This 197.8-mile drive from Saltillo, MS to Jackson, MS is a manageable 3-hour and 12-minute journey, making it an ideal day trip. You'll navigate primarily using local roads, including North 3rd Avenue and Highway 45, with no interstate driving involved. Budget around $30 for fuel for this trip. Given its relatively short duration and local road nature, this route offers a relaxed pace and a chance to experience the heart of Mississippi. It's a straightforward drive within the Southeast region, connecting two points in the same 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
102.5 miles from Saltillo, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 25
136.8 mi
2h 38m
US Highway 45 Alternate
35.7 mi
43m
US 45
19.9 mi
23m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
North State Street
2.4 mi
3m
North 3rd Avenue
1.2 mi
3m
MS 145
1.2 mi
2m
East Pearl Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
MS 25
— 136.8 mi, about 2h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saltillo, MS and Jackson, MS.
1
Start on MS 363
500 ft·12 sec·East Mobile Street
2
Turn right onto MS 766
1.2 mi·3 min·North 3rd Avenue
3
Turn sharp left onto MS 145
1.2 mi·2 min·MS 145
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Tupelo
5
Merge onto US 45
20 mi·23 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
7
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
8
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
9
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
10
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
11
Continue on US 45 ALT
36 mi·43 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto MS 25
12 mi·13 min·MS 25
Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville
13
Take the exit onto MS 25
5.0 mi·6 min·MS 25
Toward MS 25 South: Louisville
14
Continue on MS 25
1.9 mi·2 min·MS 25
Use the left lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
25 mi·28 min·MS 25
16
Take the exit onto MS 25
93 mi·1 hr 47 min·MS 25
17
At end of road, turn left onto Old Canton Road
0.2 mi·20 sec·Old Canton Road
18
Turn straight onto US 51
2.4 mi·3 min·North State Street
19
Turn right onto East Pearl Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Pearl Street
20
Arrive at destination
East Pearl Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 12-minute drive, starting in the morning is a good strategy to allow for flexibility. With only one suggested stop and a fuel cost of approximately $30, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Pay close attention to navigation, as the 'turn-heavy' nature means you'll be making frequent adjustments. Consider topping off your fuel tank before leaving Saltillo, MS, as you'll be on local roads for the entire 197.8 miles and might encounter fewer large service stations than on an interstate route.
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 102.5 miles from Saltillo, MS, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.8 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 45 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.5 miles or 2h 5m 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 20m
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 Saltillo, 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 Saltillo, MS
This is one driving day of about 205.1 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Saltillo, 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 25 for about 136.8 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 77.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|MS 766 / North 3rd Avenue
Turn right onto MS 766 / North 3rd Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|MS 145
Turn sharp left onto MS 145
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
2.8 mi into trip|~6m in|US 45
Merge onto US 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
65.5 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|MS 25
Take the exit onto MS 25 toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Sta...
4
77.3 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|MS 25
Take the exit onto MS 25 toward MS 25 South: Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward MS 25 South: Louisville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.47 one way
$56.94 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$31.86
$63.71
premium
$4.29
$34.63
$69.27
diesel
$4.80
$38.73
$77.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.5
0
$21.54
$9.84
Efficient EV
51.3
0
$17.95
$8.20
EV Truck/SUV
82
1
$28.71
$13.13
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Saltillo, MS
Late night
in Saltillo on Sunday
Local time
3:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 8:15PM CDT until July 19 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Jackson, MS
Late night
in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
3:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 8:15PM CDT until July 19 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
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
2 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 4m 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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 7.1
Park Closure: Partial Closure of Rocky Springs Trail
Park Closure: Temporary Blackland Prairie Trail Closure to Equestrians
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 205.1
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...
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 for most of this 197.8-mile route. With a highway share of 0%, you'll be on a mix of smaller state and county roads, which means more frequent turns and varied speed limits. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests you'll be actively navigating rather than cruising on a straight highway. This type of driving can be engaging, offering a more intimate feel of the landscape as you pass through towns and rural areas.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.8 mi on MS 25.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 25 and US Highway 45 Alternate. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near MS 766 / North 3rd Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 205.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MS 766 / North 3rd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (MS 145): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.8 miles (US 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Jackson is the capital of the state of Mississippi. While it may not offer much in terms of tourism today, Jackson can be used as a stopover for getting to other parts of the state or further.
Top landmarks
•Mississippi State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Mississippi
•Union Station — train station in Jackson, Mississippi
•Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument — national monument in Jackson, Mississippi, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 205.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m 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 136.8 miles on MS 25. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MS 766 / North 3rd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (MS 145): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.8 miles (US 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail, Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Tupelo National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Jackson, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
