Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Columbia, MS to Southaven, MS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 31m
Distance
279 mi
449 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 18m
★
6 AM
5h 31m
8 AM
5h 58m
10 AM
5h 40m
12 PM
5h 38m
3 PM
5h 42m
5 PM
5h 57m
8 PM
5h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Southaven, MS
大 董
Trip Overview
Columbia, MS to Southaven, MS is 279 miles and takes about 5h 31m via I 55 and MS 13, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traversing the Southeast region. With nearly all highway driving, you'll find it's a pretty straightforward shot north. It's a manageable distance for a single day, making it a convenient option if you're looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
139.5 miles from Columbia, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 195.7 mi | 3h 31m |
| MS 13 | 50.2 mi | 1h 14m |
| US 49 | 29.1 mi | 36m |
| Main Street | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Stateline Road West | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Millbranch Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Haleville Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 2nd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 195.7 mi, about 3h 31m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 114 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,443 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~141 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
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 Columbia, MS and Southaven, MS.
1
Start on Pittman Street
51 ft
·
2 sec
·
Pittman Street
2
Turn left onto 2nd Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
2nd Street
3
Turn left onto Main Street
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
4
Continue on MS 13
22 mi
·
32 min
·
MS 13
5
Turn slight right onto MS 13; MS 184
28 mi
·
42 min
·
MS 13; MS 184
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
7
Merge onto US 49
27 mi
·
33 min
·
US 49
8
Take the exit onto US 49
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
US 49
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 49
Toward Jackson
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 49
11
Merge onto I 55
196 mi
·
3 hr 31 min
·
I 55
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake
13
Turn left onto Stateline Road West
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Stateline Road West
14
Turn left onto Millbranch Road
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Millbranch Road
15
Turn right onto Haleville Drive
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
Haleville Drive
16
Turn left onto Five Oaks Drive North
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Five Oaks Drive North
17
Arrive at destination
Five Oaks Drive West
Trip Plan
Given the 5.5-hour duration, leaving in the morning from Columbia, MS, will allow you to reach Southaven, MS, with plenty of daylight to spare. While the drive is manageable in one day, you can split it if you prefer a more relaxed pace; however, with only one recommended stop, it's designed for efficiency. Since you'll be on I 55 for a significant portion, be mindful of typical interstate traffic patterns, especially near any larger towns or cities you pass. The fuel cost estimate is around $41, so factor that into your budget.
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 139.5 miles from Columbia, MS, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195.7 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 61 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.5 miles or 2h 57m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southaven, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Columbia, 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 Columbia, MS
This is one driving day of about 279 miles and 5h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Columbia, 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 195.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.5 miles from Columbia, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 195.7 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Doughboys
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 278.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
2nd Street
Turn left onto 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
4
52.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
80.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
|
US 49
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49 toward Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Jackson
5
277.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 27m in
Take the exit toward Southaven, Horn Lake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake
5
278.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 30m in
|
Five Oaks Drive North
Turn left onto Five Oaks Drive North
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.73 one way
$77.46 round trip
$3.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.95 | $43.33 | $86.67 |
| premium | $4.29 | $47.11 | $94.22 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $52.68 | $105.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.7 | 1 | $29.30 | $13.39 |
| Efficient EV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.41 | $11.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.6 | 1 | $39.06 | $17.86 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Columbia, MS
Late night in Columbia on Monday
Local time
1:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Southaven, MS
Late night in Southaven on Monday
Local time
1:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 5 to 10 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
93°F
Madison, MS
140 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 31m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 86.6
View on nps.gov
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...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 211.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with a 99% highway share, so expect to be on high-speed roads for the bulk of your travel. You'll encounter a very long stretch of 195.7 miles on I 55. The transition to surface roads, if any, will be minimal. Keep an eye out for frequent exits as you navigate the interstate system.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 195.7 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 13. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 2nd Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 279 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 52.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 80.4 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
514 ft
148 ft
Total Climb
794 ft
Total Descent
630 ft
Highest Point
514 ft
~39.9 mi in
Elevation Range
367 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.
On the drive from Columbia, MS to Southaven, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Jackson
80.4 mi in
|
~1h 53m
|
via US 49
About the Cities
Starting in Columbia, MS
Full guide →Arriving in Southaven, MS
Full guide →Founded 1980
Southaven is a city in Mississippi. Known as the "Top of Mississippi," the city is the gateway to the Mississippi Delta and minutes from Memphis.
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 31m. Total distance: 279 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 195.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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.
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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 52.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 80.4 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Southaven, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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