Tupelo to Pearlington is 313 miles and takes about 6h 3m via I 59 and US Highway 45 Alternate, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across Mississippi, starting in the Southeast region and ending in the same region. Most of your travel will be on highways, making for a relatively straightforward drive. Given the 6-hour estimated duration, it's a solid option for a single-day road trip if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. You can expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of the way.
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
156.5 miles from Tupelo, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 59
147.3 mi
2h 38m
US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 45 Alternate
54.7 mi
1h 6m
Martin Luther King Drive
8.7 mi
10m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
Shuttle Parkway
6.8 mi
12m
State Highway 607
5.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 147.3 mi, about 2h 38m
Traffic on I-59
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~978 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,174
Quietest
1 AM
~91 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
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 Tupelo, MS and Pearlington, 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
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
18
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
147 mi·2 hr 38 min·I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New OrleansUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 11, MS 607: NASA John C. Stennis Space Center
22
Keep slight left at fork
75 ft·5 sec
23
Turn left onto US 11
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 11
24
Continue on State Highway 607
5.7 mi·6 min·State Highway 607
25
Continue on Shuttle Parkway
6.8 mi·12 min·Shuttle Parkway
26
Continue on MS 607
1.4 mi·2 min·MS 607
27
Turn right onto MS 604
4.6 mi·8 min·MS 604
28
Arrive at destination
MS 604
Trip Plan
Since this 6-hour drive is easily manageable in one day, consider leaving Tupelo in the morning to give yourself ample time. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 147.3 miles on I 59, so plan your first substantial break around that point. With a fuel cost estimated at $42, keep an eye on your gauge, especially before heading out on the longer highway segments. The drive is mostly highway, so you won't need to worry too much about navigating complex surface streets until you get closer to Pearlington.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 156.5 miles from Tupelo, MS, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.3 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 69 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.5 miles or 3h 4m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pearlington, 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 313 miles and 6h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 I 59 for about 147.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 147 — 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
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
138.4 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
5
138.9 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|I 20; I 59
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
147 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|I 59
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.45 one way
$86.90 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$48.61
$97.23
premium
$4.29
$52.85
$105.71
diesel
$4.80
$59.10
$118.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.9
1
$32.87
$15.02
Efficient EV
78.3
0
$27.39
$12.52
EV Truck/SUV
125.2
1
$43.82
$20.03
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Forecast as of Jul 13, 2026
Origin
Tupelo, MS
Late night
in Tupelo on Sunday
Local time
4:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 5 to 10 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pearlington, MS
Late night
in Pearlington on Sunday
Local time
4:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 10 mph79% chanceLive forecast
93°F
Meridian, MS
157 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
4 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
6h 3m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 about 96% of your time on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on I 59 covering 147.3 miles. This means you'll experience mostly highway cruising, with frequent exits and opportunities to merge with other traffic. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, occurring only in the final portion of your drive. Expect a consistent pace for most of the 313 miles.
96% 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: 147.3 mi on I 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US Highway 45 Aiternate. 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 12 significant decision points across 313 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 (East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 138.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
389 ft9 ft
Total Climb
398 ft
Total Descent
667 ft
Highest Point
389 ft
~134.2 mi in
Elevation Range
380 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 Pearlington, MS, road signs begin pointing toward New Orleans along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 3m. Total distance: 313 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 147.3 miles on I 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Pearlington, 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 14 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 (East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 138.4 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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pearlington, MS before the return drive.
