Greenwood, MS to Ridgeland, MS is 217.4 miles and takes about 4h 15m via MS 7 and I 22, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region and entirely within Mississippi. With 98% of the drive on highways, it’s a straightforward route. Plan for a single day of driving to cover this distance comfortably, with most of your time spent on interstates.
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
108.7 miles from Greenwood, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 7
143.9 mi
2h 38m
Pontotoc Parkway West
29.8 mi
34m
I 22
16.8 mi
18m
MS 9
9.8 mi
11m
MS 178
4.8 mi
6m
I 55
4.4 mi
4m
Dorsey Evergreen Road
2.9 mi
11m
US 278
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
MS 7
— 143.9 mi, about 2h 38m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~967 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,291
Quietest
2 AM
~94 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.3×
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 Greenwood, MS and Ridgeland, MS.
1
Start on Greenwood Hopewell Road
145 ft·7 sec·Greenwood Hopewell Road
2
Turn left onto Dorsey Evergreen Road
428 ft·18 sec·Dorsey Evergreen Road
3
Keep slight right at fork onto Dorsey Evergreen Road
2.4 mi·9 min·Dorsey Evergreen Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto Bankhead Road Southwest
0.1 mi·26 sec·Bankhead Road Southwest
5
Turn left onto Dorsey Evergreen Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Dorsey Evergreen Road
6
Turn left onto MS 178
4.8 mi·6 min·MS 178
7
Turn right onto MS 371
0.9 mi·1 min·MS 371
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
9
Merge onto I 22; US 78
17 mi·18 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
4.4 mi·4 min·I 55
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Ridgeland
26
Continue on I-55 South Frontage Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·I-55 South Frontage Road
27
Turn left onto Old Agency Road
0.3 mi·32 sec·Old Agency Road
28
Continue on Sunnybrook Road
511 ft·10 sec·Sunnybrook Road
29
Continue on West Jackson Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·West Jackson Street
30
Turn right onto Old Town Crossing
41 ft·1 sec·Old Town Crossing
31
Arrive at destination
Old Town Crossing
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 15m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Ridgeland. The $31 fuel cost is a reasonable estimate for this 217.4-mile drive. You'll have a single longest stretch of 143.9 miles on MS 7, so consider a brief stop before or after this segment to stretch your legs. With only one recommended day of travel, you have the flexibility to depart later or make an unplanned stop if needed.
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 108.7 miles from Greenwood, MS, or about 2h 17m 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 48 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.7 miles or 2h 17m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ridgeland, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Greenwood, 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 Greenwood, MS
This is one driving day of about 217.4 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Greenwood, 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 25.9 and 67.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
25.9 mi into trip|~38m 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
26.2 mi into trip|~39m in|MS 9
Turn left onto MS 9
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
36 mi into trip|~51m 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
67.6 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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
5
67.8 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.28 one way
$66.56 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$36.86
$73.71
premium
$4.65
$39.79
$79.58
diesel
$6.28
$53.72
$107.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.2
0
$22.83
$10.44
Efficient EV
54.4
0
$19.02
$8.70
EV Truck/SUV
87
1
$30.44
$13.91
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Greenwood, MS
Morning
in Greenwood on Friday
Local time
6:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ridgeland, MS
Morning
in Ridgeland on Friday
Local time
6:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
47°F
Oxford, MS
109 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 15m 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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 15
Park Closure: Partial Closure of Rocky Springs Trail
Park Closure: Yockanookany Trail Section Closed 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...
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 217.4
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 highway driving, with 98% of the 217.4 miles on major roads like MS 7 and I 22. You'll encounter a long stretch of 143.9 miles on MS 7, which offers a more continuous cruising experience before merging onto interstate sections. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you transition between these highway systems.
98% 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 7 and Pontotoc Parkway West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.9 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 217.4 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 25.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.2 miles (MS 9): Lane positioning matters here; at 36 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
478 ft222 ft
Total Climb
492 ft
Total Descent
453 ft
Highest Point
478 ft
~31.1 mi in
Elevation Range
256 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Greenwood, MS and Ridgeland, MS, road signs point toward Pontotoc, University Of Mississippi and Water Valley.
Greenwood is a city in Mississippi, located at the junction of the rivers Tallahatchie and Yalobusha, from whereon after it's called the Yalobusha. It's known for its extensive cotton production and remembered as one of the centres of conflict during the Civil Rights era.
Top landmarks
•Wesley Memorial Methodist Episcopal — church building in Greenwood, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 217.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m 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 143.9 miles on MS 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Ridgeland, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 25.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.2 miles (MS 9): Lane positioning matters here; at 36 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Ridgeland, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
