How far is Meridian, MS from Petal, MS?

The driving distance from Meridian, MS to Petal, MS is about 85.7 miles (137.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 77.5 miles (124.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 20m 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
85.69 mi
01h 40m
Flight
77.53 mi
124.77 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
77.53 mi
Kilometers
124.77 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
85.69 mi
Kilometers
137.91 km
Drive Time
01h 40m

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 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Petal
Sat, Apr 25, 10:29 PM CDT
Return by in Meridian
Sun, Apr 26, 12:09 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Meridian
2026-04-25T20:48
Arrive Petal
Sat, Apr 25, 10:29 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:40 AM to 11:40 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:10 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
Heidelberg
MS

Town in Jasper County, Mississippi, USA, population ca.

From Meridian
42.9 mi
00h 50m
To Petal
42.8 mi
00h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SW
Destination
86°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 left to continue on I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans

    67.8 mi · 1 hr 14 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Moselle

    760 ft · 22 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Moselle

    36 m · 4 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Moselle-Seminary Road

    2923 ft · 1 min · Moselle-Seminary Road

  11. 11

    Turn straight

    11.8 mi · 16 min

  12. 12

    Turn slight left

    109 m · 15 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West Central Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · West Central Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Morris Street

    34 m · 3 sec · Morris Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Morris Street

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 59 South
67.8 mi · 79%
North Frontage Road
1.99 mi · 2%
8th Street
1.45 mi · 2%
Airport Boulevard
1.07 mi · 1%
West Central Avenue
0.79 mi · 1%
Moselle-Seminary Road
0.55 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 59 South

Keep slight left to continue on I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans

67.8 mi · 01h 14m

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 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.2 mi
77.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Heidelberg
00h 50m from Meridian
Leave By
3:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Meridian and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Petal.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 85.7 miles (137.9 km) and usually takes 01h 40m 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?

Heidelberg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.9 miles from Meridian and 42.8 miles from Petal.

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

The direct path is about 77.5 miles (124.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.2 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 3:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.44 one way or $22.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms around Meridian and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Petal.

Stop Ideas Near Heidelberg

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

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

RAIL

Laurel station

26 mi away
230 North Maple Street
RAIL

Union Station

60 mi away
1901 Front Street
BUS

Hattiesburg, MS

67 mi away
7297 US Highway 49
RAIL

Hattiesburg station

69 mi away
308 Newman St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Meridian and Petal. Straight-line distance: 77.53 mi (124.77 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
Petal

#2 Petal

Suburb city of Hattiesburg, located in Forrest County, Mississippi

Population10,692
Coordinates31.3465600, -89.2600600
Altitude48
CountryUnited States
Start: Meridian (-88.70366, 32.36431)
End: Petal (-89.26006, 31.34656)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 138 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.02 gal
11.45 L · about $11.44
Round trip
$22.87
6.04 gal · 22.9 L
Estimated CO2
26.8 kg one way
Round trip: 53.7 kg / 118 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $11.44 $22.87
Mid-grade $4.26 $12.86 $25.72
Premium $4.63 $13.97 $27.94
Diesel $5.42 $16.35 $32.71

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 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Meridian and Petal. The current time is 20:48:34.

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.