 45 miles (72.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.9 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 4:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.67 one way or $13.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Meridian and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Forest.

Stop Ideas Near Newton

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

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

RAIL

Union Station

44 mi away
1901 Front Street
RAIL

Laurel station

70 mi away
230 North Maple Street
RAIL

Union Station

97 mi away
300 W. Capital Street
BUS

Hattiesburg, MS

105 mi away
7297 US Highway 49

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Meridian and Forest. Straight-line distance: 44.97 mi (72.37 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
Forest

#2 Forest

City in Mississippi, United States

Population5,483
Coordinates32.3645900, -89.4742300
Altitude145
CountryUnited States
Start: Meridian (-88.70366, 32.36431)
End: Forest (-89.47423, 32.36459)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 80 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.76 gal
6.66 L · about $6.67
Round trip
$13.33
3.52 gal · 13.32 L
Estimated CO2
15.6 kg one way
Round trip: 31.3 kg / 69 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $6.67 $13.33
Mid-grade $4.26 $7.50 $14.99
Premium $4.63 $8.14 $16.28
Diesel $5.42 $9.53 $19.06

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Meridian and Forest. The current time is 00:09:37.

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.