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Trip from Brandon, MS to Clarksdale, MS

Drive Time

3h 39m

Distance

170 mi

274 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Clarksdale, MS, MS

Photo: Martin Ferreira

Trip Overview

The drive from Brandon, MS to Clarksdale, MS covers 170 miles and takes about 3h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 49W, South Highway 61, Medgar Evers Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.7 miles on US 49W. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.99 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

85 miles from Brandon, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 39m highway drive covering 170 miles, with most of the trip on US 49W and South Highway 61. The longest continuous stretch is about 46.7 miles on US 49W.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 49W is the longest continuous segment at about 46.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49W and South Highway 61. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13.3 miles in near I 20; US 49.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 170 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 13.3 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16 miles (US 49): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.3 miles (US 49): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
13.3 mi into trip | ~16m 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
16 mi into trip | ~19m in | US 49

Take the exit onto US 49 toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson, Yazoo City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson,...
4
21.3 mi into trip | ~25m in | US 49

Take the exit onto US 49 toward US 49 North: Yazoo City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 49 North: Yazoo City
5
61 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in | US 49W

Take the exit onto US 49W toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vicksburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vic...
5
170 mi into trip | ~3h 39m in | Edwards Alley

Turn right onto Edwards Alley

Navigation decision point

Towns Along This Route

Between Brandon, MS and Clarksdale, MS, road signs point toward Yazoo City and Vicksburg.

Yazoo City

13.3 mi in | ~16m | via I 20; US 49

Vicksburg

61 mi in | ~1h 14m | via US 49W

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 49W 46.7 mi 56m
South Highway 61 43.9 mi 54m
Medgar Evers Boulevard 39.5 mi 48m
North Sunflower Avenue 13.5 mi 23m
I-20 10.1 mi 11m
US 49 5.5 mi 6m
I 20 4.3 mi 5m
MS 161 2.1 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 49W — 46.7 mi, about 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Brandon, MS and Clarksdale, MS.

1

Start on US 80

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Government Street
Use the straight lane.
2

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
3

Merge onto I 20

10 mi · 11 min · I-20
4

Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49

1.6 mi · 2 min · I 20; I 55; US 49
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49

2.7 mi · 3 min · I 20; US 49
Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
6

Take the exit onto US 49

5.2 mi · 6 min · US 49
Toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson, Yazoo City
7

Take the exit onto US 49

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 49
Toward US 49 North: Yazoo City
8

Merge onto US 49

39 mi · 48 min · Medgar Evers Boulevard
9

Take the exit onto US 49W

47 mi · 56 min · US 49W
Toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vicksburg
10

Turn left onto US 82

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 82
11

Turn right onto MS 448

13 mi · 23 min · North Sunflower Avenue
12

Turn left onto MS 448

1.1 mi · 2 min · MS 448
13

Turn right onto US 61; US 278

44 mi · 54 min · South Highway 61
14

Turn left onto MS 161

2.1 mi · 3 min · MS 161
15

Turn left onto Madison Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Madison Avenue
16

Turn right onto 4th Street

0.3 mi · 55 sec · 4th Street
17

Turn left onto Issaquena Avenue

436 ft · 21 sec · Issaquena Avenue
18

Turn right onto Edwards Alley

158 ft · 11 sec · Edwards Alley
19

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 85 miles from Brandon, MS, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.7 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 85 miles or 1h 44m 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 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarksdale, MS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Brandon, 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 Brandon, MS

This is one driving day of about 170 miles and 3h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brandon, 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 49W for about 46.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 85 mi from Brandon, MS · 1h 44m into the drive

Downtown Dermott, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dermott, AR

85 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Dermott, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dermott, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85 miles from Brandon, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Clarksdale, MS

The final approach into Clarksdale, MS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Clarksdale, MS.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.99 one way

$51.98 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $28.51 $57.01
premium $4.61 $30.85 $61.71
diesel $5.64 $37.77 $75.54

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51 0 $17.85 $8.16
Efficient EV 42.5 0 $14.87 $6.80
EV Truck/SUV 68 0 $23.80 $10.88

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% 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

Local time and weather at both ends of the drive

Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.

Forecast data refreshed 7 hours ago

Origin

Brandon, MS

Late night in Brandon on Sunday

Local time

3:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Mostly Clear

SSE 5 mph 0% chance CDT NWS forecast

Destination

Clarksdale, MS

Late night in Clarksdale on Sunday

Local time

3:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Mostly Clear

SSE 5 mph 0% chance CDT NWS forecast

Along the Route

64°F

Dermott, AR

85 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

3 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

3h 39m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Brandon, MS to Clarksdale, MS covers 170 miles and takes about 3h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 49W, South Highway 61, Medgar Evers Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85 miles from Brandon, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.99 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 170 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.3 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16 miles (US 49): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.3 miles (US 49): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Between Brandon, MS and Clarksdale, MS, road signs point toward Yazoo City and Vicksburg.

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