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Trip from Southaven, MS to Morgantown, MS

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 37m

Distance

302.1 mi

486 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 24m ★
6 AM
5h 37m
8 AM
6h 4m
10 AM
5h 47m
12 PM
5h 44m
3 PM
5h 48m
5 PM
6h 3m
8 PM
5h 29m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Southaven, MS, MS

Southaven, MS

大 董

Downtown Morgantown, MS, MS

Morgantown, MS

大 董

Trip Overview

This 302.1-mile journey from Southaven, Mississippi, to Morgantown, Mississippi, will take you approximately 5 hours and 37 minutes of driving time. Designed as a highway-focused trip, nearly all of your 98% highway travel will occur on major routes like I-55, US-61, and I-20. With a fuel cost estimated around $46, this route is well-suited for a single day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, keeping your travel experience consistent geographically. The drive offers a straightforward way to cover ground efficiently within Mississippi.

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

151.1 miles from Southaven, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 185.9 mi 3h 19m
US 61 66 mi 1h 14m
I 20 32.8 mi 35m
Natchez Trace Parkway 6.4 mi 9m
I 220 5.9 mi 6m
Medgar Evers Boulevard 2 mi 2m
Morgantown Road 0.6 mi 1m
Stateline Road West 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 185.9 mi, about 3h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Southaven, MS and Morgantown, 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

186 mi · 3 hr 19 min · I 55; I 69
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 220 South: West Jackson
8

Continue on I 220

5.9 mi · 6 min · I 220
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward US 49 North: Yazoo City
10

Keep slight right at fork

301 ft · 8 sec
Toward US 49 North: Yazoo City
11

Merge onto US 49

2.0 mi · 2 min · Medgar Evers Boulevard
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward NTP
13

Turn right onto Natchez Trace Parkway

6.4 mi · 9 min · Natchez Trace Parkway
14

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward 20
15

Merge onto I 20; US 80

29 mi · 31 min · I 20; US 80
16

Merge onto I 20; US 61; US 80

3.8 mi · 4 min · I 20; US 61; US 80
17

Keep slight left at fork onto US 61

66 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US 61
Toward US 61 South: Natchez Use the slight left / straight lanes.
18

Turn right

0.2 mi · 36 sec
19

At end of road, turn right onto Morgantown Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Morgantown Road
20

Arrive at destination

Morgantown Road

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour and 37-minute duration, starting your drive from Southaven in the morning will allow you to arrive in Morgantown with ample time to spare. The single recommended stop suggests you can plan for one break to refuel or stretch your legs during the longest stretch of 185.9 miles on I-55. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that extended highway segment, as service areas may be spaced out. With a fuel cost estimated at $46, budgeting for this expense is straightforward for this one-day excursion.

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 151.1 miles from Southaven, MS, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.9 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 66 miles or 1h 12m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 151.1 miles or 2h 44m 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 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Morgantown, 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 302.1 miles and 5h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 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 185.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jackson, MS

151 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.

Popular next leg

Jackson, MS to Morgantown, MS

111.3 mi · 2h 9m

Pacing Suggestions

Batesville, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Madison, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 151.1 miles from Southaven, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 185.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 235.4 — 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

5
193.7 mi into trip | ~3h 30m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 49 North: Yazoo City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 49 North: Yazoo City
5
202.4 mi into trip | ~3h 44m in

Take the ramp toward 20

Navigation decision point

Toward 20
7
235.4 mi into trip | ~4h 20m in | US 61

Keep slight left at fork onto US 61 toward US 61 South: Natchez

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward US 61 South: Natchez

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.62 one way

$91.25 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 106 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $50.08 $100.17
premium $4.56 $54.22 $108.45
diesel $5.61 $66.70 $133.40

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: 105.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 90.6 1 $31.72 $14.50
Efficient EV 75.5 0 $26.43 $12.08
EV Truck/SUV 120.8 1 $42.29 $19.33

Gas CO2

106 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (67% 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Southaven, MS

Evening in Southaven on Saturday

Local time

8:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Morgantown, MS

Evening in Morgantown on Saturday

Local time

8:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°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

5 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 37m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience for this 302.1-mile drive, with 98% of it spent on major interstates and highways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 185.9 miles on I-55, meaning long periods of consistent driving. While the route primarily utilizes high-speed roads like I-55, US-61, and I-20, the character remains consistent for the majority of the trip. This highway-centric profile suggests a focus on efficient travel rather than varied scenery or challenging road conditions.

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: 185.9 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 61. 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.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 302.1 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 193.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Southaven, MS to Morgantown, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Ntp along the way.

Ntp

195.7 mi in | ~3h 33m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 37m. Total distance: 302.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 37m 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 185.9 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.

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 Morgantown, 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 0.1 miles (Haleville Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Millbranch Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 193.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Morgantown, MS before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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