Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
181.4 mi
292 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
Photo: 大 董
The drive from Philadelphia, MS to Southaven, MS covers 181.4 miles and takes about 3h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, MS 19, MS 35 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 115.8 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.73 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
90.7 miles from Philadelphia, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
This is a 3h 45m highway drive covering 181.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and MS 19. The longest continuous stretch is about 115.8 miles on I 55.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and MS 19. 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 / Main Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Philadelphia, MS to Southaven, MS is easy. At 3h 45m with 96% 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 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (MS 21 / Pecan Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point.
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 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto MS 21 / Pecan Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn left
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
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 115.8 mi | 2h 4m |
| MS 19 | 34.8 mi | 51m |
| MS 35 | 22.4 mi | 33m |
| Pecan Avenue | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| North Jackson Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| MS 731 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Stateline Road West | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, MS and Southaven, MS.
Start on Front Street
Turn left onto MS 16; MS 19; MS 21
Turn left onto MS 21
Turn left
Continue on MS 19
Turn right onto MS 19; 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
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 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.7 miles or 2h 6m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southaven, 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 181.4 miles and 3h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 90.7 mi from Philadelphia, MS · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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 90.7 miles from Philadelphia, 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
$27.73 one way
$55.46 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $30.42 | $60.83 |
| premium | $4.61 | $32.92 | $65.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $40.30 | $80.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.05 | $8.71 |
| Efficient EV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.87 | $7.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.6 | 0 | $25.40 | $11.61 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
91 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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