Drive Time
1h 15m
Distance
63.8 mi
103 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Photo: Omar Tapia
If you are looking to get from Newton to Jackson, Mississippi, this straightforward 63.8-mile drive is an ideal day trip. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 15 minutes behind the wheel, making it a quick connection between these two Southeast locations. With a fuel budget of approximately $10, it is an incredibly cost-effective route for a simple commute or a short getaway. Because the duration is so manageable, there is no need for an overnight stay unless your schedule requires it. Relying primarily on I-20 and US-80, the path is designed for efficiency rather than leisure. Whether you are traveling for business or visiting family, this drive offers a practical, no-fuss way to navigate across the state.
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
31.9 miles from Newton, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 95% of your travel taking place on major roads like I-20. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the interstate, including a single longest stretch of 54.1 miles that allows for consistent cruising. While you will eventually transition through West Church Street to reach your destination, the experience is defined by the high-speed nature of the primary highways. Do not expect many technical turns or winding backroads here; the route prioritizes speed and direct access over scenic detours. You should prepare for a focused, steady drive that moves quickly from the rural landscape of Newton into the heart of Jackson.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 80. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Church Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 15m 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: near the start (West Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 7.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto West Church Street
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
Merge point - match speed before joining
Take the exit toward US 51 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 54.1 mi | 58m |
| US 80 | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| West Church Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| South State Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| East Pearl Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Newton, MS and Jackson, MS.
Start on South Main Street
Turn left onto West Church Street
Continue on West Church Street
Turn straight onto US 80
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 51
Turn left onto East Pearl Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short trip with zero mandatory stops, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around traffic patterns in Jackson. Aim to leave during off-peak hours if you want to ensure the 1-hour and 15-minute estimate holds true throughout the journey. Because your longest stretch on I-20 spans over 54 miles, make sure your fuel tank is topped off before leaving Newton to avoid unnecessary stops along the interstate. Keep in mind that because the route is entirely highway-focused, your driving experience will be fairly repetitive. Use this short window of time to catch up on a podcast or audiobook, as the lack of required stops gives you a rare chance to reach your destination without interruption.
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 63.8 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.9 miles or 39m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Newton, 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 Newton, MS
This is one driving day of about 63.8 miles and 1h 15m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.9 mi from Newton, MS · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$9.75 one way
$19.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $10.70 | $21.40 |
| premium | $4.61 | $11.58 | $23.16 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $14.17 | $28.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.3 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 | 19.1 | 0 | $6.70 | $3.06 |
| Efficient EV | 16 | 0 | $5.58 | $2.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.93 | $4.08 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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 Newton on Sunday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
32 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.
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