This 220.6-mile drive from Tupelo, Mississippi, to Taylorsville, Mississippi, will take you approximately 4 hours and 22 minutes to complete. It's a straightforward journey primarily on US Highway 45 Alternate and I-59, with 92% of the route being highway driving. Considering the duration and distance, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, with an estimated fuel cost of around $33. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region for the entire trip, experiencing a consistent feel as you head south. This route offers a practical way to cover ground efficiently.
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
110.3 miles from Tupelo, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 45 Alternate
54.7 mi
1h 6m
I 59
51.2 mi
54m
MS 28
16.7 mi
24m
Martin Luther King Drive
8.7 mi
10m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
US 45
3.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 45 Aiternate
— 60.6 mi, about 1h 9m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 5 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,821 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,146
Quietest
2 AM
~211 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
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 Taylorsville, 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
51 mi·54 min·I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New OrleansUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward US 84 East: Waynesboro, Chantilly StreetUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
221 ft·6 sec
23
Turn straight onto Chantilly Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·Chantilly Street
24
At end of road, turn left onto US 11
0.2 mi·17 sec·Cross Street
25
Continue on US 11
0.2 mi·26 sec·Teresa Street
26
Turn left onto North Magnolia Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·North Magnolia Street
27
Continue on Sawmill Road
0.2 mi·22 sec·Sawmill Road
28
Keep slight left at fork onto Sawmill Road
473 ft·10 sec·Sawmill Road
29
Enter roundabout onto Sawmill Road
72 ft·1 sec·Sawmill Road
30
Continue on Sawmill Road
0.5 mi·59 sec·Sawmill Road
31
Continue on West 5th Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·West 5th Street
32
Continue on US 84; MS 28
3.7 mi·4 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
33
Turn right onto MS 28
17 mi·24 min·MS 28
34
Arrive at destination
MS 28
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 22-minute drive, leaving Tupelo in the morning will give you ample time to reach Taylorsville without feeling rushed. With only one stop suggested for this 220.6-mile journey, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 60.6 miles on US Highway 45 Alternate, as services can sometimes be spaced out on these highways. The estimated $33 fuel cost is a helpful budget point for planning this single-day trip.
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 110.3 miles from Tupelo, MS, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.6 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 49 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.3 miles or 2h 11m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Taylorsville, 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 220.6 miles and 4h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 US Highway 45 Aiternate for about 60.6 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 199.4 — 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.
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
7
198.2 mi into trip|~3h 49m in
Take the exit toward US 84 East: Waynesboro, Chantilly Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 84 East: Waynesboro, Chantilly Street
6
199.4 mi into trip|~3h 51m in|Sawmill Road
Enter roundabout onto Sawmill Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.62 one way
$61.25 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$34.26
$68.52
premium
$4.29
$37.25
$74.50
diesel
$4.80
$41.65
$83.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.2
0
$23.16
$10.59
Efficient EV
55.2
0
$19.30
$8.82
EV Truck/SUV
88.2
1
$30.88
$14.12
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Tupelo, MS
Late night
in Tupelo on Sunday
Local time
5:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 3:05AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 11:35PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Destination
Taylorsville, MS
Late night
in Taylorsville on Sunday
Local time
5:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 3:05AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 11:35PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
93°F
Meridian, MS
110 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 22m 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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 92% of the 220.6 miles spent on main roads like US Highway 45 Alternate and I-59. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 60.6 miles on US Highway 45 Alternate, offering a solid period of consistent travel. While largely a highway experience, the shift between these major arteries will provide some variation. This route is designed for making miles, so you'll experience a steady pace for most of the 4-hour journey.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.6 mi on US Highway 45 Aiternate.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 45 Aiternate and US Highway 45 Alternate. 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 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 220.6 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 147 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
355 ft198 ft
Total Climb
322 ft
Total Descent
320 ft
Highest Point
355 ft
~173.3 mi in
Elevation Range
157 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 Taylorsville, MS, road signs begin pointing toward New Orleans along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 22m. Total distance: 220.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 22m 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 60.6 miles on US Highway 45 Aiternate. 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 Taylorsville, 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 (East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 147 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Taylorsville, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
