Drive Time
2h 58m
Distance
153.5 mi
247 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
Photo: Omar Tapia
Connecting Columbus to Jackson, this 153.5-mile journey is an efficient trip through the heart of Mississippi. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 58 minutes on the road, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Budgeting approximately $23 for fuel should cover your transit across these southeastern landscapes. Because the drive is straightforward and manageable, there is no need to split this into an overnight stay. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the route offers a reliable path between these two cities. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection that gets you to your destination without unnecessary complexity.
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
76.8 miles from Columbus, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 97% of your travel spent on major roads like MS 25, US 45, and US 82. You will find yourself settling into a rhythm quickly, especially during the longest stretch of the drive, which spans 125 miles along MS 25. The route maintains a consistent pace, prioritizing highway efficiency over winding local backroads. Behind the wheel, you should expect a steady, predictable experience that favors direct transit. It is a functional drive designed to minimize travel time while navigating the regional landscape.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 25 and US 45. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 69; MS 182 / Main Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 58m drive. You will face about 8 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 (MS 69; MS 182 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (MS 69; MS 182 / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 25.8 miles (MS 25): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto MS 69; MS 182 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout onto MS 69; MS 182 / Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the exit onto MS 25 toward MS 25 South: Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right onto East Pearl Street
Navigation decision point
On the drive from Columbus, MS to Jackson, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Louisville along the way.
Louisville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MS 25 | 125 mi | 2h 24m |
| US 45 | 20.9 mi | 22m |
| US 82 | 3.7 mi | 3m |
| North State Street | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Pearl Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Old Canton Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North 6th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus, MS and Jackson, MS.
Start on North 6th Street
Turn right onto MS 69; MS 182
Enter roundabout onto MS 69; MS 182
Continue on MS 69; MS 182
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 45; US 82; MS 12
Continue on US 82; MS 25
Take the exit onto MS 25
Continue on MS 25
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
Take the exit onto MS 25
At end of road, turn left onto Old Canton Road
Turn straight onto US 51
Turn right onto East Pearl Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Plan for one strategic stop along the way to break up the drive and keep your energy levels consistent. Keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on the 125-mile stretch of MS 25, so ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you commit to that long segment. Because the route is concentrated on major highways, monitor your speed and stay alert for changing traffic patterns near the city centers. Taking advantage of the quick 3-hour duration allows you to arrive in Jackson with plenty of time to spare for your afternoon plans.
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.8 miles or 1h 28m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Columbus, 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 Columbus, MS
This is one driving day of about 153.5 miles and 2h 58m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.8 mi from Columbus, MS · 1h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 76.8 miles from Columbus, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MS 25 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125 miles.
The final approach into Jackson, 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 Jackson, 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
$23.47 one way
$46.93 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $25.74 | $51.48 |
| premium | $4.61 | $27.86 | $55.72 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $34.10 | $68.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.12 | $7.37 |
| Efficient EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.43 | $6.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.4 | 0 | $21.49 | $9.82 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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 Columbus on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
3:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
77 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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Columbus, MS or browse trips ending in Jackson, MS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.
Explore maps for Columbus, MS or Jackson, MS on MapSof.net.
