Trip from Pontotoc, MS to Starkville, MS

Drive Time

1h 44m

Distance

80.5 mi

130 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min

4 AM

1h 37m ★

6 AM

1h 45m

8 AM

2h 0m

10 AM

1h 50m

12 PM

1h 48m

3 PM

1h 51m

5 PM

1h 59m

8 PM

1h 40m

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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Pontotoc, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Starkville, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Pontotoc, MS to Starkville, MS covers 80.5 miles and takes about 1h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US Highway 45 Alternate, Corridor V, US 278 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.7 miles on US Highway 45 Alternate. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.31 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

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

40.2 miles from Pontotoc, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 1h 44m highway drive covering 80.5 miles, with most of the trip on US Highway 45 Alternate and Corridor V. The longest continuous stretch is about 35.7 miles on US Highway 45 Alternate.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US Highway 45 Alternate is the longest continuous segment at about 35.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 45 Alternate and Corridor V. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 18.1 miles in near US 278.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 18.1 miles (US 278): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69 miles (MS 25): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

18.1 mi into trip | ~25m in | US 278

Take the exit onto US 278 toward US 45 South, US 278 East: Amory, Columbus

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

Use the right lane. Toward US 45 South, US 278 East: Amory, Columbu...

69 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in | MS 25

Take the exit onto MS 25 toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville

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

Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Sta...

75.7 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in

Take the exit toward MS 182 West: Starkville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward MS 182 West: Starkville

78.2 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in

Turn left toward MS 12 West: Ackerman

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward MS 12 West: Ackerman

80.1 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | Eckford Drive

Turn left onto Eckford Drive

Navigation decision point

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Pontotoc, MS to Starkville, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Columbus along the way.

Columbus

18.1 mi in | ~25m | via US 278

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US Highway 45 Alternate	35.7 mi	43m
Corridor V	11.2 mi	13m
US 278	8 mi	9m
US 45 ALT	7.2 mi	8m
MS 25	6.7 mi	7m
East Oxford Street	3.9 mi	6m
MS 182	2.2 mi	3m
Pontotoc Parkway East	1.8 mi	2m

Longest stretch: US Highway 45 Alternate — 35.7 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pontotoc, MS and Starkville, MS.

Start on East Marion Street

54 ft · 3 sec · East Marion Street

Turn right onto MS 41

0.3 mi · 36 sec · South Main Street

Turn slight right

175 ft · 3 sec

Turn slight right onto East Oxford Street

3.9 mi · 6 min · East Oxford Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 50 sec

Merge onto US 278; MS 6

1.8 mi · 2 min · Pontotoc Parkway East

Continue on US 278; MS 6

11 mi · 13 min · Corridor V

Continue on US 278; MS 6

0.6 mi · 58 sec · South Green Street

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto US 278

8.0 mi · 9 min · US 278

Toward US 45 South, US 278 East: Amory, Columbus Use the right lane.

Continue on US 45 ALT

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 45 ALT

Continue on US 45 ALT

2.2 mi · 2 min · US 45 ALT

Continue on US 45 ALT

1.5 mi · 1 min · US 45 ALT

Continue on US 45 ALT

0.7 mi · 49 sec · US 45 ALT

Continue on US 45 ALT

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 45 ALT

Continue on US 45 ALT

36 mi · 43 min · US Highway 45 Alternate

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto MS 25

6.7 mi · 7 min · MS 25

Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec

Toward MS 182 West: Starkville

Continue on MS 182

2.2 mi · 3 min · MS 182

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward MS 12 West: Ackerman Use the left lane.

Turn straight onto MS 12

1.7 mi · 2 min · MS 12

Turn slight left

78 ft · 5 sec

Turn left onto Eckford Drive

0.1 mi · 34 sec · Eckford Drive

Continue on Victory Lane

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Victory Lane

Turn right

214 ft · 17 sec

Turn right

290 ft · 21 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 40.2 miles from Pontotoc, MS, or about 51m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.7 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 80 miles or 1h 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 40.2 miles or 51m 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 26m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Pontotoc, 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 Pontotoc, MS

This is one driving day of about 80.5 miles and 1h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pontotoc, MS.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on US Highway 45 Alternate for about 35.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 40.2 mi from Pontotoc, MS · 51m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bear Creek, AL

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Bear Creek, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bear Creek, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40.2 miles from Pontotoc, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Starkville, MS

The final approach into Starkville, 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 Starkville, 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

$12.31 one way

$24.61 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.26	$13.50	$27.00
premium	$4.61	$14.61	$29.22
diesel	$5.64	$17.88	$35.77

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: 28.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	24.2	$8.45	$3.86
Efficient EV	20.1	$7.04	$3.22
EV Truck/SUV	32.2	$11.27	$5.15

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.

Forecast data refreshed 7 hours ago

Origin

Pontotoc, MS

Afternoon in Pontotoc on Monday

Local time

2:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Starkville, MS

Afternoon in Starkville on Monday

Local time

2:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Mostly Sunny

S 5 to 10 mph 9% chance Live forecast

Along the Route

83°F

Bear Creek, AL

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

Same local time

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

Temperature spread

20 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

1h 44m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Pontotoc, MS to Starkville, MS covers 80.5 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US Highway 45 Alternate, Corridor V, US 278. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 40.2 miles from Pontotoc, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.31 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

On the drive from Pontotoc, MS to Starkville, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Columbus along the way.

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Trip from Pontotoc, MS to Starkville, MS

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Starkville, MS

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Pontotoc, MS

Starkville, MS

Same local time

20 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 44m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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