Hickory Hills, MS to Tupelo, MS is 297.5 miles and takes about 5h 51m via US 45, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Mississippi, connecting two points in the Southeast region. With 92% of the route on highways, you'll find it to be a relatively straightforward trip, largely on major roadways. Plan for a single day of travel; it's a manageable distance for a focused drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
148.7 miles from Hickory Hills, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 45
137.2 mi
2h 38m
US Highway 45 Alternate
53 mi
1h 3m
MS 63
51.3 mi
58m
MS 57
24.2 mi
27m
Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi
20m
I 10
7.2 mi
7m
West Frontage Road
1.6 mi
3m
Martin Bluff Road
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 45
— 137.2 mi, about 2h 38m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,193 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,700
Quietest
2 AM
~256 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Hickory Hills, MS and Tupelo, MS.
1
Start on Broadmoor Drive
310 ft·14 sec·Broadmoor Drive
2
Turn right onto Martin Bluff Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Martin Bluff Road
3
Turn right onto West Frontage Road
1.6 mi·3 min·West Frontage Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto Gautier Vancleave Road
0.3 mi·42 sec·Gautier Vancleave Road
5
Turn left
0.2 mi·30 sec
6
Merge onto I 10
7.2 mi·7 min·I 10
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward MS 63: East Moss Point, East Pascagoula
8
Keep slight left at fork
235 ft·10 sec
9
Turn left onto MS 63
51 mi·58 min·MS 63
10
Continue on MS 57
22 mi·24 min·MS 57
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on MS 57
2.3 mi·2 min·MS 57
Use the straight lane.
12
Merge onto US 45
16 mi·19 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 45
0.9 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 45
6.1 mi·7 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 45
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 45
1.7 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 45
1.8 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 45
6.3 mi·7 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 45
5.6 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 45
3.5 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 45
4.7 mi·5 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 45
5.3 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 45
3.7 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 45
1.3 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 45
79 mi·1 hr 30 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, TupeloUse the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi·20 min·Martin Luther King Drive
28
Continue on US 45; MS 6
1.5 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
29
Take the exit onto MS 6
0.4 mi·49 sec·MS 6
Toward MS 6 East: Downtown Tupelo
30
Keep slight left at fork
170 ft·7 sec
31
Turn left onto MS 6
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right onto North Spring Street
230 ft·10 sec·North Spring Street
33
Arrive at destination
North Spring Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 51m estimated duration, leaving Hickory Hills in the morning should allow you to reach Tupelo well before evening. The route is primarily highway, so you can maintain a consistent speed. You'll encounter one recommended stop, which would be a good point to refuel and stretch your legs. The longest continuous stretch is 137.2 miles on US 45, so consider topping off your tank before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimate of $43, it's a budget-friendly trip.
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 148.7 miles from Hickory Hills, MS, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.2 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 65 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.7 miles or 2h 56m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tupelo, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hickory Hills, 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 Hickory Hills, MS
This is one driving day of about 297.5 miles and 5h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Hickory Hills, 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 45 for about 137.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 223.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
3.5 mi into trip|~8m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
10.9 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward MS 63: East Moss Point, East Pascagoula
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 63: East Moss Point, East Pascagoula
5
11.1 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
86.6 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|US 45
Merge onto US 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
223.8 mi into trip|~4h 22m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.68 one way
$91.36 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$51.04
$102.09
premium
$4.75
$55.65
$111.29
diesel
$5.88
$68.92
$137.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.3
1
$31.24
$14.28
Efficient EV
74.4
0
$26.03
$11.90
EV Truck/SUV
119
1
$41.65
$19.04
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Forecast as of Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Hickory Hills, MS
Evening
in Hickory Hills on Sunday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Clear
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tupelo, MS
Evening
in Tupelo on Sunday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
NNE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
49°F
Meridian, MS
149 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
8 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
5h 51m 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.
Tupelo National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 297.5
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 297.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The majority of this drive, 92%, is on highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on US 45 and US Highway 45 Alternate. You'll encounter a long stretch of 137.2 miles on US 45 without significant interruptions. The route transitions to MS 63 for the final part of the journey. Expect a steady pace on the highway sections, with fewer exits compared to more urban environments.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 137.2 mi on US 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 45 and US Highway 45 Alternate. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 297.5 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 3.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 10.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 51m. Total distance: 297.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 137.2 miles on US 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Tupelo, 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 10.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Tupelo National Battlefield and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tupelo, MS before the return drive.
