Drive Time
20m
Distance
12.8 mi
21 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Photo: 大 董
If you are looking for a quick transition from the heart of Jackson to Madison, this 12.8-mile journey is an efficient way to get across town. Expect to spend about 20 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. Since the entire route is local, your fuel costs will be minimal, likely staying around $2. Navigating through the Southeast, you will find this path straightforward and easy to manage. It is an ideal connection for locals or travelers needing to bridge the gap between these two Mississippi cities without the complexity of a long-distance haul.
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
6.4 miles from Jackson, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Forget about highway cruising on this trip, as the route is comprised entirely of local surface streets. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating North State Street, which accounts for a 12.1-mile stretch of the total journey. Because the path relies on East Capitol Street and Main Street, it functions as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint. With a highway share of 0%, you should prepare for frequent intersections and standard city traffic patterns. The experience is purely urban, requiring you to stay alert through the various turns that define this short, 20-minute excursion.
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 20m 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 Capitol Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.3 miles (East Capitol Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto South Lamar Street
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto East Capitol Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto East Capitol Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
At end of road, turn left onto US 51 / North State Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Depot Drive
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North State Street | 12.1 mi | 18m |
| East Capitol Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Pearl Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Lamar Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Depot Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, MS and Madison, MS.
Start on East Pearl Street
Turn right onto South Lamar Street
Enter roundabout onto East Capitol Street
Continue on East Capitol Street
Enter roundabout onto East Capitol Street
Continue on East Capitol Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 51
Turn left onto Main Street
Turn right onto Depot Drive
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short 12.8-mile drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for rest stops or overnight stays, as the entire duration is just 20 minutes. Keep in mind that because the route is entirely local, your pace will be dictated by city traffic flow rather than open-road speed limits. To ensure a smooth transit, pay close attention to your navigation when switching between North State Street and Main Street. This route is all about efficiency, so it is best treated as a direct commute rather than a leisurely sightseeing tour.
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 12.8 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.4 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, 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 12.8 miles and 20m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.4 mi from Jackson, MS · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 Madison, 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 Madison, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$1.96 one way
$3.91 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $2.15 | $4.29 |
| premium | $4.61 | $2.32 | $4.65 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.84 | $5.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.34 | $0.61 |
| Efficient EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.12 | $0.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.79 | $0.82 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
2:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Madison on Sunday
Local time
2:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
6 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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