Southaven, MS to Waynesboro, MS is 290.4 miles and takes about 5h 40m via US 78 and US 45, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traveling from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a straightforward drive. Given the relatively short duration, it's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip.
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
145.2 miles from Southaven, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 78
83.4 mi
1h 29m
US 45
69 mi
1h 20m
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
MS 145
3.4 mi
5m
I 55
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 78
— 83.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southaven, MS and Waynesboro, 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
1.2 mi·1 min·I 55; I 69
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
8
At end of road, turn left onto MS 302
8.3 mi·12 min·Goodman Road West
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
10
Merge onto US 78
83 mi·1 hr 29 min·US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward US 45:south: Tupelo
12
Merge onto US 45
14 mi·17 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
14
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
15
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
16
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
17
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
18
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
19 mi·21 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 45
0.7 mi·46 sec·US 45
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 45
3.7 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 45
5.4 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 45
5.5 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 45
2.7 mi·3 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 45
1.7 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
28
Continue on US 45
9.8 mi·11 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 45
2.0 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on US 45
0.7 mi·46 sec·US 45
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn right onto MS 145
3.4 mi·5 min·MS 145
32
Turn right onto MS 184
0.3 mi·28 sec·Azalea Drive
33
Arrive at destination
MS 184
Trip Plan
Since this drive can be completed in under six hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential brief stops. The fuel cost is estimated at $43, so ensure your tank is full before you depart Southaven. With only one recommended stop and a high highway share, you'll likely find ample opportunities for fuel and restrooms along US 45.
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 145.2 miles from Southaven, MS, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.4 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 64 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.2 miles or 2h 49m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waynesboro, 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 290.4 miles and 5h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 US 78 for about 83.4 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 231.9 — 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
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
5
2.9 mi into trip|~5m in|MS 302 / Goodman Road West
At end of road, turn left onto MS 302 / Goodman Road West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
231.9 mi into trip|~4h 30m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.69 one way
$89.38 round trip
$3.91/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.37
$49.99
$99.97
premium
$4.76
$54.43
$108.87
diesel
$5.89
$67.31
$134.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.1
1
$30.49
$13.94
Efficient EV
72.6
0
$25.41
$11.62
EV Truck/SUV
116.2
1
$40.66
$18.59
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Southaven, MS
Morning
in Southaven on Sunday
Local time
6:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Partly Cloudy
N 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 17 at 5:35AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 3:29AM CDT until October 17 at 3:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Waynesboro, MS
Morning
in Waynesboro on Sunday
Local time
6:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
N 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 17 at 5:35AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 3:29AM CDT until October 17 at 3:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
49°F
Columbus, MS
145 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
21 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 40m 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.
Tupelo National Battlefield
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 100.1
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 90.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 96% of the trip on major roads. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 83.4 miles on US 78 before transitioning. The majority of the drive will feel like cruising on well-maintained highways, with a high percentage of limited-access roads.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.4 mi on US 78.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 78 and US 45. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Haleville Drive.
Driving Effort6/10
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 290.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 (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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 40m. Total distance: 290.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.4 miles on US 78. 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 Waynesboro, 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 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Tupelo National Battlefield and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. 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 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waynesboro, MS before the return drive.
