Origin
Tupelo, MS
Night in Tupelo on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tupelo, MS to Richton, MS
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 43m
Distance
171.8 mi
277 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 31m
★
6 AM
3h 43m
8 AM
4h 9m
10 AM
3h 52m
12 PM
3h 50m
3 PM
3h 54m
5 PM
4h 7m
8 PM
3h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tupelo, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Richton, MS
大 董
Trip Overview
This 171.8-mile journey from Tupelo, MS to Richton, MS is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 43 minutes. With 98% of the route on highways, including I-55 and US 82, you'll cover significant ground efficiently. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $26, making it an economical option. This drive primarily stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent travel experience as you head south. It's a practical choice if you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
85.9 miles from Tupelo, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 65.1 mi | 1h 9m |
| Natchez Trace Parkway | 45.4 mi | 1h 8m |
| US 82 | 40.2 mi | 47m |
| MS 15 | 11.5 mi | 18m |
| MS 22 | 5.5 mi | 9m |
| West Main Street | 2.9 mi | 6m |
| County Road 285 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Broadway Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 65.1 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tupelo, MS and Richton, MS.
1
Start on North Spring Street
68 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Spring Street
2
Turn left onto Court Street
280 ft
·
17 sec
·
Court Street
3
Turn left onto North Broadway Street
298 ft
·
17 sec
·
North Broadway Street
4
Turn right onto West Main Street
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West Main Street
5
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
1 min
6
At end of road, turn left onto Natchez Trace Parkway
45 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
Natchez Trace Parkway
7
Turn right onto County Road 285
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
County Road 285
8
At end of road, turn left onto MS 15
9.5 mi
·
14 min
·
MS 15
9
Take the ramp onto MS 15
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
MS 15
10
Continue on US 82
40 mi
·
47 min
·
US 82
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
12
Merge onto I 55
65 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 55
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward MS 22: Canton, Flora
14
Turn right onto MS 22
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
MS 22
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 43-minute duration, this 171.8-mile route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving Tupelo earlier in the day will allow you to arrive in Richton with ample time to spare. With the longest stretch being 65.1 miles, plan for one primary stop around the halfway point to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between I-55 and US 82, to ensure you're prepared for the 98% highway driving.
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 85.9 miles from Tupelo, MS, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.1 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 38 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.9 miles or 2h 5m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richton, 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 171.8 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 55 for about 65.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.9 miles from Tupelo, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 165.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Court Street
Turn left onto Court Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Broadway Street
Turn left onto North Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Main Street
Turn right onto West Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
48.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
MS 15
At end of road, turn left onto MS 15
Navigation decision point
5
165.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
Take the exit toward MS 22: Canton, Flora
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 22: Canton, Flora
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.95 one way
$51.89 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $28.48 | $56.96 |
| premium | $4.56 | $30.84 | $61.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.93 | $75.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.5 | 0 | $18.04 | $8.25 |
| Efficient EV | 43 | 0 | $15.03 | $6.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.7 | 0 | $24.05 | $11.00 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Richton, MS
Night in Richton on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
18 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
3h 43m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 171.8-mile trip, with 98% of your travel time spent on main roads like I-55 and US 82. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 65.1 miles on I-55, allowing for steady progress. While much of the drive is on faster-paced highways, the integration of the Natchez Trace Parkway adds a different pace to a portion of the journey. This mix means you'll experience both efficient travel and a more contemplative drive.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.1 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Natchez Trace Parkway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Court Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Tupelo, MS to Richton, MS is easy. At 3h 43m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 43m. Total distance: 171.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.1 miles on I 55. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Richton, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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