Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Southaven, MS to Natchez, MS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 41m
Distance
304.7 mi
490 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 28m
★
6 AM
5h 41m
8 AM
6h 8m
10 AM
5h 51m
12 PM
5h 48m
3 PM
5h 52m
5 PM
6h 7m
8 PM
5h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Southaven, MS
大 董
Natchez, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Southaven, MS to Natchez, MS is 304.7 miles and takes about 5h 41m via I-55 and US-61, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, moving from the northern part of the state down to the southwestern region. Given that 98% of this route is highway, expect a fairly straightforward drive primarily on major interstates and highways. It's a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points without a lot of complex navigation.
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
152.4 miles from Southaven, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 185.9 mi | 3h 19m |
| US 61 | 66.6 mi | 1h 15m |
| 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 |
| Devereaux Drive | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| St Catherine Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 185.9 mi, about 3h 19m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,069 veh/hr typical · worst 1,314
Quietest
2 AM
~101 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southaven, MS and Natchez, 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
67 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
US 61
Toward US 61 South: Natchez
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Take the exit onto Devereaux Drive
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Devereaux Drive
19
Keep slight right at fork onto Devereaux Drive
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Devereaux Drive
20
Continue on St Catherine Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
St Catherine Street
21
Continue on St Catherine Street
294 ft
·
12 sec
·
St Catherine Street
22
Turn left onto North Martin Luther King Jr Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Martin Luther King Jr Street
23
Turn right onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Main Street
24
Turn left onto South Commerce Street
142 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Commerce Street
25
Turn right onto Bracken Alley
347 ft
·
27 sec
·
Bracken Alley
26
Turn right onto South Pearl Street
128 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Pearl Street
27
Arrive at destination
South Pearl Street
Trip Plan
For this 5h 41m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to make good time. With a total distance of 304.7 miles, you could technically do it in one go, but consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $48, so be mindful of your tank, especially before heading onto longer stretches like the 185.9 miles on I-55. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-55 to US-61; this is where the driving experience will change from interstate to a more direct highway feel.
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 152.4 miles from Southaven, MS, or about 2h 45m 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 67 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.4 miles or 2h 45m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Natchez, 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 304.7 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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
152 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 152.4 miles from Southaven, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Doughboys
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 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
$42.30 one way
$84.60 round trip
$3.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
107 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.95 | $47.32 | $94.65 |
| premium | $4.29 | $51.45 | $102.90 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $57.53 | $115.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91.4 | 1 | $31.99 | $14.63 |
| Efficient EV | 76.2 | 0 | $26.66 | $12.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.9 | 1 | $42.66 | $19.50 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Southaven, MS
Late night in Southaven on Sunday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Natchez, MS
Late night in Natchez on Sunday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 0 to 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
93°F
Clinton, MS
152 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 41m 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 National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Discover the history of all the peoples of Natchez, Mississippi, from European settlement, African enslavement, the American cotton economy, to the Civil Rights struggle on the lower Mississippi River...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 304.7
View on nps.gov
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 189.2
View on nps.gov
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 63.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with 98% of the 304.7 miles covered on major roads like I-55 and US-61. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 185.9 miles on I-55 before transitioning to US-61. Expect a lot of cruising with dense exits and merges, especially on the interstate portions. The final stretch on US-61 will likely feel more like rural cruising compared to the interstate.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 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?
8/10
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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 304.7 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
410 ft
99 ft
Total Climb
362 ft
Total Descent
453 ft
Highest Point
410 ft
~108.8 mi in
Elevation Range
311 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Natchez, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Ntp along the way.
Ntp
195.7 mi in
|
~3h 33m
About the Cities
Starting in Southaven, MS
Full guide →Founded 1980
Southaven is a city in Mississippi. Known as the "Top of Mississippi," the city is the gateway to the Mississippi Delta and minutes from Memphis.
Arriving in Natchez, MS
Full guide →Founded 1716
Natchez is a city near the southwest corner of the U.S. state of Mississippi. This historic town is perched on a high bluff above the Mississippi River 100 miles upriver from New Orleans. It was an important, wealthy city before the Civil War. That history gave it the South's grandest collection of antebellum homes.
Top landmarks
- • Fort Rosalie — United States historic place in Mississippi
- • Dunleith — human settlement in United States of America
- • Grand Village of the Natchez — archaeological site in Natchez, United States of America
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 41m. Total distance: 304.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m 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.
Yes — we found about 9 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.
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 Natchez, 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Natchez National Historical Park, Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Natchez, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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