Drive Time
5h 7m
Distance
281.6 mi
453 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
Photo: 大 董
If you are planning to travel from Magnolia to Southaven, expect a straightforward 281.6-mile journey that spans the length of Mississippi. The drive typically takes about 5 hours and 7 minutes, making it entirely feasible as a single-day trip. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-55, keeping the route simple and easy to navigate. Budgeting approximately $43 for fuel should cover your transit between these two Southeastern towns. Since the entire trip stays within Mississippi, you can expect a consistent regional feel from start to finish.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
140.8 miles from Magnolia, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
This route is defined by its efficiency, with 99% of the distance spent on major highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on a long, uninterrupted 278.9-mile stretch of I-55, which offers a steady rhythm for your drive. While the path remains highway-focused, the final leg transitions from the interstate onto East Bay Street and Stateline Road West as you approach your destination. Do not expect technical winding roads here; instead, anticipate a focused, high-speed interstate experience that prioritizes speed over variety. It is a functional drive designed to get you from the southern end of the state to the northern border with minimal fuss.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and East Bay Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 48 / East Bay Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 7m 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: near the start (MS 48 / East Bay Street): Navigation decision point; at 82 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 84.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto MS 48 / East Bay Street
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward Grenada, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Southaven, Horn Lake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto Five Oaks Drive North
Navigation decision point
Between Magnolia, MS and Southaven, MS, road signs point toward Grenada and Memphis.
Grenada
Memphis
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 278.9 mi | 5h 1m |
| East Bay Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Stateline Road West | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Millbranch Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Haleville Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Five Oaks Drive North | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Railroad Avenue North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Five Oaks Drive West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Magnolia, MS and Southaven, MS.
Start on West Railroad Avenue North
Turn left onto MS 48
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Take the exit
Turn left onto Stateline Road West
Turn left onto Millbranch Road
Turn right onto Haleville Drive
Turn left onto Five Oaks Drive North
Arrive at destination
Because this is a long, continuous haul, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the five-hour trek. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion as you near the Southaven area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially since you are looking at a $43 cost for the full journey. Having one planned break will make the nearly 280-mile stretch on I-55 feel significantly more manageable. Since the route is so heavily reliant on a single interstate, stay alert for any real-time traffic updates that might affect your travel time on I-55.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 80 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.8 miles or 2h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southaven, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Magnolia, 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 Magnolia, MS
This is one driving day of about 281.6 miles and 5h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 140.8 mi from Magnolia, MS · 2h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 140.8 miles from Magnolia, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 278.9 miles.
The final approach into Southaven, 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 Southaven, MS.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$43.05 one way
$86.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $47.22 | $94.44 |
| premium | $4.61 | $51.11 | $102.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $62.56 | $125.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.5 | 1 | $29.57 | $13.52 |
| Efficient EV | 70.4 | 0 | $24.64 | $11.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.6 | 1 | $39.42 | $18.02 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Magnolia on Sunday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Southaven on Sunday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
141 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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