Tupelo, MS to Walnut Grove, MS is 128 miles and takes about 2 hours 56 minutes via US 278, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Mississippi, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, single-day trip ideal for those looking for an efficient journey between these two locations. With a highway share of 89%, you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained roads. Plan for just one stop on this relatively short, manageable route.
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
64 miles from Tupelo, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 278
62.3 mi
1h 22m
Pontotoc Parkway West
24.4 mi
28m
Pontotoc Parkway East
11.2 mi
12m
Sherard Road
7.5 mi
13m
Mississippi Highway 1
5.9 mi
8m
Old Highway 6
5.6 mi
7m
West Main Street
5.6 mi
11m
MS 161
3.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 278
— 62.3 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tupelo, MS and Walnut Grove, 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
5.6 mi·11 min·West Main Street
5
Continue on Old Highway 6
5.6 mi·7 min·Old Highway 6
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
7
Continue on US 278; MS 6
11 mi·12 min·Pontotoc Parkway East
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278; MS 6
24 mi·28 min·Pontotoc Parkway West
9
Continue on MS 6; US 278
0.5 mi·35 sec·MS 6; US 278
10
Continue on US 278; MS 6
62 mi·1 hr 22 min·US 278; MS 6
11
Turn left onto MS 161
3.5 mi·6 min·MS 161
12
Turn right onto MS 322
7.5 mi·13 min·Sherard Road
13
Turn straight onto MS 1
5.9 mi·8 min·Mississippi Highway 1
14
Turn left onto Alligator - Rena Lara Road
0.9 mi·3 min·Alligator - Rena Lara Road
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 56 minute duration, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day, making it flexible to start whenever you prefer. The $19 fuel estimate is quite reasonable, so you likely won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient spot along US 278 to stretch your legs or grab a quick bite. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before departing Tupelo, as the longest stretch without a major road change is over 60 miles.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64 miles from Tupelo, MS, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.3 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 28 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Walnut Grove, 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 128 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 278 for about 62.3 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 127.1 — 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
4
23 mi into trip|~33m in|US 278; MS 6 / Pontotoc Parkway West
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278; MS 6 / Pontotoc Parkway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
127.1 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|Alligator - Rena Lara Road
Turn left onto Alligator - Rena Lara Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.33 one way
$38.66 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$21.22
$42.44
premium
$4.56
$22.97
$45.95
diesel
$5.61
$28.26
$56.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.4
0
$13.44
$6.14
Efficient EV
32
0
$11.20
$5.12
EV Truck/SUV
51.2
0
$17.92
$8.19
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tupelo, MS
Morning
in Tupelo on Sunday
Local time
9:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Walnut Grove, MS
Morning
in Walnut Grove on Sunday
Local time
9:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Oxford, MS
64 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
22 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
2h 56m 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.
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...
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
National Monument
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 106
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the journey utilizing main roads like US 278, Pontotoc Parkway West, and Pontotoc Parkway East. You'll experience a consistent driving pace for the most part, including a longest stretch of 62.3 miles on US 278 without needing to make a major turn. Expect a smooth ride that prioritizes reaching your destination efficiently rather than winding through scenic backroads. The character remains largely highway-like throughout its duration.
89% 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: 62.3 mi on US 278.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 278 and Pontotoc Parkway West. 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 Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Tupelo, MS to Walnut Grove, MS is easy. At 2h 56m with 89% 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 2h 56m. Total distance: 128 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 62.3 miles on US 278. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes — Tupelo National Battlefield, Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Walnut Grove, MS before heading back.
