The drive from Pearl, MS to Clarksdale, MS covers 161.9 miles and takes about 3h 31m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 49W, South Highway 61, Medgar Evers Boulevard for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.7 miles on US 49W.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.45 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80.9 miles from Pearl, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 161.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 31m highway drive covering 161.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 49W and South Highway 61. The longest continuous stretch is about 46.7 miles on US 49W.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 49W is the longest continuous segment at about 46.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49W and South Highway 61. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Pine Park Drive.
Driving Effort6/10
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 161.9 miles you will encounter 17 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: near the start (Pine Park Drive): Navigation decision point; at 5.2 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles (US 49): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Pine Park Drive
Turn right onto Pine Park Drive
Navigation decision point
6
5.2 mi into trip|~7m in|I 20; US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49 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
7.9 mi into trip|~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
52.9 mi into trip|~1h 6m 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
161.9 mi into trip|~3h 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.
On the drive from Pearl, MS to Clarksdale, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Vicksburg along the way.
Vicksburg
52.9 mi in|~1h 6m|via US 49W
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49W
46.7 mi
56m
South Highway 61
43.9 mi
54m
Medgar Evers Boulevard
39.5 mi
48m
North Sunflower Avenue
13.5 mi
23m
I 20
6.9 mi
8m
US 49
5.5 mi
6m
MS 161
2.1 mi
3m
MS 448
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 49W
— 46.7 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pearl, MS and Clarksdale, MS.
1
Start on Old Country Club Road
79 ft·3 sec·Old Country Club Road
2
Turn right onto Pine Park Drive
76 ft·8 sec·Pine Park Drive
3
Turn left onto Old Brandon Road
0.3 mi·44 sec·Old Brandon Road
4
Turn left onto MS 468
0.5 mi·52 sec·South Pearson Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
6
Merge onto I 20
2.5 mi·3 min·I 20
7
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.6 mi·2 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
2.7 mi·3 min·I 20; US 49
Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
9
Take the exit onto US 49
5.2 mi·6 min·US 49
Toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson, Yazoo City
10
Take the exit onto US 49
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 49
Toward US 49 North: Yazoo City
11
Merge onto US 49
39 mi·48 min·Medgar Evers Boulevard
12
Take the exit onto US 49W
47 mi·56 min·US 49W
Toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vicksburg
13
Turn left onto US 82
0.7 mi·1 min·US 82
14
Turn right onto MS 448
13 mi·23 min·North Sunflower Avenue
15
Turn left onto MS 448
1.1 mi·2 min·MS 448
16
Turn right onto US 61; US 278
44 mi·54 min·South Highway 61
17
Turn left onto MS 161
2.1 mi·3 min·MS 161
18
Turn left onto Madison Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Madison Avenue
19
Turn right onto 4th Street
0.3 mi·55 sec·4th Street
20
Turn left onto Issaquena Avenue
436 ft·21 sec·Issaquena Avenue
21
Turn right onto Edwards Alley
158 ft·11 sec·Edwards Alley
22
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 80.9 miles from Pearl, MS, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.7 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 36 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.9 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 52m
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 Pearl, 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 Pearl, MS
This is one driving day of about 161.9 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Pearl, 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 US 49W for about 46.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.9 mi from Pearl, MS
· 1h 40m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
National Monument
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 161.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.45 one way
$48.90 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$26.84
$53.68
premium
$4.56
$29.06
$58.12
diesel
$5.61
$35.75
$71.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.6
0
$17.00
$7.77
Efficient EV
40.5
0
$14.17
$6.48
EV Truck/SUV
64.8
0
$22.67
$10.36
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Pearl, MS
Late night
in Pearl on Friday
Local time
5:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clarksdale, MS
Late night
in Clarksdale on Friday
Local time
5:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Indianola, MS
81 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
22 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Pearl, MS to Clarksdale, MS covers 161.9 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 49W, South Highway 61, Medgar Evers Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.9 miles from Pearl, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.45 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 161.9 miles you will encounter 17 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: near the start (Pine Park Drive): Navigation decision point; at 5.2 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles (US 49): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Pearl, MS to Clarksdale, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Vicksburg along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
