Origin
Macon, MS
Late night in Macon on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Macon, MS to Tupelo, MS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
83.7 mi
135 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 34m
★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Macon, MS
大 董
Tupelo, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Macon, MS to Tupelo, MS is 83.7 miles and takes about 1h 42m via US Highway 45 Alternate and US Highway 45, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a fairly direct drive that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently. With a duration under two hours, this is an easy day trip, allowing for plenty of flexibility in your schedule. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained highways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.9 miles from Macon, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 45 Alternate | 53 mi | 1h 3m |
| Martin Luther King Drive | 18.1 mi | 20m |
| US Highway 45 | 9.2 mi | 11m |
| Martin Luther King, Junior Drive | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Adams Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| MS 6 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Spring Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 45 Alternate
— 53 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Macon, MS and Tupelo, MS.
1
Start on MS 14
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Adams Street
2
Turn left onto US 45
9.2 mi
·
11 min
·
US Highway 45
3
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, Tupelo
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Martin Luther King Drive
5
Continue on US 45; MS 6
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
6
Take the exit onto MS 6
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
MS 6
Toward MS 6 East: Downtown Tupelo
7
Keep slight left at fork
170 ft
·
7 sec
8
Turn left onto MS 6
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto North Spring Street
230 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Spring Street
10
Arrive at destination
North Spring Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just over an hour and a half, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid any early rush and allow for a relaxed start. With no specific stops recommended, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a town is 53 miles on US Highway 45 Alternate; it's wise to top off before embarking on that segment. The $13 fuel estimate suggests this is an economical trip.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.9 miles from Macon, MS, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.9 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 25m
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 Macon, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Macon, MS
This is one driving day of about 83.7 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Macon, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 45 Alternate for about 53 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.9 miles from Macon, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 55 decision points cluster between mile 10 and 83.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
10 mi into trip
|
~12m 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...
4
82.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
MS 6
Take the exit onto MS 6 toward MS 6 East: Downtown Tupelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward MS 6 East: Downtown Tupelo
4
83 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
83 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
MS 6 / East Main Street
Turn left onto MS 6 / East Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
83.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
North Spring Street
Turn right onto North Spring Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.64 one way
$25.28 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $13.88 | $27.75 |
| premium | $4.56 | $15.02 | $30.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.48 | $36.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.79 | $4.02 |
| Efficient EV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.32 | $3.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.72 | $5.36 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Tupelo, MS
Late night in Tupelo on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
18 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
1h 42m 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.
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 83.7
View on nps.gov
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 83.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 75% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience a 53-mile stretch on US Highway 45 Alternate, offering a good opportunity to settle into a steady pace. The route utilizes US Highway 45 Alternate and then transitions to US Highway 45 and Martin Luther King Drive as you approach Tupelo. While largely a straightforward highway experience, be aware of the shifts in road designation, particularly as you enter the Tupelo area. The profile suggests a drive that is more about covering ground than leisurely sightseeing.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53 mi on US Highway 45 Alternate.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 45 Alternate and Martin Luther King Drive. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 10 miles in near US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 42m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10 miles (US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.6 miles (MS 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 83 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Arriving in Tupelo, MS
Full guide →Tupelo is a city in Northeast Mississippi that is known best for being the birthplace of Elvis Presley.
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 1h 42m. Total distance: 83.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53 miles on US Highway 45 Alternate. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 10 miles (US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.6 miles (MS 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 83 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tupelo, MS before heading back.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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