Skip to main content

Trip from Oxford, MS to Clarksdale, MS

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 30m

Distance

252 mi

406 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 17m ★
6 AM
5h 30m
8 AM
5h 57m
10 AM
5h 40m
12 PM
5h 37m
3 PM
5h 41m
5 PM
5h 56m
8 PM
5h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Oxfordshire, England

Oxford, MS

Wikimedia Commons

city in and the county seat of Coahoma County, Mississippi, United States of America

Clarksdale, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Oxford, MS to Clarksdale, MS covers 252 miles and takes about 5h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, US 49W, South Highway 61 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 53.4 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.06 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

126 miles from Oxford, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 252 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 30m highway drive covering 252 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and US 49W. The longest continuous stretch is about 53.4 miles on I 55.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 53.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 49W. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 95.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 252 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 95.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98 miles (US 49): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
95.2 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in

Take the exit toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 92C Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo...
7
95.4 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo...
5
98 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in | US 49

Take the exit onto US 49 toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson, Yazoo City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson,...
5
143 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in | US 49W

Take the exit onto US 49W toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vicksburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vic...
5
252 mi into trip | ~5h 30m in | Edwards Alley

Turn right onto Edwards Alley

Navigation decision point

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Oxford, MS and Clarksdale, MS, road signs point toward Yazoo City and Vicksburg.

Yazoo City

95.2 mi in | ~2h 6m

Vicksburg

143 mi in | ~3h 5m | via US 49W

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 53.4 mi 57m
US 49W 46.7 mi 56m
South Highway 61 43.9 mi 54m
Medgar Evers Boulevard 39.5 mi 48m
US 84 22.9 mi 26m
North Sunflower Avenue 13.5 mi 23m
Gloster Road 6.5 mi 15m
Oxford-Meadville Road 6.3 mi 15m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 53.4 mi, about 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Oxford, MS and Clarksdale, MS.

1

Start on Oxford-Meadville Road

6.3 mi · 15 min · Oxford-Meadville Road
2

Continue on Gloster Road

2.8 mi · 6 min · Gloster Road
3

At end of road, turn left onto Gloster Road

3.8 mi · 9 min · Gloster Road
4

Continue on Yap 3 Road

2.6 mi · 6 min · Yap 3 Road
5

Turn left onto US 98

1.8 mi · 2 min · United States Highway 98
6

Turn right onto MS 184

1.4 mi · 2 min · Old US Hwy 84
7

Turn right onto US 84

23 mi · 26 min · US 84
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
9

Merge onto I 55

53 mi · 57 min · I 55
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

0.2 mi · 13 sec · I 55
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Exit 92C Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
13

Merge onto I 20; US 49

2.4 mi · 2 min · I 20; US 49
14

Take the exit onto US 49

5.2 mi · 6 min · US 49
Toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson, Yazoo City
15

Take the exit onto US 49

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 49
Toward US 49 North: Yazoo City
16

Merge onto US 49

39 mi · 48 min · Medgar Evers Boulevard
17

Take the exit onto US 49W

47 mi · 56 min · US 49W
Toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vicksburg
18

Turn left onto US 82

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 82
19

Turn right onto MS 448

13 mi · 23 min · North Sunflower Avenue
20

Turn left onto MS 448

1.1 mi · 2 min · MS 448
21

Turn right onto US 61; US 278

44 mi · 54 min · South Highway 61
22

Turn left onto MS 161

2.1 mi · 3 min · MS 161
23

Turn left onto Madison Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Madison Avenue
24

Turn right onto 4th Street

0.3 mi · 55 sec · 4th Street
25

Turn left onto Issaquena Avenue

436 ft · 21 sec · Issaquena Avenue
26

Turn right onto Edwards Alley

158 ft · 11 sec · Edwards Alley
27

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 126 miles from Oxford, MS, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.4 miles.

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 55 miles or 1h 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 126 miles or 2h 44m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarksdale, MS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Oxford, 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 Oxford, MS

This is one driving day of about 252 miles and 5h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Oxford, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 53.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 126 mi from Oxford, MS · 2h 44m into the drive

city in Mississippi, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Yazoo City, MS

126 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Brookhaven, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Yazoo City, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 126 miles from Oxford, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Clarksdale, MS

The final approach into Clarksdale, 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 Clarksdale, MS.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.06 one way

$76.12 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $41.78 $83.56
premium $4.56 $45.23 $90.46
diesel $5.61 $55.64 $111.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 88.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 75.6 0 $26.46 $12.10
Efficient EV 63 0 $22.05 $10.08
EV Truck/SUV 100.8 1 $35.28 $16.13

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Oxford, MS

Morning in Oxford on Thursday

Local time

10:29 AM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clarksdale, MS

Morning in Clarksdale on Thursday

Local time

10:29 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

3 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 30m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Oxford, MS to Clarksdale, MS covers 252 miles and takes about 5h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, US 49W, South Highway 61. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126 miles from Oxford, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.06 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 252 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 95.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98 miles (US 49): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Oxford, MS and Clarksdale, MS, road signs point toward Yazoo City and Vicksburg.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Clarksdale, MS to Oxford, MS

Plan the drive back the other way.

235.8 mi 5h 26m

More trips to Clarksdale, MS

Explore more options from Oxford, MS or browse trips ending in Clarksdale, MS.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.

Explore maps for Oxford, MS or Clarksdale, MS on MapSof.net.