Parking area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Carriere, MS to Starkville, MS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 38m
Distance
243.9 mi
392 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 25m
★
6 AM
4h 39m
8 AM
5h 6m
10 AM
4h 48m
12 PM
4h 46m
3 PM
4h 50m
5 PM
5h 4m
8 PM
4h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carriere, MS
大 董
Starkville, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Carriere, MS to Starkville, MS is 243.9 miles and takes about 4h 38m via I 59 and US 45, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Mississippi, covering ground in the Southeast region. You'll be on the highway for nearly the entire trip, making it a straightforward and efficient transit. With only one recommended stop and a predictable route, this is a solid option for a same-day trip if you're looking to cover distance without much fuss.
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
121.9 miles from Carriere, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 145.8 mi | 2h 37m |
| US 45 | 65.1 mi | 1h 14m |
| US Highway 45 Alternate | 18.5 mi | 21m |
| West Union Road | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| MS 182 | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| MS 12 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Victory Lane | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Eckford Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 145.8 mi, about 2h 37m
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 Carriere, MS and Starkville, MS.
1
Start on Railroad Street
511 ft
·
20 sec
·
Railroad Street
2
Turn right onto West Union Road
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
West Union Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
4
Merge onto I 59
137 mi
·
2 hr 27 min
·
I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
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.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 45 North: Macon
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto US 45
65 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
8
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.
9
Take the exit
6.6 mi
·
7 min
Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward MS 182 West: Starkville
11
Continue on MS 182
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
MS 182
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward MS 12 West: Ackerman
Use the left lane.
13
Turn straight onto MS 12
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
MS 12
14
Turn slight left
78 ft
·
5 sec
15
Turn left onto Eckford Drive
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Eckford Drive
16
Continue on Victory Lane
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Victory Lane
17
Turn right
214 ft
·
17 sec
18
Turn right
290 ft
·
21 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure to ensure you have plenty of daylight for the entire trip. The route has only one recommended stop, so you can decide if you prefer to push through or take a break midway. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach Starkville; the longest stretch without a major town is 145.8 miles on I 59, so plan your refueling accordingly. Given the relatively short duration, you have flexibility in your timing, but a prompt start will give you more time upon arrival.
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 121.9 miles from Carriere, MS, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.8 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 54 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.9 miles or 2h 15m 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 43m
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 Carriere, 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 Carriere, MS
This is one driving day of about 243.9 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Carriere, 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 145.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 121.9 miles from Carriere, 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 145.8 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 2.7 and 241.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~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
139.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m 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
148.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m 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
213.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m 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
241.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 33m 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
$33.86 one way
$67.72 round trip
$3.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.95 | $37.88 | $75.76 |
| premium | $4.29 | $41.18 | $82.37 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $46.05 | $92.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.2 | 0 | $25.61 | $11.71 |
| Efficient EV | 61 | 0 | $21.34 | $9.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.6 | 1 | $34.15 | $15.61 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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
Carriere, MS
Night in Carriere on Saturday
Local time
9:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph
7% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Starkville, MS
Night in Starkville on Saturday
Local time
9:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
NW 0 to 5 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
95°F
Meridian, MS
122 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
1 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 38m 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?
You'll spend about 96% of your time on the highway, a significant portion of which involves cruising on I 59 for a continuous stretch of 145.8 miles. The transition to US Highway 45 Alternate means you'll likely notice a change in the exit density and possibly a shift in the surrounding landscape as you move away from the interstate. Expect a mostly highway driving experience until the final segment of your trip.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145.8 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 2.7 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 243.9 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 2.7 miles (I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.6 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
383 ft
172 ft
Total Climb
586 ft
Total Descent
426 ft
Highest Point
383 ft
~156.8 mi in
Elevation Range
211 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 Carriere, MS and Starkville, MS, road signs point toward Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
Tuscaloosa
139.6 mi in
|
~2h 34m
|
via I 59
Tupelo
213.9 mi in
|
~3h 59m
|
via US 45 ALT
About the Cities
Starting in Carriere, MS
Full guide →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 4h 38m. Total distance: 243.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 145.8 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 2.7 miles (I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.6 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Starkville, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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