Drive Time
5h 26m
Distance
235.8 mi
379 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
Photo: Shaun Iwasawa
Traveling from Clarksdale to Oxford covers 235.8 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel. This route is designed as a straightforward, highway-focused drive that is best suited for a single-day journey. You should budget roughly $36 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Navigating through the Southeast, you will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares like US 61, MS 28, and US 84. Since the entire drive stays within Mississippi, you will experience a consistent regional atmosphere throughout the transit. Whether you are looking for a focused commute or a quick weekend transition, this trek is efficient enough to manage without an overnight stay.
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
117.9 miles from Clarksdale, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Expect a high-speed experience, as 92% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 61, which features a long, uninterrupted 190-mile stretch that demands steady focus. The road personality is primarily defined by these fast, open highway segments rather than winding local backroads. As you transition between the designated main roads, you will find a consistent, utilitarian pace that favors efficiency over technical maneuvering. It is a no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers who appreciate the rhythm of long-distance highway travel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 61 and MS 28. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Issaquena Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 26m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Issaquena Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (Riverside Avenue): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Issaquena Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto 4th Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto Riverside Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 61; US 278
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61 toward US 61 South: Natchez
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 61 | 190 mi | 4h |
| MS 28 | 13.8 mi | 24m |
| US 84 | 11.1 mi | 12m |
| Gloster Road | 9.8 mi | 23m |
| Oxford-Meadville Road | 6.3 mi | 15m |
| South State Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| MS 184 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Walnut Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksdale, MS and Oxford, MS.
Start on this road
Turn left onto Issaquena Avenue
Turn right onto 4th Street
At end of road, turn left onto Riverside Avenue
Continue on Madison Avenue
Turn right onto MS 161; MS 322
Turn right onto US 61; US 278
Continue on US 61; MS 14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 61
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61
Turn left onto MS 28; MS 33
Turn left onto US 84
Turn left onto MS 184
Turn right onto Walnut Street
Continue on Gloster Road
At end of road, turn right onto Gloster Road
At end of road, turn right onto Gloster Road
Continue on Oxford-Meadville Road
Arrive at destination
To keep your energy levels steady, plan for at least one substantial stop to break up the 5.5-hour duration. Because the journey relies heavily on US 61, check local traffic reports before departing to ensure your longest 190-mile stretch remains clear. Aim to leave early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially if you want to avoid peak congestion during your transit. Since you are budgeting $36 for fuel, it is wise to top off your tank before leaving Clarksdale to avoid searching for stations during the longer highway stretches. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your single stop based on your personal comfort levels along the way.
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 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.9 miles or 2h 34m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oxford, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Clarksdale, 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 Clarksdale, MS
This is one driving day of about 235.8 miles and 5h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 117.9 mi from Clarksdale, MS · 2h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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 117.9 miles from Clarksdale, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 61 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 190 miles.
The final approach into Oxford, 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 Oxford, MS.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$36.05 one way
$72.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $39.54 | $79.08 |
| premium | $4.61 | $42.80 | $85.59 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $52.39 | $104.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.7 | 0 | $24.76 | $11.32 |
| Efficient EV | 59 | 0 | $20.63 | $9.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.3 | 1 | $33.01 | $15.09 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Clarksdale on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Oxford on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
64°F
Dermott, AR
118 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
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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