Brandon, MS to New Albany, MS is 204.6 miles and takes about 4 hours and 2 minutes via I 55 and MS 7, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traversing the Southeast region from start to finish. Given its mostly highway profile and single day recommendation, it's a straightforward drive for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a direct connection between these two points with minimal detours.
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
102.3 miles from Brandon, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
116.5 mi
2h 6m
MS 7
44.8 mi
53m
Mississippi Highway 30
30 mi
44m
I-20
9.2 mi
10m
East Government Street
1.1 mi
1m
West Bankhead Street
0.9 mi
2m
Highway 30 West
0.4 mi
<1m
Highland Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 116.5 mi, about 2h 6m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 98 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,895 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~167 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Brandon, MS and New Albany, MS.
1
Start on US 80
1.1 mi·1 min·East Government Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
3
Merge onto I 20
9.2 mi·10 min·I-20
4
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 55 North: North Jackson, GrenadaUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 55
117 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 55
6
Take the exit onto MS 7
36 mi·41 min·MS 7
Toward MS 7 North: Coffeeville
7
Enter roundabout onto MS 7
171 ft·2 sec·MS 7
Toward MS 7 North: Oxford
8
Continue on MS 7
8.4 mi·11 min·MS 7
Toward MS 7 North: Oxford
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward MS 30: New Albany
10
Turn right onto MS 30
30 mi·44 min·Mississippi Highway 30
11
Continue on Highway 30 West
0.4 mi·44 sec·Highway 30 West
12
At end of road, turn right onto MS 178
0.9 mi·2 min·West Bankhead Street
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto Snider Street
104 ft·6 sec·Snider Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto Highland Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·Highland Street
15
Arrive at destination
Highland Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, consider leaving Brandon, MS in the morning to allow for a full afternoon upon arrival in New Albany. With just one recommended stop and a high highway share, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 116.5-mile stretch on I 55, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $31 is a good baseline for budgeting this trip.
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 102.3 miles from Brandon, MS, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.5 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 45 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.3 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Albany, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brandon, 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 Brandon, MS
This is one driving day of about 204.6 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Brandon, 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 55 for about 116.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.7 and 204.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
10.7 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: North Jackson, Grenada
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 55 North: North Jackson, Grenada
4
128.1 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|MS 7
Take the exit onto MS 7 toward MS 7 North: Coffeeville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward MS 7 North: Coffeeville
5
164.5 mi into trip|~3h 2m in|MS 7
Enter roundabout onto MS 7 toward MS 7 North: Oxford
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward MS 7 North: Oxford
6
203.5 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|MS 178 / West Bankhead Street
At end of road, turn right onto MS 178 / West Bankhead Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
204.4 mi into trip|~4h 1m in|Snider Street
Turn left onto Snider Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.85 one way
$63.70 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.11
$70.22
premium
$4.71
$37.95
$75.90
diesel
$6.18
$49.77
$99.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.4
0
$21.48
$9.82
Efficient EV
51.2
0
$17.90
$8.18
EV Truck/SUV
81.8
1
$28.64
$13.09
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Forecast as of Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Brandon, MS
Morning
in Brandon on Monday
Local time
8:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
New Albany, MS
Morning
in New Albany on Monday
Local time
8:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
ESE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
82°F
Grenada, MS
102 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
3 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
4h 2m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 204.6
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
23 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 204.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely on highways, with a 98% highway share. You'll experience a significant stretch of 116.5 miles on I 55, indicating a long period of consistent highway cruising. The transition to surface roads, MS 7 and Mississippi Highway 30, happens later in the drive. Expect to notice the dense network of exits and entrances common on major interstates for most of your travel time.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and MS 7. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.7 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 204.6 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.1 miles (MS 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 164.5 miles (MS 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
504 ft203 ft
Total Climb
485 ft
Total Descent
595 ft
Highest Point
504 ft
~175.4 mi in
Elevation Range
301 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Brandon, MS to New Albany, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Grenada along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 2m. Total distance: 204.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.5 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.1 miles (MS 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 164.5 miles (MS 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and Tupelo National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at New Albany, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
