Tupelo to Beechwood is 237.9 miles and takes about 4h 41m via MS 25, I 20, and US Highway 45 Alternate, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive that's almost entirely on highways, making it an efficient option if you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Plan for a single day of travel, as the 4-hour driving time is very manageable.
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
119 miles from Tupelo, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 25
136.2 mi
2h 36m
I 20
38.9 mi
43m
US Highway 45 Alternate
35.7 mi
43m
Martin Luther King Drive
8.7 mi
10m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
I 55
6.1 mi
7m
Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
2.3 mi
2m
MS 27
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
MS 25
— 136.2 mi, about 2h 36m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 19 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,112 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~239 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 24 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 Tupelo, MS and Beechwood, MS.
1
Start on North Spring Street
68 ft·5 sec·North Spring Street
2
Turn right onto Court Street
317 ft·16 sec·Court Street
3
Turn right onto North Front Street
287 ft·15 sec·North Front Street
4
Turn left onto East Main Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Main Street
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
6
Merge onto US 45; MS 6
1.0 mi·1 min·Martin Luther King Drive
7
Continue on US 45; MS 6
2.3 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
8
Continue on US 45; US 278
7.7 mi·8 min·Martin Luther King Drive
9
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
10
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
11
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
12
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
13
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
14
Continue on US 45 ALT
36 mi·43 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit onto MS 25
12 mi·13 min·MS 25
Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville
16
Take the exit onto MS 25
5.0 mi·6 min·MS 25
Toward MS 25 South: Louisville
17
Continue on MS 25
1.9 mi·2 min·MS 25
Use the left lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
25 mi·28 min·MS 25
19
Take the exit onto MS 25
93 mi·1 hr 46 min·MS 25
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
21
Merge onto I 55
6.1 mi·7 min·I 55
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
39 mi·43 min·I 20; US 49
Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward MS 27: Utica
24
Merge onto MS 27
0.1 mi·11 sec·MS 27
25
Turn straight onto MS 27
0.7 mi·1 min·MS 27
26
Turn right
125 ft·10 sec
27
Turn left onto Paxton Road
0.7 mi·2 min·Paxton Road
28
Turn right
88 ft·6 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 4-hour driving time, this trip is best suited for a single-day adventure. Depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unforeseen delays. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimate around $36, you can be quite flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on MS 25, as services can sometimes be spaced out on these longer highway segments.
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 119 miles from Tupelo, MS, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.2 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 52 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119 miles or 2h 21m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beechwood, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tupelo, 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 Tupelo, MS
This is one driving day of about 237.9 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Tupelo, 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 25 for about 136.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 197.3 — 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|Court Street
Turn right onto Court Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|North Front Street
Turn right onto North Front Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East Main Street
Turn left onto East Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
54.9 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|MS 25
Take the exit onto MS 25 toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Sta...
6
197.3 mi into trip|~3h 52m in|I 20; US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49 toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.57 one way
$73.13 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$40.44
$80.89
premium
$4.65
$43.52
$87.05
diesel
$5.35
$50.11
$100.22
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: 83.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.4
0
$24.98
$11.42
Efficient EV
59.5
0
$20.82
$9.52
EV Truck/SUV
95.2
1
$33.31
$15.23
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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 May 28, 2026
Origin
Tupelo, MS
Afternoon
in Tupelo on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 27 at 8:47PM CDT until May 30 at 11:17PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 27 at 8:45PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Beechwood, MS
Afternoon
in Beechwood on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 27 at 8:47PM CDT until May 30 at 11:17PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 27 at 8:45PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
71°F
Pearl River, MS
119 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 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.
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...
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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 196.9
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 94% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including a significant 136.2-mile segment on MS 25. The character of the drive is predominantly that of a highway journey, designed for steady progress rather than winding scenic exploration. Expect consistent speeds and the typical environment of traveling on major thoroughfares for the majority of your trip.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.2 mi on MS 25.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 25 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Court Street.
Driving Effort7/10
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 237.9 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 (Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
579 ft192 ft
Total Climb
483 ft
Total Descent
551 ft
Highest Point
579 ft
~102 mi in
Elevation Range
387 ft
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 Tupelo, MS to Beechwood, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Yazoo City along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 237.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 136.2 miles on MS 25. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Beechwood, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East Main Street): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Beechwood, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
