Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
80 mi
129 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Photo: Omar Tapia
Traveling from Philadelphia to Jackson covers 80 miles across the heart of Mississippi. You should plan for a duration of approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively short distance, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $12 on fuel for the journey. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, the climate and general atmosphere remain consistent throughout your transit. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Mississippi hubs.
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
40 miles from Philadelphia, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
This highway-focused drive relies heavily on MS 25 and MS 16 to get you to your destination, with 94% of the trip spent on highways. You will experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 44.6 miles while cruising on MS 25, which defines the bulk of your time on the road. As you approach the capital, the route transitions onto North State Street, shifting from open highway pacing to a more urban driving environment. The road maintains a steady, consistent flow, making it ideal for those who prefer predictable asphalt over winding, technical backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 25 and MS 16. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 16; MS 19; MS 21 / West Beacon Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Philadelphia, MS to Jackson, MS is easy. At 1h 46m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 16; MS 19; MS 21 / West Beacon Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (MS 16): Navigation decision point; at 32.6 miles (MS 25): Merge point - match speed before joining.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto MS 16; MS 19; MS 21 / West Beacon Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto MS 16
Navigation decision point
Merge onto MS 25
Merge point - match speed before joining
At end of road, turn left onto Old Canton Road
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto East Pearl Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MS 25 | 44.6 mi | 52m |
| MS 16 | 30.1 mi | 44m |
| North State Street | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| West Beacon Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| MS 15 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East Pearl Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Old Canton Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Front Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, MS and Jackson, MS.
Start on Front Street
Turn left onto MS 16; MS 19; MS 21
Turn straight onto MS 15; MS 21
Turn right onto MS 16
Take the ramp
Merge onto MS 25
At end of road, turn left onto Old Canton Road
Turn straight onto US 51
Turn right onto East Pearl Street
Arrive at destination
Given the manageable 1 hour and 46 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 80-mile distance in one go, as there are no mandated stops required to finish the trip comfortably. Since fuel costs are quite low at approximately $12, you might consider filling up before you leave Philadelphia to avoid searching for stations in heavier traffic near Jackson. Keep a close eye on your speed as you transition from the long MS 25 stretch into the local traffic patterns of North State Street. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to focus on a stress-free arrival at your final destination.
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 80 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40 miles or 57m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, MS
This is one driving day of about 80 miles and 1h 46m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40 mi from Philadelphia, MS · 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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
$12.23 one way
$24.46 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $13.41 | $26.83 |
| premium | $4.61 | $14.52 | $29.04 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.77 | $35.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24 | 0 | $8.40 | $3.84 |
| Efficient EV | 20 | 0 | $7.00 | $3.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32 | 0 | $11.20 | $5.12 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
40 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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