Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 4m
Distance
305.1 mi
491 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Southaven, MS
大 董
Belmont, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Southaven, MS to Belmont, MS is 305.1 miles and takes about 6h 4m via US 45 and US 78, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a highway-focused drive that's efficient for getting you from point A to point B. Given the 6-hour duration and comfortable fuel cost, it's a solid choice for a single-day journey if you're looking to cover ground without excessive stops.
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
152.6 miles from Southaven, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 45 | 83.7 mi | 1h 37m |
| US 78 | 83.4 mi | 1h 29m |
| US Highway 45 Aiternate | 60.6 mi | 1h 9m |
| US Highway 45 Alternate | 54.7 mi | 1h 6m |
| Goodman Road West | 8.3 mi | 12m |
| US 45 ALT | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| Buckatunna Millry Road | 3.4 mi | 13m |
| I 55 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Southaven, MS and Belmont, MS.
Start on Five Oaks Drive West
Turn right onto Haleville Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Millbranch Road
Turn right onto Stateline Road West
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 55; I 69
Take the exit
At end of road, turn left onto MS 302
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 78
Take the exit
Merge onto US 45
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Continue on US 45
Continue on US 45
Continue on US 45
Continue on US 45
Continue on US 45
Continue on US 45
Continue on US 45
Continue on US 45
Continue on US 45
Continue on US 45
Continue on US 45
Take the exit
Continue on Buckatunna Mount Zion Road
Turn right onto Buckatunna Millry Road
Continue on Buckatunna Millry Road
Arrive at destination
Aim to depart Southaven in the morning to maximize daylight and comfortably complete the 6-hour drive to Belmont. Since this is a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your schedule. Plan for one main stop along the way to stretch your legs and refuel; the longest stretch without a break is 83.7 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on longer segments on US 45. The straightforward nature of the main roads means you can focus on enjoying the drive.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 67 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.6 miles or 2h 58m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belmont, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Southaven, 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 Southaven, MS
This is one driving day of about 305.1 miles and 6h 4m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
153 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.
A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 152.6 miles from Southaven, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 231.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Haleville Drive
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto Millbranch Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Take the exit toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
At end of road, turn left onto MS 302 / Goodman Road West
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$46.08 one way
$92.15 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $50.58 | $101.16 |
| premium | $4.56 | $54.76 | $109.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $67.36 | $134.72 |
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: 106.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91.5 | 1 | $32.04 | $14.64 |
| Efficient EV | 76.3 | 0 | $26.70 | $12.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 122 | 1 | $42.71 | $19.53 |
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Southaven on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Evening in Belmont on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
78°F
Columbus, MS
153 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This drive is primarily a highway experience, with 95% of the route utilizing major roads like US 45 and US 78. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 83.7 miles on US 45, offering a consistent pace. The profile suggests a focus on efficient travel rather than winding backroads. Expect a straightforward journey where the main roads dictate the rhythm of your drive, making it predictable and easy to navigate.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 45 and US 78. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Haleville Drive.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 305.1 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 0.1 miles (Haleville Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Millbranch Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 4m. Total distance: 305.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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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