Drive Time
4h 28m
Distance
212.7 mi
342 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
Photo: 大 董
Traveling from Newton to Southaven covers 212.7 miles and takes approximately 4 hours and 28 minutes of driving time. Because this route is easily manageable in a single day, it serves as a straightforward journey through the heart of Mississippi. You should budget about $33 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent regional atmosphere throughout the drive. Whether you are heading north for business or a weekend getaway, this highway-focused itinerary offers a reliable transit path without the need for an overnight split.
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
106.3 miles from Newton, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Expect a drive dominated by major thoroughfares, as 97% of this route consists of highway travel. You will rely primarily on I-55, North State Highway 35, and MS 35 to navigate the distance between these two Mississippi points. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 115.8-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-55, which provides a steady, efficient pace. While the drive is largely functional rather than technical, the transition between state highways and the interstate requires steady focus. Overall, the road personality is defined by consistent, high-speed transit rather than winding local backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North State Highway 35. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 19.2 miles in.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 28m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71 miles (East Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward MS 35: Raleigh, Forest
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward MS 35: Raleigh, Forest
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto East Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
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
On the drive from Newton, MS to Southaven, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Forest along the way.
Forest
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 115.8 mi | 2h 4m |
| North State Highway 35 | 47 mi | 1h 9m |
| MS 35 | 22.4 mi | 33m |
| I 20 | 11.4 mi | 12m |
| US 80 | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| Highway 35 South | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| North Jackson Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| MS 731 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Newton, MS and Southaven, 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
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto MS 35
Continue on MS 35
Turn left onto MS 731
Turn left onto East Jefferson Street
Turn right onto North Jackson Street
Continue on MS 35
Take the ramp
Merge 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
To make the most of your 4-hour and 28-minute journey, plan to depart early to avoid potential congestion on the primary highway arteries. Although the trip is short enough to drive in one go, scheduling at least one stop is advisable to break up the 212.7-mile distance and keep your energy levels consistent. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long 115.8-mile stretch on I-55, as service intervals can vary. This route’s flexibility is a major advantage, allowing you to easily adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. Prioritize checking real-time traffic updates for I-55, as this will be the most critical segment of your transit through the state.
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 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.3 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southaven, 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 212.7 miles and 4h 28m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106.3 mi from Newton, MS · 2h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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 106.3 miles from Newton, 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 115.8 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
$32.52 one way
$65.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $35.66 | $71.33 |
| premium | $4.61 | $38.60 | $77.21 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $47.25 | $94.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.8 | 0 | $22.33 | $10.21 |
| Efficient EV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.61 | $8.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.1 | 1 | $29.78 | $13.61 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Southaven on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
106 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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