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Trip from Pearl, MS to Clarksdale, MS

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

3h 31m

Distance

161.9 mi

261 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 19m ★
6 AM
3h 31m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 37m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 24m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Rankin County, Mississippi, United States

Pearl, 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 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 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 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

city in Mississippi, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Indianola, MS

81 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

Yazoo City, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Belzoni, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.9 miles from Pearl, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument

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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 11.2
View on nps.gov
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument

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
View on nps.gov

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/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 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

Night in Pearl on Thursday

Local time

9:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clarksdale, MS

Night in Clarksdale on Thursday

Local time

9:48 PM

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.

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