Traveling from Philadelphia to Jackson covers 80 miles across the heart of Mississippi. You should plan for a duration of approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively short distance, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $12 on fuel for the journey. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, the climate and general atmosphere remain consistent throughout your transit. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Mississippi hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40 miles from Philadelphia, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 25
44.6 mi
52m
MS 16
30.1 mi
44m
North State Street
2.4 mi
3m
West Beacon Street
1.4 mi
2m
MS 15
0.8 mi
1m
East Pearl Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Old Canton Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Front Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
MS 25
— 44.6 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, MS and Jackson, MS.
1
Start on Front Street
60 ft·9 sec·Front Street
2
Turn left onto MS 16; MS 19; MS 21
1.4 mi·2 min·West Beacon Street
3
Turn straight onto MS 15; MS 21
0.8 mi·1 min·MS 15; MS 21
4
Turn right onto MS 16
30 mi·44 min·MS 16
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
6
Merge onto MS 25
45 mi·52 min·MS 25
7
At end of road, turn left onto Old Canton Road
0.2 mi·20 sec·Old Canton Road
8
Turn straight onto US 51
2.4 mi·3 min·North State Street
9
Turn right onto East Pearl Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Pearl Street
10
Arrive at destination
East Pearl Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 1 hour and 46 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 80-mile distance in one go, as there are no mandated stops required to finish the trip comfortably. Since fuel costs are quite low at approximately $12, you might consider filling up before you leave Philadelphia to avoid searching for stations in heavier traffic near Jackson. Keep a close eye on your speed as you transition from the long MS 25 stretch into the local traffic patterns of North State Street. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to focus on a stress-free arrival at your final destination.
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 40 miles from Philadelphia, MS, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.6 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40 miles or 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 1h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Philadelphia, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Philadelphia, MS
This is one driving day of about 80 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Philadelphia, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MS 25 for about 44.6 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 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 79.8 — 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|MS 16; MS 19; MS 21 / West Beacon Street
Turn left onto MS 16; MS 19; MS 21 / West Beacon Street
Navigation decision point
3
2.2 mi into trip|~3m in|MS 16
Turn right onto MS 16
Navigation decision point
3
32.6 mi into trip|~49m in|MS 25
Merge onto MS 25
Merge point - match speed before joining
3
77.3 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|Old Canton Road
At end of road, turn left onto Old Canton Road
Navigation decision point
4
79.8 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|East Pearl Street
Turn right onto East Pearl Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.08 one way
$24.16 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$13.26
$26.53
premium
$4.56
$14.36
$28.72
diesel
$5.61
$17.66
$35.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24
0
$8.40
$3.84
Efficient EV
20
0
$7.00
$3.20
EV Truck/SUV
32
0
$11.20
$5.12
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Philadelphia, MS
Late night
in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jackson, MS
Late night
in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
23 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
1h 46m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive relies heavily on MS 25 and MS 16 to get you to your destination, with 94% of the trip spent on highways. You will experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 44.6 miles while cruising on MS 25, which defines the bulk of your time on the road. As you approach the capital, the route transitions onto North State Street, shifting from open highway pacing to a more urban driving environment. The road maintains a steady, consistent flow, making it ideal for those who prefer predictable asphalt over winding, technical backroads.
94% 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: 44.6 mi on MS 25.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 25 and MS 16. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 16; MS 19; MS 21 / West Beacon Street.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Philadelphia, MS to Jackson, MS is easy. At 1h 46m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 16; MS 19; MS 21 / West Beacon Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (MS 16): Navigation decision point; at 32.6 miles (MS 25): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 80 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 44.6 miles on MS 25. 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: near the start (MS 16; MS 19; MS 21 / West Beacon Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (MS 16): Navigation decision point; at 32.6 miles (MS 25): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. 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 Jackson, MS before heading back.
