Drive Time
31m
Distance
26.1 mi
42 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Photo: Francesco Ungaro
If you are looking for a quick excursion through the Southeast, the 26.1-mile journey from Jackson to Crystal Springs is a straightforward trip that takes about 31 minutes to complete. Because of the short distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, meaning you can easily head down and back without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via South State Street, US 51, and West Georgetown Street. With a fuel budget of roughly $4, it is an economical drive that fits well into a busy schedule. Whether you are running errands or just exploring the local area, this transition between Mississippi communities remains efficient and budget-friendly.
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
13 miles from Jackson, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy, local driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate grind. While the highway share accounts for only 8 percent of the trip, the majority of your time will be spent navigating local roads. You will settle into your longest stretch of the drive on South State Street, which spans 22.7 miles of the total distance. The road requires your full attention as you move through these corridors, offering a more hands-on feel behind the wheel compared to a high-speed highway cruise. Because the route is concentrated on local streets, you should prepare for a steady, consistent pace as you transition between these two Mississippi towns.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Lamar Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 31m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Lamar Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East Pascagoula Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (US 51 / South State Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto South Lamar Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto East Pascagoula Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 51 / South State Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward US 51: Crystal Springs North, Utica
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto MS 801
Navigation decision point
On the drive from Jackson, MS to Crystal Springs, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Utica along the way.
Utica
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South State Street | 22.7 mi | 25m |
| US 51 | 2 mi | 3m |
| West Georgetown Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Pascagoula Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Pearl Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Lamar Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| MS 801 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Georgetown Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, MS and Crystal Springs, MS.
Start on East Pearl Street
Turn left onto South Lamar Street
Turn left onto East Pascagoula Street
Turn right onto US 51
Take the exit
Continue on US 51; MS 27
Turn right onto MS 801
Continue on US 51
Turn left onto West Georgetown Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is such a brief 31-minute drive, you have the luxury of total flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to stress over complex pacing or mid-trip rest stops, as the 26.1-mile distance is manageable in one go. Keep in mind that because this route relies heavily on South State Street, you should account for typical local traffic patterns that might occur during peak hours. Budgeting about $4 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire trip, but it is always smart to fill up before you leave Jackson to avoid any unnecessary stops. Use the short duration to your advantage by planning your arrival to Crystal Springs exactly when you want to be there.
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 26.1 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crystal Springs, MS than in the middle of the route.
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 26.1 miles and 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13 mi from Jackson, MS · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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 Crystal Springs, 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 Crystal Springs, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$3.99 one way
$7.98 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $4.38 | $8.75 |
| premium | $4.61 | $4.74 | $9.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.80 | $11.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.74 | $1.25 |
| Efficient EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.28 | $1.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.65 | $1.67 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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 Jackson on Sunday
Local time
3:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Crystal Springs on Sunday
Local time
3:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
13 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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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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