Tupelo to Magee is 217.2 miles and takes about 4h 36m via MS 25, MS 13, and US Highway 45 Alternate, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traversing the Southeast region from start to finish. It's a straightforward drive that's mostly on highways, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct way to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is well within typical driving limits.
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
108.6 miles from Tupelo, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 25
94.8 mi
1h 49m
MS 13
56.2 mi
1h 23m
US Highway 45 Alternate
35.7 mi
43m
Martin Luther King Drive
8.7 mi
10m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
US 49
6.8 mi
7m
Sanatorium Road
3.1 mi
5m
Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
2.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
MS 25
— 94.8 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tupelo, MS and Magee, 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
51 mi·58 min·MS 25
20
Turn left onto MS 13
56 mi·1 hr 23 min·MS 13
21
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
22
Merge onto US 49
6.8 mi·7 min·US 49
23
Turn right onto MS 149
122 ft·5 sec·MS 149
24
Continue on MS 149
0.2 mi·19 sec·New Galilee Road
25
Continue on MS 149
1.1 mi·1 min·Sanitorium Road
26
Continue on MS 149
3.1 mi·5 min·Sanatorium Road
27
Turn left onto 1st Avenue Northwest
149 ft·6 sec·1st Avenue Northwest
28
Arrive at destination
1st Avenue Northwest
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day drive of under five hours, you have flexibility on when to depart. Leaving Tupelo in the morning will give you ample time to reach Magee well before evening. The route features a manageable longest stretch of 94.8 miles on MS 25, so you won't need to stop excessively for breaks, though a mid-drive stop is always a good idea. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the highway portions, as the estimated cost is $32. Your main roads are MS 25, MS 13, and US Highway 45 Alternate, so familiarize yourself with these designations.
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 108.6 miles from Tupelo, MS, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.8 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 48 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.6 miles or 2h 9m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Magee, 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 217.2 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 94.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 66.6 — 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|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...
4
66.6 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|MS 25
Take the exit onto MS 25 toward MS 25 South: Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward MS 25 South: Louisville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.15 one way
$60.30 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$33.73
$67.47
premium
$4.29
$36.68
$73.35
diesel
$4.80
$41.01
$82.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.2
0
$22.81
$10.43
Efficient EV
54.3
0
$19.01
$8.69
EV Truck/SUV
86.9
1
$30.41
$13.90
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Tupelo, MS
Late night
in Tupelo on Sunday
Local time
5:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:49PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Magee, MS
Late night
in Magee on Sunday
Local time
5:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Sunny
NNW 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:49PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
95°F
Carthage, MS
109 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 36m 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...
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?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 92% of the route utilizing them. The longest stretch without a significant break is 94.8 miles along MS 25. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination. The extensive highway mileage means you'll likely experience consistent speeds for the majority of the trip.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.8 mi on MS 25.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 25 and MS 13. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Court Street.
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 217.2 miles you will encounter 13 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: 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 36m. Total distance: 217.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.8 miles on MS 25. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 Magee, 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 2 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 and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Magee, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
