I live in Meridian but work in Decatur, just 9 miles north of Newton. Take the Newton exit (Hwy 15) head north and go through Decatur, Union, Philly, Noxapater, and then hit 25 in Louisville. Sounds horrible but you only hit 1 light in Decatur, 1 stop sign in Union, 1 light (maybe 2) around Philly and 1 stop sign in Noxapater.
I often leave my office at ECCC in Decatur (to go to Starkville) and I never go back through Meridian....
Just another option for you. As with any route, timing traffic is going to be the biggest factor.