Drive Time
29m
Distance
23.1 mi
37 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
If you are looking to travel between Brandon and Ridgeland, this 23.1-mile journey is a quick, straightforward trip that takes about 29 minutes to complete. Because of the short distance, this is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won’t need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $4 for fuel to cover the distance, making it a very cost-effective commute. The route primarily utilizes I-20 and I-55, keeping you within the Southeast region for the duration of the trip. Since the drive is entirely contained within Mississippi, it offers a seamless transition between the two cities without any complex navigation hurdles. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that prioritizes efficiency for drivers moving through the central part of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
11.6 miles from Brandon, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Expect a drive that is heavily focused on major highways, as 86% of your time will be spent on high-speed roads. You will spend the bulk of your journey navigating the interstate system, with the longest uninterrupted stretch occurring over 10.7 miles on I-55. The transition from local streets like East Government Street onto the primary interstates defines the character of this trip, shifting quickly from local traffic to a steady highway pace. Because the route relies so heavily on I-20 and I-55, the experience is consistent and predictable rather than winding or technical. You can anticipate a standard, efficient drive that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination without significant deviations.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I-20. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near I 20 / I-20.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 23.1 miles you will encounter 7 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 1.5 miles (I 20 / I-20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.3 miles: 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.
Merge onto I 20 / I-20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 55 North: North Jackson, Grenada
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Ridgeland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto Old Agency Road
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Old Town Crossing
Navigation decision point
On the drive from Brandon, MS to Ridgeland, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Grenada along the way.
Grenada
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 10.7 mi | 13m |
| I-20 | 9.2 mi | 10m |
| East Government Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| West Jackson Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Old Agency Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Sunnybrook Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Old Town Crossing | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Brandon, MS and Ridgeland, MS.
Start on US 80
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20
Take the exit
Merge onto I 55
Take the exit
Turn right onto Old Agency Road
Continue on Sunnybrook Road
Continue on West Jackson Street
Turn right onto Old Town Crossing
Arrive at destination
Given the short 29-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though monitoring local traffic patterns on I-55 is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any scheduled stops along the way, as the drive is short enough to handle in one go. Keep your fuel budget at $4 as a baseline, but remember that idling in heavy interstate traffic could slightly increase your consumption. Since the vast majority of this route is highway-focused, ensure your vehicle is comfortable for sustained speeds before heading out. A concrete tip for this specific trip is to pay close attention to the merge onto I-55, as this is the most critical transition point for your travel time.
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.
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 23.1 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.6 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ridgeland, 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 23.1 miles and 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.6 mi from Brandon, MS · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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.
The final approach into Ridgeland, 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 Ridgeland, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$3.53 one way
$7.06 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $3.87 | $7.75 |
| premium | $4.61 | $4.19 | $8.39 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.13 | $10.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.9 | 0 | $2.43 | $1.11 |
| Efficient EV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.02 | $0.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.23 | $1.48 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Brandon on Sunday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Ridgeland on Sunday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
12 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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