Parking area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Bay Saint Louis, MS to Starkville, MS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 20m
Distance
269 mi
433 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 8m
★
6 AM
5h 21m
8 AM
5h 48m
10 AM
5h 30m
12 PM
5h 28m
3 PM
5h 32m
5 PM
5h 46m
8 PM
5h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bay Saint Louis, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Starkville, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Bay Saint Louis to Starkville is 269 miles and takes about 5h 20m via I 59 and US 45, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Mississippi, connecting the Southeast region from the coast to inland areas. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward trip. It's a practical choice if you need to cover ground efficiently between these two points without a lengthy overnight commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
134.5 miles from Bay Saint Louis, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 129.5 mi | 2h 20m |
| US 45 | 65.1 mi | 1h 14m |
| MS 43 | 24.9 mi | 36m |
| US Highway 45 Alternate | 18.5 mi | 21m |
| MS 53 | 15.6 mi | 23m |
| MS 182 | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| US 90 | 2 mi | 2m |
| MS 12 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 129.5 mi, about 2h 20m
Traffic on I-59
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~910 veh/hr typical · worst 1,113
Quietest
2 AM
~86 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bay Saint Louis, MS and Starkville, MS.
1
Start on South 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
South 2nd Street
2
Turn left onto Main Street
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 90
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 90
Use the left lane.
4
Turn slight right
371 ft
·
12 sec
5
Continue on MS 43; MS 603
25 mi
·
36 min
·
MS 43; MS 603
6
Continue on MS 53
16 mi
·
23 min
·
MS 53
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
8
Merge onto I 59
121 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
·
I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
I 59
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 45 North: Macon
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto US 45
65 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US Highway 45 Alternate
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupelo
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Take the exit
6.6 mi
·
7 min
Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward MS 182 West: Starkville
15
Continue on MS 182
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
MS 182
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward MS 12 West: Ackerman
Use the left lane.
17
Turn straight onto MS 12
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
MS 12
18
Turn slight left
78 ft
·
5 sec
19
Turn left onto Eckford Drive
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Eckford Drive
20
Continue on Victory Lane
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Victory Lane
21
Turn right
214 ft
·
17 sec
22
Turn right
290 ft
·
21 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 20m estimated drive time, starting your trip in Bay Saint Louis in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive in Starkville with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility on where to take a break, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long 129.5-mile stretch on I 59. The fuel cost is estimated at $39, so plan accordingly. As the majority of the drive is highway, you'll encounter a consistent pace, making it easy to manage your time.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 134.5 miles from Bay Saint Louis, MS, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 59 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.5 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Starkville, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bay Saint Louis, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bay Saint Louis, MS
This is one driving day of about 269 miles and 5h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Bay Saint Louis, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 59 for about 129.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.5 miles from Bay Saint Louis, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Parking Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
1.6 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 44.2 and 266.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
44.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
I 59
Merge onto I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
164.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
|
I 59
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscalo...
6
173.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 45 North: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 45 North: Macon
8
239.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m in
|
US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupel...
7
266.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m in
Turn left toward MS 12 West: Ackerman
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward MS 12 West: Ackerman
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.35 one way
$82.69 round trip
$3.90/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $45.73 | $91.46 |
| premium | $4.65 | $49.21 | $98.43 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $56.66 | $113.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.7 | 0 | $28.25 | $12.91 |
| Efficient EV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.54 | $10.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.6 | 1 | $37.66 | $17.22 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Bay Saint Louis, MS
Afternoon in Bay Saint Louis on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:37PM CDT until June 3 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:35PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Starkville, MS
Afternoon in Starkville on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph
10% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:37PM CDT until June 3 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:35PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
89°F
Quitman, MS
135 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
8 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 20m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 97% of the trip on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 129.5 miles on I 59 before transitioning to US 45 and MS 43. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate these main arteries. The shift from interstate to US highway will likely feel like a change from faster, higher-density traffic to more of a cruising speed with fewer immediate services.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.5 mi on I 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.2 miles in near I 59.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 269 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 44.2 miles (I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.7 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
427 ft
23 ft
Total Climb
864 ft
Total Descent
555 ft
Highest Point
427 ft
~134.5 mi in
Elevation Range
404 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bay Saint Louis, MS and Starkville, MS, road signs point toward Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
Tuscaloosa
164.7 mi in
|
~3h 16m
|
via I 59
Tupelo
239.1 mi in
|
~4h 41m
|
via US 45 ALT
About the Cities
Starting in Bay Saint Louis, MS
Full guide →Bay St Louis is a resort town in Hancock County on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Although it has the area's only casino, it is one of the quieter resorts.
Arriving in Starkville, MS
Full guide →“Starkvegas” · Founded 1835
Starkville is a city in East Mississippi. Mississippi State University is located just to the east of the city limits, and is included in this article.
Top landmarks
- • Odd Fellows Cemetery — African-American cemetery in Starkville, Mississippi
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 269 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.5 miles on I 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Starkville, MS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 44.2 miles (I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.7 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Starkville, MS before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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