Embarking from Vancleave, Mississippi, to Southaven, Mississippi, this 371.1-mile journey is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 7 hours and 9 minutes to complete. The route primarily utilizes I-55 and US 49, with a short segment on the Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway, ensuring a 99% highway experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $57, this drive is efficient for budget-conscious travelers. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it a straightforward, highway-focused trip across the Southeast region of Mississippi.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
185.5 miles from Vancleave, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
195.7 mi
3h 31m
US 49
135 mi
2h 46m
Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
20.4 mi
23m
I 10
10.1 mi
10m
MS 57
7.2 mi
10m
Stateline Road West
0.4 mi
<1m
Millbranch Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Haleville Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 195.7 mi, about 3h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vancleave, MS and Southaven, MS.
1
Start on MS 57
7.2 mi·10 min·MS 57
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
3
Merge onto I 10
10 mi·10 min·I 10
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 46D-BToward I 110, MS 15, MS 67: Biloxi, Keesler Air Force Base
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 46CToward MS 15, MS 67: MS 15, MS 67
7
Merge onto MS 15; MS 67
20 mi·23 min·Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward US 49 North: Hattiesburg, Jackson
9
Merge onto US 49
40 mi·46 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 49
2.4 mi·2 min·US 49
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto US 49
10 mi·16 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 49; MS 42
5.4 mi·6 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 49
5.3 mi·6 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 49
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 49
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 49
4.2 mi·4 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 49
66 mi·1 hr 20 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit onto US 49
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 49
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Jackson
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.9 mi·1 min·US 49
20
Merge onto I 55
196 mi·3 hr 31 min·I 55
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake
22
Turn left onto Stateline Road West
0.4 mi·53 sec·Stateline Road West
23
Turn left onto Millbranch Road
0.2 mi·36 sec·Millbranch Road
24
Turn right onto Haleville Drive
0.2 mi·53 sec·Haleville Drive
25
Turn left onto Five Oaks Drive North
0.1 mi·28 sec·Five Oaks Drive North
26
Arrive at destination
Five Oaks Drive West
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour duration, starting your drive from Vancleave early in the morning is advisable to avoid the longest stretches of driving later in the day. With only 2 planned stops, you can be strategic about when and where you choose to refuel or take breaks. The longest stretch on I-55 is nearly 200 miles, so ensure you have ample fuel before entering that segment. This route is designed for a single-day effort, so focus on making good time while staying alert, especially during the extended interstate portions.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 185.5 miles from Vancleave, MS, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195.7 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 82 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.5 miles or 3h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southaven, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Vancleave, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Vancleave, MS
This is one driving day of about 371.1 miles and 7h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Vancleave, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 195.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.5 and 38.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
17.5 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward I 110, MS 15, MS 67: Biloxi, Keesler Air Force Base
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 46D-B
Toward I 110, MS 15, MS 67: Biloxi, Keesler Air...
5
17.7 mi into trip|~21m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
17.9 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MS 15, MS 67: MS 15, MS 67
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 46C
Toward MS 15, MS 67: MS 15, MS 67
5
18.3 mi into trip|~23m in|MS 15; MS 67 / Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
Merge onto MS 15; MS 67 / Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
38.7 mi into trip|~47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 49 North: Hattiesburg, Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 49 North: Hattiesburg, Jackson
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.04 one way
$112.09 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$61.52
$123.05
premium
$4.56
$66.61
$133.22
diesel
$5.61
$81.93
$163.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.3
1
$38.97
$17.81
Efficient EV
92.8
1
$32.47
$14.84
EV Truck/SUV
148.4
1
$51.95
$23.75
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Vancleave, MS
Evening
in Vancleave on Saturday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Southaven, MS
Evening
in Southaven on Saturday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Florence, MS
186 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 9m 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.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
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...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 179.1
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...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 307.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 371.1-mile trip, with 99% of your travel on major roads like I-55 and US 49. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 195.7 miles on I-55, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While the majority is interstate, the inclusion of the Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway offers a brief change of pace before you merge back onto faster-paced highways. Overall, the character is one of efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 195.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 371.1 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: at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 17.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
400 ft28 ft
Total Climb
627 ft
Total Descent
345 ft
Highest Point
400 ft
~132.5 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 Vancleave, MS to Southaven, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Jackson
38.7 mi in|~47m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 9m. Total distance: 371.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 195.7 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.
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 Southaven, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 17.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Southaven, MS before the return drive.
