This straightforward 111.3-mile drive from Jackson to Morgantown, Mississippi, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 9 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast region. The route primarily utilizes major highways, making for a predictable and efficient journey. You won't need to worry about breaking this drive up, as it's designed for a quick transit. Expect a drive that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.6 miles from Jackson, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 111.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The drive is overwhelmingly focused on highway travel, with 97% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience a highway-centric profile for almost the entire 111.3 miles. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 66 miles on US 61, offering a substantial period of consistent driving. While the route is dominated by high-speed roads, the transition between US 61 and I-20, and then onto University Boulevard, provides subtle shifts in the driving environment without demanding significant adjustments.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 61 is the longest continuous segment at about 66 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 61 and I 20. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near University Boulevard.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 9m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (University Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.6 miles (University Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 44.6 miles (US 61): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|University Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto University Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|University Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto University Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
44.6 mi into trip|~52m in|US 61
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61 toward US 61 South: Natchez
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward US 61 South: Natchez
4
110.6 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
4
110.7 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|Morgantown Road
At end of road, turn right onto Morgantown Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 61
66 mi
1h 14m
I 20
42.2 mi
47m
University Boulevard
1.7 mi
3m
Morgantown Road
0.6 mi
1m
East Pearl Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 61
— 66 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, MS and Morgantown, MS.
1
Start on East Pearl Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Pearl Street
2
Keep slight left at fork onto University Boulevard
518 ft·10 sec·University Boulevard
3
Enter roundabout onto University Boulevard
355 ft·7 sec·University Boulevard
4
Continue on University Boulevard
1.5 mi·2 min·University Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
6
Merge onto I 20; US 49
38 mi·42 min·I 20; US 49
7
Merge onto I 20; US 61; US 80
3.8 mi·4 min·I 20; US 61; US 80
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61
66 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 61
Toward US 61 South: NatchezUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Turn right
0.2 mi·36 sec
10
At end of road, turn right onto Morgantown Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Morgantown Road
11
Arrive at destination
Morgantown Road
Trip Plan
Given its short 2-hour duration, this route offers great flexibility, allowing you to depart whenever suits you best. You likely won't need extensive stops, but keep an eye on your fuel level, especially before embarking on the 66-mile stretch on US 61. The primary roads are US 61 and I-20, so plan accordingly for potential traffic, particularly if traveling during peak hours. With minimal stops recommended and a low fuel cost of around $17, this is a simple and efficient trip to undertake.
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 55.6 miles from Jackson, MS, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66 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 24 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.6 miles or 1h 4m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Morgantown, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jackson, 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 Jackson, MS
This is one driving day of about 111.3 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Jackson, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 61 for about 66 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.6 mi from Jackson, MS
· 1h 4m into the drive
The midpoint is around 55.6 miles from Jackson, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 61 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66 miles.
Arriving in Morgantown, MS
The final approach into Morgantown, 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 Morgantown, MS.
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.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
Discover the history of all the peoples of Natchez, Mississippi, from European settlement, African enslavement, the American cotton economy, to the Civil Rights struggle on the lower Mississippi River...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 111.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.81 one way
$33.62 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$18.45
$36.90
premium
$4.56
$19.98
$39.95
diesel
$5.61
$24.57
$49.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
3 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Eaton Charging Station
Natchez, Mississippi
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Natchez, Mississippi
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Natchez, Mississippi
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination: 2
Other: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.4
0
$11.69
$5.34
Efficient EV
27.8
0
$9.74
$4.45
EV Truck/SUV
44.5
0
$15.58
$7.12
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Jackson, MS
Morning
in Jackson on Friday
Local time
7:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Morgantown, MS
Morning
in Morgantown on Friday
Local time
7:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 9m 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 Jackson, MS to Morgantown, MS covers 111.3 miles and takes about 2h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 61, I 20, University Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55.6 miles from Jackson, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.81 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 is a straightforward 2h 9m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (University Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.6 miles (University Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 44.6 miles (US 61): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Jackson, MS to Morgantown, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
