Traveling from Corinth to Madison covers 245.2 miles across the heart of Mississippi. Expect a drive time of approximately 4 hours and 41 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via MS 7, US 45, and the Pontotoc Parkway West. Budgeting roughly $37 for fuel should keep your tank full for the duration of the journey. Since the entire trip takes place within the Southeast, you can anticipate consistent regional driving conditions throughout. It is straightforward enough that you won't need to worry about an overnight split, allowing you to reach your destination well before evening.
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
122.6 miles from Corinth, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 7
143.9 mi
2h 38m
US 45
43.5 mi
50m
Pontotoc Parkway West
29.8 mi
34m
MS 9
9.8 mi
11m
I 22
8.9 mi
9m
South Tate Street
3 mi
5m
I 55
1.6 mi
1m
Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
MS 7
— 143.9 mi, about 2h 38m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~951 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,189
Quietest
2 AM
~94 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Corinth, MS and Madison, MS.
1
Start on this road
446 ft·34 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto North Fillmore Street
510 ft·12 sec·North Fillmore Street
3
Turn right onto South Tate Street
3.0 mi·5 min·South Tate Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto US 45
1.9 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 45
0.5 mi·31 sec·US 45
6
Continue on US 45
12 mi·14 min·US 45
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 45
29 mi·33 min·US 45
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 78:west: Memphis
9
Merge onto I 22; US 78
8.9 mi·9 min·I 22; US 78
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 76--Toward MS 9 South: Sherman, Pontotoc
11
Turn slight left
131 ft·10 sec
12
Turn left onto MS 9
9.8 mi·11 min·MS 9
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward US 278 West, MS 6 West: Oxford, University of MississippiUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto US 278; MS 6
5.4 mi·6 min·Pontotoc Parkway West
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278; MS 6
24 mi·28 min·Pontotoc Parkway West
16
Continue on MS 6; US 278
0.5 mi·35 sec·MS 6; US 278
17
Continue on US 278; MS 6
1.0 mi·1 min·US 278; MS 6
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward MS 7: Holly Springs, Water Valley
19
Keep slight left at fork
171 ft·7 sec
20
Merge onto MS 7
6.5 mi·8 min·MS 7
21
Enter roundabout onto MS 7
124 ft·1 sec·MS 7
Toward MS 7 South: Water Valley
22
Continue on MS 7
36 mi·41 min·MS 7
Toward MS 7 South: Water Valley
23
Take the exit onto MS 7
101 mi·1 hr 48 min·MS 7
24
Continue on I 55
1.6 mi·1 min·I 55
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward MS 463: Madison
26
Keep slight left at fork
357 ft·11 sec
27
Turn left onto MS 463
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
28
Turn slight right
168 ft·7 sec
29
Turn right onto Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
30
Turn left onto Depot Drive
36 ft·1 sec·Depot Drive
31
Arrive at destination
Depot Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 41-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the route is efficient and highway-heavy, leaving in the morning gives you plenty of flexibility to adjust your pace without the pressure of a tight schedule. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long 143.9-mile stretch on MS 7, as service opportunities may be spaced out. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of being able to choose your departure time based on traffic patterns near your destination. Utilizing the Pontotoc Parkway West as part of your navigation will help you maintain consistent momentum as you move toward Madison.
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 122.6 miles from Corinth, MS, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.9 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 54 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.6 miles or 2h 26m 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 52m
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 Corinth, 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 Corinth, MS
This is one driving day of about 245.2 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Corinth, 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 MS 7 for about 143.9 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 97.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|South Tate Street
Turn right onto South Tate Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
56 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward MS 9 South: Sherman, Pontotoc
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 76--
Toward MS 9 South: Sherman, Pontotoc
5
56.4 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|MS 9
Turn left onto MS 9
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
66.1 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward US 278 West, MS 6 West: Oxford, University of Mississippi
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 278 West, MS 6 West: Oxford, Universi...
5
97.8 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward MS 7: Holly Springs, Water Valley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 7: Holly Springs, Water Valley
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.69 one way
$75.37 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$41.68
$83.37
premium
$4.65
$44.86
$89.72
diesel
$5.35
$51.65
$103.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.6
0
$25.75
$11.77
Efficient EV
61.3
0
$21.46
$9.81
EV Truck/SUV
98.1
1
$34.33
$15.69
Gas CO2
86 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.
Forecast as of May 26, 2026
Origin
Corinth, MS
Afternoon
in Corinth on Wednesday
Local time
4:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 0 to 5 mph65% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 26 at 4:19AM CDT until May 26 at 7:05PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 26 at 2:48AM CDT until May 27 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Madison, MS
Afternoon
in Madison on Wednesday
Local time
4:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 0 to 10 mph67% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 26 at 4:19AM CDT until May 26 at 7:05PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 26 at 2:48AM CDT until May 27 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
72°F
Batesville, MS
123 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
4h 41m 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.
Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 42.3
Park Closure: Partial Closure of Rocky Springs Trail
Park Closure: Temporary Blackland Prairie Trail Closure to Equestrians
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 50.7
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 245.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 97% of your route dedicated to major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on MS 7, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 143.9 miles. Because the route relies so heavily on primary roads, the experience behind the wheel is consistent and predictable rather than winding or technical. You can expect a steady rhythm as you transition between these main arteries, providing a reliable pace for the duration of your trip. The drive offers a direct path through the state, minimizing the need for complex navigation or frequent lane changes.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 143.9 mi on MS 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 7 and US 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South Tate Street.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 245.2 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 0.2 miles (South Tate Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 56 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.4 miles (MS 9): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
504 ft258 ft
Total Climb
386 ft
Total Descent
492 ft
Highest Point
504 ft
~17.5 mi in
Elevation Range
245 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Corinth, MS and Madison, MS, road signs point toward Pontotoc, University Of Mississippi and Water Valley.
Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, is situated on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. As the anchor of the Greater Madison Area, it is home to the University of Wisconsin — Madison, one of the premier universities in the United States. It is a vibrant city known for its natural beauty, vibrant cultural scene, and academic excellence. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, biking, and exploring the city's many museums and art galleries. The city is also known for its diverse and delicious food options.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 245.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m 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 143.9 miles on MS 7. 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.
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 Madison, 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (South Tate Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 56 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.4 miles (MS 9): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail, Tupelo National Battlefield and Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Madison, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
