Clarksdale, MS to Madison, MS is 141.9 miles and takes about 3h 20m via US 49E and I-55, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Mississippi, moving you from the Delta region into the central part of the state. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, so expect a relatively efficient transit time. Plan for this to be a practical commute rather than an adventure through varied landscapes.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
71 miles from Clarksdale, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49E
64.9 mi
1h 37m
I 55
34.8 mi
37m
MS 17
12.7 mi
18m
MS 12
11.2 mi
16m
US 49
10.7 mi
15m
MS 322
4.4 mi
7m
Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Yazoo Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 49E
— 64.9 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksdale, MS and Madison, MS.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·50 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto 4th Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·4th Street
3
Turn right onto Desoto Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Desoto Avenue
4
Continue on MS 322
4.4 mi·7 min·MS 322
5
Continue on US 49
11 mi·15 min·US 49
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49E
41 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 49E
7
Take the exit onto US 49E
24 mi·35 min·US 49E
8
Continue on MS 12
11 mi·16 min·MS 12
9
Turn slight right onto MS 12; MS 17
489 ft·8 sec·MS 12; MS 17
10
Turn right onto MS 17
0.4 mi·42 sec·Yazoo Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on MS 17
13 mi·18 min·MS 17
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
13
Merge onto I 55
35 mi·37 min·I 55
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward MS 463: Madison
15
Keep slight left at fork
357 ft·11 sec
16
Turn left onto MS 463
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
17
Turn slight right
168 ft·7 sec
18
Turn right onto Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
19
Turn left onto Depot Drive
36 ft·1 sec·Depot Drive
20
Arrive at destination
Depot Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 20m estimated drive time and 141.9 miles, this is easily a same-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unforeseen traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops, though it's always wise to top off before leaving Clarksdale. The longest stretch on US 49E is nearly 65 miles, so ensure you have entertainment or a good playlist ready for that portion.
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 71 miles from Clarksdale, MS, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.9 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 31 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clarksdale, 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 Clarksdale, MS
This is one driving day of about 141.9 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Clarksdale, 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 US 49E for about 64.9 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 140.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|4th Street
Turn left onto 4th Street
Navigation decision point
4
15.9 mi into trip|~25m in|US 49E
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49E
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
92 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|MS 17 / Yazoo Street
Turn right onto MS 17 / Yazoo Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
140.2 mi into trip|~3h 16m in
Take the exit toward MS 463: Madison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward MS 463: Madison
4
140.6 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.43 one way
$42.86 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$23.53
$47.05
premium
$4.56
$25.47
$50.94
diesel
$5.61
$31.33
$62.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.6
0
$14.90
$6.81
Efficient EV
35.5
0
$12.42
$5.68
EV Truck/SUV
56.8
0
$19.87
$9.08
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Clarksdale, MS
Late night
in Clarksdale on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Madison, MS
Late night
in Madison on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Moorhead, MS
71 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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 20m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
National Monument
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley...
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 141.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 98% of your miles on major roads like US 49E and I-55. You'll experience long stretches of efficient driving, including one segment of 64.9 miles primarily on US 49E. The character of the drive is consistent, prioritizing speed and directness over scenic detours. Expect a smooth, predictable experience as you navigate these well-maintained highways for the majority of your trip.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.9 mi on US 49E.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49E and I 55. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 4th Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 20m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.9 miles (US 49E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 92 miles (MS 17 / Yazoo Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 141.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 64.9 miles on US 49E. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 0.1 miles (4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.9 miles (US 49E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 92 miles (MS 17 / Yazoo Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument and Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Madison, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
