Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
3h 39m
Distance
170 mi
274 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brandon, MS
大 董
Clarksdale, MS
Martin Ferreira
Traveling from Brandon to Clarksdale covers 170 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 39 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively straightforward journey, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to complete the trip. Navigating the route involves a blend of Medgar Evers Boulevard, US 49W, and South Highway 61. Whether you are heading out for a quick getaway or a focused visit, the drive stays entirely within the Southeast region of Mississippi, keeping the travel environment consistent throughout your journey.
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 .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 67% of your travel time will be spent on major routes. You will find a variety of road types, transitioning from urban-adjacent corridors onto longer, more open stretches. The longest uninterrupted portion of the drive spans 46.7 miles along US 49W, allowing for a steady pace once you clear the initial departure area. While you won't face constant stops, the road's personality shifts from the busier streets near Brandon to the more consistent rhythm of the state highways, providing a predictable and efficient 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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
Take the exit onto US 49 toward US 49 North: Yazoo City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
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
Turn right onto Edwards Alley
Navigation decision point
Between Brandon, MS and Clarksdale, MS, road signs point toward Yazoo City and Vicksburg.
Yazoo City
Vicksburg
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Brandon, MS and Clarksdale, MS.
Start on US 80
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
Take the exit onto US 49
Take the exit onto US 49
Merge onto US 49
Take the exit onto US 49W
Turn left onto US 82
Turn right onto MS 448
Turn left onto MS 448
Turn right onto US 61; US 278
Turn left onto MS 161
Turn left onto Madison Avenue
Turn right onto 4th Street
Turn left onto Issaquena Avenue
Turn right onto Edwards Alley
Arrive at destination
Since the total duration is under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. I recommend accounting for at least one planned stop to break up the 170-mile trek, which helps keep your focus sharp on the highway sections. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Brandon to ensure you have enough to cover the estimated $26 cost comfortably. Because the longest stretch on US 49W is nearly 47 miles, make sure you are prepared for longer intervals without turns or major intersections. Use this efficiency to your advantage by starting early, allowing you to reach Clarksdale with plenty of daylight left for your arrival.
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85 mi from Brandon, MS · 1h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 85 miles from Brandon, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$25.99 one way
$51.98 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Brandon on Sunday
Local time
9:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Night in Clarksdale on Sunday
Local time
9:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Brandon, MS or browse trips ending in Clarksdale, MS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.
Explore maps for Brandon, MS or Clarksdale, MS on MapSof.net.