Southaven, MS to Hillsboro, MS is 187.1 miles and takes about 3h 54m via I 55 and MS 35, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a drive that is primarily on highways, making it a straightforward journey for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Given the relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
93.6 miles from Southaven, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
115.8 mi
2h 4m
Veterans Memorial Drive
42.1 mi
1h 2m
MS 35
24.3 mi
36m
Old Jackson Road
1.7 mi
4m
South Huntington Street
1.4 mi
2m
Stateline Road West
0.3 mi
<1m
Millbranch Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Haleville Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 115.8 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southaven, MS and Hillsboro, MS.
1
Start on Five Oaks Drive West
0.1 mi·30 sec·Five Oaks Drive West
2
Turn right onto Haleville Drive
0.2 mi·53 sec·Haleville Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto Millbranch Road
0.2 mi·38 sec·Millbranch Road
4
Turn right onto Stateline Road West
0.3 mi·29 sec·Stateline Road West
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
6
Merge onto I 55; I 69
116 mi·2 hr 4 min·I 55; I 69
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
8
Turn left onto MS 35; MS 430
24 mi·36 min·MS 35; MS 430
9
Turn left onto East Jefferson Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·East Jefferson Street
10
Turn right onto South Huntington Street
1.4 mi·2 min·South Huntington Street
11
Turn right onto MS 19; MS 35
42 mi·1 hr 2 min·Veterans Memorial Drive
12
Turn right onto Old Jackson Road
1.7 mi·4 min·Old Jackson Road
13
Turn right onto Hillsboro-Ludlow Road
423 ft·18 sec·Hillsboro-Ludlow Road
14
Arrive at destination
Hillsboro-Ludlow Road
Trip Plan
With a drive time under four hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid any potential evening traffic. You'll encounter one recommended stop, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs or refuel, especially given the longest stretch on I 55 is over 115 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $28, and it's always wise to fill up before hitting longer highway segments. Since the drive is relatively short, you have flexibility in your timing.
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 93.6 miles from Southaven, MS, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.8 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 41 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.6 miles or 1h 42m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hillsboro, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 187.1 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Southaven, 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 I 55 for about 115.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 141.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Haleville Drive
Turn right onto Haleville Drive
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Millbranch Road
At end of road, turn left onto Millbranch Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
4
0.6 mi into trip|~2m in|Stateline Road West
Turn right onto Stateline Road West
Navigation decision point
4
117.4 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|MS 35; MS 430
Turn left onto MS 35; MS 430
Navigation decision point
4
141.8 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|South Huntington Street
Turn right onto South Huntington Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.26 one way
$56.51 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$31.02
$62.04
premium
$4.56
$33.58
$67.16
diesel
$5.61
$41.31
$82.62
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: 65.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.1
0
$19.65
$8.98
Efficient EV
46.8
0
$16.37
$7.48
EV Truck/SUV
74.8
0
$26.19
$11.97
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Southaven, MS
Late night
in Southaven on Tuesday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hillsboro, MS
Late night
in Hillsboro on Tuesday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Winona, MS
94 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
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 54m 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.
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
National Monument
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 64.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely highway-focused, with about 75% of the drive taking place on major roads like I 55. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 115.8 miles on I 55, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of your travel. While the majority of the journey is on faster highways, you will transition to Veterans Memorial Drive and MS 35, which may offer a slightly different driving experience as you approach Hillsboro. The profile suggests a drive where efficiency is key, minimizing time spent on slower local roads.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.8 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Veterans Memorial Drive. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Haleville Drive.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Southaven, MS to Hillsboro, MS is easy. At 3h 54m with 75% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 0.6 miles (Stateline Road West): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 187.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 115.8 miles on I 55. 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.
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 (Haleville Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Millbranch Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.6 miles (Stateline Road West): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Hillsboro, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
