Drive Time
1h 27m
Distance
70.5 mi
114 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
Photo: 大 董
Connecting Kosciusko to Madison, this 70.5-mile journey is a straightforward trek through the heart of Mississippi. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 27 minutes behind the wheel, making it an easy day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of roughly $11, this is a highly accessible route for travelers staying within the Southeast region. The drive relies heavily on major thoroughfares, ensuring a consistent pace from start to finish. Because the trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule.
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
35.3 miles from Kosciusko, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 92% of your time spent on major roads like MS 12 and I-55. You will navigate a transition from local state highways onto the interstate, where you will tackle the longest uninterrupted stretch of 47.3 miles. The personality of the drive leans toward efficiency rather than winding scenic detours, as it is designed to get you to your destination quickly. Expect a reliable, predictable experience as you transition from the smaller state road corridors to the higher speeds of the interstate. It is a functional, highway-focused drive that favors steady progress over technical maneuvering.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Mississippi State Highway 12. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near MS 12; MS 43.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 27m 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: at 2.3 miles (MS 12; MS 43): Navigation decision point; at 17.7 miles (US 51; MS 12 / North Jackson Street): Navigation decision point; at 18.3 miles (MS 12): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto MS 12; MS 43
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 51; MS 12 / North Jackson Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto MS 12
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward MS 463: Madison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 47.3 mi | 50m |
| Mississippi State Highway 12 | 14.5 mi | 21m |
| MS 12 | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| East Jefferson Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North Jackson Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Mulberry Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Depot Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kosciusko, MS and Madison, MS.
Start on East Jefferson Street
At end of road, turn left onto MS 12; MS 43
Continue on MS12
Continue on MS 12
Turn right onto US 51; MS 12
Turn left onto MS 12
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 55
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto MS 463
Turn slight right
Turn right onto Main Street
Turn left onto Depot Drive
Arrive at destination
Since this is a quick drive, you do not need to worry about planning long rest stops or mid-trip fatigue. You can easily complete the entire 70.5-mile distance in one go, though checking traffic conditions on I-55 before you depart is always a smart move. Given the short duration, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuter hours in the Madison area if you want a smoother arrival. Fuel up before you leave Kosciusko to keep your $11 travel budget intact and avoid unnecessary stops. The best part about this route is its simplicity, so keep your itinerary loose and enjoy the freedom of such a short travel time.
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 70.5 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.3 miles or 47m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Kosciusko, 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 Kosciusko, MS
This is one driving day of about 70.5 miles and 1h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.3 mi from Kosciusko, MS · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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
$10.78 one way
$21.56 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $11.82 | $23.64 |
| premium | $4.61 | $12.80 | $25.59 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.66 | $31.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.40 | $3.38 |
| Efficient EV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.17 | $2.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.2 | 0 | $9.87 | $4.51 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Kosciusko on Sunday
Local time
2:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Madison on Sunday
Local time
2:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
35 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 Kosciusko, MS or browse trips ending in Madison, MS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.
Explore maps for Kosciusko, MS or Madison, MS on MapSof.net.
