Traveling from Waynesboro to Southaven covers 274.4 miles through the heart of Mississippi, a journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 40 minutes. This route is designed as a straightforward one-day trip, making it manageable if you prefer to reach your destination without an overnight stop. You can expect to spend approximately $42 on fuel for the trek, so factor that into your travel budget before heading out. Because the route stays entirely within the Southeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the southern part of the state toward the northern border. It is a practical drive for those looking to traverse the state efficiently, though the turn-heavy nature of the roads means you should stay alert throughout the journey.
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
145.4 miles from Waynesboro, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 45
117.3 mi
2h 15m
I 22
83.7 mi
1h 29m
US Highway 45 Alternate
53 mi
1h 3m
Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi
20m
Goodman Road
8.3 mi
12m
Mississippi Drive
3.4 mi
5m
Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
3.3 mi
4m
I 55
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 45
— 117.3 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waynesboro, MS and Southaven, MS.
1
Start on MS 184
0.3 mi·33 sec·Azalea Drive
2
Turn left onto MS 145
3.4 mi·5 min·Mississippi Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 45
2.0 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 45
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 45
1.7 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 45
1.8 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 45
6.3 mi·7 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 45
5.6 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 45
3.5 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 45
4.7 mi·5 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 45
5.3 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 45
3.7 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 45
1.3 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 45
79 mi·1 hr 30 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, TupeloUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi·20 min·Martin Luther King Drive
17
Continue on US 45; MS 6
3.3 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
1.6 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 78:west: Memphis
20
Merge onto I 22; US 78
84 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 22; US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward MS 302: Olive Branch Southaven
22
Keep slight left at fork
195 ft·10 sec
23
Turn left onto MS 302
8.3 mi·12 min·Goodman Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward Memphis
25
Merge onto I 55; I 69
1.4 mi·1 min·I 55; I 69
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake
27
Turn left onto Stateline Road West
0.4 mi·53 sec·Stateline Road West
28
Turn left onto Millbranch Road
0.2 mi·36 sec·Millbranch Road
29
Turn right onto Haleville Drive
0.2 mi·53 sec·Haleville Drive
30
Turn left onto Five Oaks Drive North
0.1 mi·28 sec·Five Oaks Drive North
31
Arrive at destination
Five Oaks Drive West
Trip Plan
For a smooth journey, aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight during your 4-hour and 40-minute drive. Since the route involves only one planned stop, use your break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the roads. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $42 estimate is a baseline that can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local road conditions. Because this is a local drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected traffic or road work along the way. A pro tip for this specific trip: since you are navigating local roads like Mississippi Drive and Martin Luther King Drive, ensure your GPS is updated to handle the frequent turns and urban transitions.
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 145.4 miles from Waynesboro, MS, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.3 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 64 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.4 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 37m
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 Waynesboro, 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 Waynesboro, MS
This is one driving day of about 290.7 miles and 5h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Waynesboro, 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 45 for about 117.3 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 279.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.6 mi into trip|~6m in|US 45
At end of road, turn left onto US 45
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
119.3 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupel...
6
193.7 mi into trip|~3h 49m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
195.5 mi into trip|~3h 51m in|I 22; US 78
Merge onto I 22; US 78
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
279.4 mi into trip|~5h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.90 one way
$87.81 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$48.19
$96.39
premium
$4.56
$52.18
$104.35
diesel
$5.61
$64.18
$128.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.2
1
$30.52
$13.95
Efficient EV
72.7
0
$25.44
$11.63
EV Truck/SUV
116.3
1
$40.70
$18.60
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 20, 2026
Origin
Waynesboro, MS
Late night
in Waynesboro on Tuesday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Southaven, MS
Late night
in Southaven on Tuesday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Columbus, MS
145 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
2 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
5h 40m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on experience behind the wheel, as this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will navigate via Mississippi Drive, Highway 45, and Martin Luther King Drive, which collectively offer a rhythm quite different from high-speed highway travel. With a highway share of 0%, you should prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace that requires constant attention to road changes and local traffic patterns. The route demands active driving, so settle in for a journey that prioritizes local connectivity over rapid transit. While there is no single longest stretch of uninterrupted highway, the variety of roads keeps the drive engaging as you move across the Mississippi landscape.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.3 mi on US 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 45 and I 22. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in near US 45.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 290.7 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 3.6 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 119.3 miles (US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.7 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Waynesboro, MS to Southaven, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Tupelo along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 40m. Total distance: 290.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.3 miles on US 45. 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 119.3 miles (US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.7 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 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.
