Tupelo to Vicksburg is 239.4 miles and takes about 4h 41m via MS 25 and I 20, 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 another part of the Southeast. Given its mostly highway profile, expect a straightforward drive. It's a practical route for a single day, perfect if you want to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
119.7 miles from Tupelo, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 25
136.2 mi
2h 36m
I 20
39.5 mi
44m
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
East Clay Street
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
MS 25
— 136.2 mi, about 2h 36m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,160 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~245 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Vicksburg, 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
Merge onto I 20; US 61; US 80
0.4 mi·28 sec·I 20; US 61; US 80
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward Downtown, Vicksburg
25
Turn straight onto US 80 Historic
2.0 mi·3 min·East Clay Street
26
Turn right onto Cherry Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·Cherry Street
27
Turn right onto Jackson Street
63 ft·2 sec·Jackson Street
28
Arrive at destination
Jackson Street
Trip Plan
Since this 239.4-mile drive can be completed in under 5 hours, it's ideal for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Tupelo in the morning to ensure you have plenty of daylight for the drive. With a fuel cost estimated around $36, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 136.2-mile stretch on MS 25, as services might be less frequent. A single stop should be sufficient for this distance, but plan it around a town with readily available amenities.
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 119.7 miles from Tupelo, MS, or about 2h 22m 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 53 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.7 miles or 2h 22m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vicksburg, 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 239.4 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 236.8 — 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
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...
5
236.8 mi into trip|~4h 36m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Vicksburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Downtown, Vicksburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.84 one way
$73.69 round trip
$3.91/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.37
$41.21
$82.41
premium
$4.76
$44.87
$89.75
diesel
$5.89
$55.49
$110.97
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: 83.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.8
0
$25.14
$11.49
Efficient EV
59.9
0
$20.95
$9.58
EV Truck/SUV
95.8
1
$33.52
$15.32
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Tupelo, MS
Morning
in Tupelo on Sunday
Local time
7:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
NNE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Vicksburg, MS
Morning
in Vicksburg on Sunday
Local time
7:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Clear
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
86°F
Pearl River, MS
120 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
5 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 198.2
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 drive is almost entirely highway, with a 94% highway share. You'll be on MS 25 for a significant stretch, covering 136.2 miles continuously before transitioning to other main roads like I 20. Expect a very consistent driving experience, with minimal time spent on surface streets. The density of highway travel means you'll encounter more merging and higher speed limits for most of the trip.
94% 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: 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 15 significant decision points across 239.4 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 54.9 miles (MS 25): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
563 ft191 ft
Total Climb
484 ft
Total Descent
519 ft
Highest Point
563 ft
~102.6 mi in
Elevation Range
372 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 Vicksburg, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Yazoo City along the way.
Vicksburg is a city of 22,000 people (2018) in Warren County, Mississippi. Vicksburg is a cultural landmark in the American South, and is home to the Southern Cultural Heritage Center, Vicksburg Military Park, and the Lower Mississippi River Museum.
Top landmarks
•Old Vicksburg Bridge — rail bridge over the Mississippi River
•The Old Courthouse Museum — museum and former courthouse in Vicksburg, Mississippi
•Waterways Experiment Station — research facility in Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 239.4 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 Vicksburg, 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 54.9 miles (MS 25): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Vicksburg, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
