Summit, MS to Tupelo, MS is 269 miles and takes about 5 hours 10 minutes via MS Hwy 25 and I-55, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. The route is primarily highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You'll find it's a practical way to cover ground efficiently, with most of the travel on major roads. Consider this if you're looking for a no-fuss drive between these two Mississippi locations.
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
134.6 miles from Summit, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS Hwy 25
79.6 mi
1h 30m
I 55
77 mi
1h 23m
MS 25
43.5 mi
50m
US Highway 45 Alternate
34.6 mi
42m
Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi
20m
Lakeland Drive
12.3 mi
14m
Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
1.5 mi
2m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
MS Hwy 25
— 79.6 mi, about 1h 30m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 29 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,767 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~166 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Summit, MS and Tupelo, MS.
1
Start on Robb Street
39 ft·7 sec·Robb Street
2
Turn left onto US 51
0.3 mi·32 sec·South Laurel Street
3
Turn left onto Lawrence Street
0.4 mi·37 sec·Lawrence Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
5
Merge onto I 55
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 55
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
2.1 mi·2 min·I 55
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
4.2 mi·5 min·I 55
Toward Grenada, Memphis
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward MS 25 North: Carthage
9
Turn right onto MS 25
12 mi·14 min·Lakeland Drive
10
Continue on MS 25
80 mi·1 hr 30 min·MS Hwy 25
11
Take the exit onto MS 25
25 mi·29 min·MS 25
12
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
2.4 mi·2 min·MS 25
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on MS 25
3.8 mi·4 min·MS 25
14
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
12 mi·13 min·MS 25
Toward US 82 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West Point
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward US 45 Alternate North, MS 25 North: West Point, Tupelo
16
Merge onto US 45 ALT; MS 25
35 mi·42 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi·20 min·Martin Luther King Drive
18
Continue on US 45; MS 6
1.5 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
19
Take the exit onto MS 6
0.4 mi·49 sec·MS 6
Toward MS 6 East: Downtown Tupelo
20
Keep slight left at fork
170 ft·7 sec
21
Turn left onto MS 6
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto North Spring Street
230 ft·10 sec·North Spring Street
23
Arrive at destination
North Spring Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 5 hours, this route is easily achievable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and have ample time for any unscheduled stops. There's one recommended stop, so plan for a break roughly halfway through your drive. Given the highway-heavy nature, be mindful of fuel levels, especially on the 79.6-mile stretch of MS Hwy 25; the estimated fuel cost is $42. The flexibility of a one-day trip means you can adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 134.6 miles from Summit, MS, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.6 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 59 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.6 miles or 2h 31m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tupelo, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Summit, 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 Summit, MS
This is one driving day of about 269.2 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Summit, 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 MS Hwy 25 for about 79.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 213.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 51 / South Laurel Street
Turn left onto US 51 / South Laurel Street
Navigation decision point
6
73.9 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward Grenada, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Grenada, Memphis
6
195.1 mi into trip|~3h 40m in|MS 25
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
201.3 mi into trip|~3h 47m in|MS 25
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25 toward US 82 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West Point
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 82 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West...
5
213.6 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Take the exit toward US 45 Alternate North, MS 25 North: West Point, Tupelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 45 Alternate North, MS 25 North: West...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.37 one way
$74.74 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$41.81
$83.62
premium
$4.29
$45.46
$90.91
diesel
$4.80
$50.83
$101.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.8
0
$28.27
$12.92
Efficient EV
67.3
0
$23.56
$10.77
EV Truck/SUV
107.7
1
$37.69
$17.23
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Summit, MS
Late night
in Summit on Sunday
Local time
5:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Tupelo, MS
Late night
in Tupelo on Sunday
Local time
5:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
95°F
Pearl River, MS
135 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
1 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
5h 10m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 269.2
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 74.3
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 269.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 87% of your time on highways, with MS Hwy 25 and I-55 forming the backbone of this drive. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 79.6 miles, also on MS Hwy 25. Expect a rural cruising feel for much of the route, punctuated by periods of faster highway travel. As you approach larger towns, you'll notice an increase in exit density before settling back into more open road.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.6 mi on MS Hwy 25.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS Hwy 25 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 51 / South Laurel Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 269.2 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: near the start (US 51 / South Laurel Street): Navigation decision point; at 73.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.1 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
524 ft252 ft
Total Climb
315 ft
Total Descent
467 ft
Highest Point
524 ft
~153.8 mi in
Elevation Range
272 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Summit, MS and Tupelo, MS, road signs point toward Grenada, Memphis and Point.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 269.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.6 miles on MS Hwy 25. 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 Tupelo, 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: near the start (US 51 / South Laurel Street): Navigation decision point; at 73.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.1 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Tupelo National Battlefield, Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tupelo, MS before the return drive.
