Traveling from Port Gibson to Tupelo covers 266.9 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 11 minutes to complete. Because this journey stays entirely within Mississippi, it is easily manageable as a one-day trip, though you should prepare for a full day on the road. Budget roughly $36 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating this route requires you to transition through local roads like Church Street and Grenada before settling onto MS 25 North. While it is not a high-speed interstate haul, it serves as a straightforward connection between these two points for travelers looking to traverse the state.
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
133.4 miles from Port Gibson, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS Hwy 25
79.6 mi
1h 30m
MS 25
43.5 mi
50m
I 20
40.8 mi
45m
US Highway 45 Alternate
34.6 mi
42m
Church Street
30.6 mi
35m
Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi
20m
Lakeland Drive
12.3 mi
14m
I 55
4.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
MS Hwy 25
— 79.6 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port Gibson, MS and Tupelo, MS.
1
Start on Fair Street
0.1 mi·34 sec·Fair Street
2
Turn left onto US 61
31 mi·35 min·Church Street
3
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 80
40 mi·44 min·I 20; US 80
4
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.1 mi·1 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
4.2 mi·5 min·I 55
Toward Grenada, Memphis
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward MS 25 North: Carthage
7
Turn right onto MS 25
12 mi·14 min·Lakeland Drive
8
Continue on MS 25
80 mi·1 hr 30 min·MS Hwy 25
9
Take the exit onto MS 25
25 mi·29 min·MS 25
10
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
2.4 mi·2 min·MS 25
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on MS 25
3.8 mi·4 min·MS 25
12
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
12 mi·13 min·MS 25
Toward US 82 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West Point
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward US 45 Alternate North, MS 25 North: West Point, Tupelo
14
Merge onto US 45 ALT; MS 25
35 mi·42 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi·20 min·Martin Luther King Drive
16
Continue on US 45; MS 6
1.5 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
17
Take the exit onto MS 6
0.4 mi·49 sec·MS 6
Toward MS 6 East: Downtown Tupelo
18
Keep slight left at fork
170 ft·7 sec
19
Turn left onto MS 6
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto North Spring Street
230 ft·10 sec·North Spring Street
21
Arrive at destination
North Spring Street
Trip Plan
Aim to leave early in the morning to maximize daylight, as the technical nature of these local roads can feel more taxing after dark. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to plan your break based on your personal comfort, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge given the $36 estimated cost. Since you are navigating local routes rather than major interstates, prioritize following signage closely through small towns and intersections. A smart tip for this specific drive is to pre-map your turn-heavy segments on MS 25 North, as the lack of highway miles means you will be making more frequent navigation decisions than on a typical cross-country 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 133.4 miles from Port Gibson, MS, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.6 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 59 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.4 miles or 2h 33m 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 12m
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 Port Gibson, 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 Port Gibson, MS
This is one driving day of about 266.9 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Port Gibson, 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 Hwy 25 for about 79.6 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 71.6 and 211.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
71.6 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward Grenada, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Grenada, Memphis
6
192.8 mi into trip|~3h 41m in|MS 25
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
199 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|MS 25
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25 toward US 82 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West Point
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 82 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West...
5
211.3 mi into trip|~4h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 45 Alternate North, MS 25 North: West Point, Tupelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 45 Alternate North, MS 25 North: West...
5
211.6 mi into trip|~4h 3m in|US 45 ALT; MS 25 / US Highway 45 Alternate
Merge onto US 45 ALT; MS 25 / US Highway 45 Alternate
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.31 one way
$80.62 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$44.25
$88.50
premium
$4.56
$47.91
$95.81
diesel
$5.61
$58.93
$117.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.1
0
$28.02
$12.81
Efficient EV
66.7
0
$23.35
$10.68
EV Truck/SUV
106.8
1
$37.37
$17.08
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Port Gibson, MS
Night
in Port Gibson on Saturday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tupelo, MS
Night
in Tupelo on Saturday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°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
22 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
5h 11m 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 266.9
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...
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 266.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate a variety of local roads that demand your full attention, making the experience more engaging than a standard freeway cruise. Since the path relies on connectors like MS 25 North, you should anticipate frequent speed changes and a more hands-on driving experience. The character of the road shifts as you transition from the southern portion of the state toward the north, keeping the journey from feeling repetitive.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.6 mi on MS Hwy 25.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS Hwy 25 and MS 25. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 71.6 miles in near I 55.
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 266.9 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 71.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.8 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 199 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Port Gibson, MS and Tupelo, MS, road signs point toward Grenada, Memphis and Point.
Port Gibson is located in the western region of Mississippi. It is the county seat of Claiborne County and named for its founder, Samuel Gibson. It is located approximately 61.5 miles west of Mississippi's capitol city, Jackson.
Port Gibson is known as the city "too beautiful to burn", as proclaimed by U.S. Major General Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War, according to local legend.
Port Gibson is the third oldest city in Mississippi and was founded in 1802.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 266.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.6 miles on MS Hwy 25. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 71.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.8 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 199 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Tupelo National Battlefield, Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 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.
