The drive from Itawamba County, MS to Starkville, MS covers 88.9 miles and takes about 1h 55m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US Highway 45 Alternate, I 22, Martin Luther King Drive for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.7 miles on US Highway 45 Alternate.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.43 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.5 miles from Itawamba County, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 88.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 55m highway drive covering 88.9 miles, with most of the trip on US Highway 45 Alternate and I 22. The longest continuous stretch is about 35.7 miles on US Highway 45 Alternate.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 45 Alternate is the longest continuous segment at about 35.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 45 Alternate and I 22. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near South Adams Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.9 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 2.5 miles (South Adams Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 24.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in|South Adams Street
Turn left onto South Adams Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
19.3 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
24.8 mi into trip|~34m in
Turn left toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontotoc
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontot...
5
77.5 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|MS 25
Take the exit onto MS 25 toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Sta...
7
86.7 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Turn left toward MS 12 West: Ackerman
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward MS 12 West: Ackerman
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Itawamba County, MS and Starkville, MS, road signs point toward Tupelo and Pontotoc.
Tupelo
4.5 mi in|~8m
Pontotoc
24.8 mi in|~34m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 45 Alternate
35.7 mi
43m
I 22
14.2 mi
15m
Martin Luther King Drive
7.7 mi
8m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
MS 25
6.7 mi
7m
North Eason Boulevard
5.1 mi
8m
MS 178
2.4 mi
4m
MS 182
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 45 Alternate
— 35.7 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Itawamba County, MS and Starkville, MS.
1
Start on Walton Road Southwest
0.2 mi·37 sec·Walton Road Southwest
2
Turn right onto MS 178
2.4 mi·4 min·MS 178
3
Turn left onto South Adams Street
2.0 mi·3 min·South Adams Street
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward Tupelo
5
Merge onto I 22; US 78
14 mi·15 min·I 22; US 78
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Auburn Road
7
Keep slight left at fork
182 ft·6 sec
8
Turn left
115 ft·2 sec
9
Turn straight onto CR 931
0.4 mi·54 sec·Auburn Road
10
Continue on North Eason Boulevard
5.1 mi·8 min·North Eason Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, PontotocUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto US 45; MS 6
1.9 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
13
Continue on US 45; US 278
7.7 mi·8 min·Martin Luther King Drive
14
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
15
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
16
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
17
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
18
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
19
Continue on US 45 ALT
36 mi·43 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit onto MS 25
6.7 mi·7 min·MS 25
Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward MS 182 West: Starkville
22
Continue on MS 182
2.2 mi·3 min·MS 182
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn left
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward MS 12 West: AckermanUse the left lane.
24
Turn straight onto MS 12
1.7 mi·2 min·MS 12
25
Turn slight left
78 ft·5 sec
26
Turn left onto Eckford Drive
0.1 mi·34 sec·Eckford Drive
27
Continue on Victory Lane
0.2 mi·38 sec·Victory Lane
28
Turn right
214 ft·17 sec
29
Turn right
290 ft·21 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.5 miles from Itawamba County, MS, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.7 miles.
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 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.5 miles or 57m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Starkville, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Itawamba County, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Itawamba County, MS
This is one driving day of about 88.9 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Itawamba County, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 45 Alternate for about 35.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.5 mi from Itawamba County, MS
· 57m into the drive
The midpoint is around 44.5 miles from Itawamba County, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Starkville, MS
The final approach into Starkville, MS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Tupelo National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 21.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.43 one way
$26.85 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$14.74
$29.48
premium
$4.56
$15.96
$31.91
diesel
$5.61
$19.63
$39.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.7
0
$9.33
$4.27
Efficient EV
22.2
0
$7.78
$3.56
EV Truck/SUV
35.6
0
$12.45
$5.69
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Itawamba County, MS
Afternoon
in Itawamba County on Thursday
Local time
4:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Starkville, MS
Afternoon
in Starkville on Thursday
Local time
4:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
28 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 55m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Itawamba County, MS to Starkville, MS covers 88.9 miles and takes about 1h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 45 Alternate, I 22, Martin Luther King Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.5 miles from Itawamba County, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.43 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (South Adams Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 24.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Itawamba County, MS and Starkville, MS, road signs point toward Tupelo and Pontotoc.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Tupelo National Battlefield and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail.
