Drive Time
2h
Distance
80.6 mi
130 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Photo: 大 董
If you are planning a trip from Columbia to Brandon, you are looking at a straightforward 80.6-mile journey through the Southeast. Expect to spend about two hours on the road, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Your route primarily utilizes MS 13, Highway 18, and Louis Wilson Drive to bridge the distance between these two Mississippi locations. Budgeting roughly $12 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since the entire drive stays within the same region, you will experience a consistent atmosphere throughout the transit. This highway-focused path is efficient and practical for anyone needing to move between these points without unnecessary complexity.
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
40.3 miles from Columbia, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Expect a drive defined by its highway-focused nature, with 93% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 59.2 miles along MS 13. While the drive remains consistent, the transition between these major routes keeps the pace steady and predictable. You won't encounter significant technical challenges here, as the road is designed for efficient transit rather than winding exploration. It is a functional, no-nonsense path that allows you to cover the 80.6 miles with minimal distraction.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 13 and Highway 18. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 2nd Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Columbia, MS to Brandon, MS is easy. At 2h with 93% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 61.8 miles (MS 18 / Highway 18): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto MS 18 / Highway 18
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto US 80 / East Government Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MS 13 | 59.2 mi | 1h 28m |
| Highway 18 | 16 mi | 23m |
| Louis Wilson Drive | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| East Government Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 2nd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Pittman Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MS and Brandon, MS.
Start on Pittman Street
Turn left onto 2nd Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Continue on MS 13
Turn slight right onto MS 13; MS 184
Turn left onto MS 18
Turn right onto Louis Wilson Drive
At end of road, turn left onto US 80
Arrive at destination
Because this is a relatively short two-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire trip in one go, as there are no mandatory stops required to reach your destination. Keep in mind that since the majority of your time is spent on highways, maintaining a steady speed will help you stay within your estimated $12 fuel budget. If you prefer to avoid heavy traffic, try to time your departure to miss typical commuting hours. A good rule of thumb for this route is to check your fuel levels before hitting the 59.2-mile stretch on MS 13, ensuring you have enough gas to carry you through the heart of the journey.
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 80 miles or 1h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.3 miles or 1h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brandon, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Columbia, 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 Columbia, MS
This is one driving day of about 80.6 miles and 2h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.3 mi from Columbia, MS · 1h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 Brandon, 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 Brandon, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$12.32 one way
$24.64 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $13.51 | $27.03 |
| premium | $4.61 | $14.63 | $29.26 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.91 | $35.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.46 | $3.87 |
| Efficient EV | 20.2 | 0 | $7.05 | $3.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.2 | 0 | $11.28 | $5.16 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 Columbia on Sunday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Brandon on Sunday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
40 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
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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