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Trip from Ridgeland, MS to Clarksdale, MS

Drive Time

3h 22m

Distance

144.6 mi

233 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 11m ★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 15m

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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Downtown Ridgeland, MS, MS

Ridgeland, MS

大 董

Downtown Clarksdale, MS, MS

Clarksdale, MS

Martin Ferreira

Trip Overview

The drive from Ridgeland, MS to Clarksdale, MS covers 144.6 miles and takes about 3h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 49E, I 55, Martin Luther King Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 41.4 miles on US 49E. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.11 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

72.3 miles from Ridgeland, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 22m highway drive covering 144.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 49E and I 55. The longest continuous stretch is about 41.4 miles on US 49E.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 49E is the longest continuous segment at about 41.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49E and I 55. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Jackson Street.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Ridgeland, MS to Clarksdale, MS is easy. At 3h 22m with 74% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Jackson Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 38.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 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 | West Jackson Street

Turn left onto West Jackson Street

Navigation decision point

3
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 55

Merge onto I 55

Merge point - match speed before joining

5
38.7 mi into trip | ~42m in

Take the exit toward MS 17: Lexington, Pickens

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

Toward MS 17: Lexington, Pickens
4
39 mi into trip | ~43m in | MS 17

Turn left onto MS 17

Navigation decision point

5
144.5 mi into trip | ~3h 22m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Ridgeland, MS to Clarksdale, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Pickens along the way.

Pickens

38.7 mi in | ~42m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 49E 41.4 mi 1h 2m
I 55 37.7 mi 40m
Martin Luther King Drive 24 mi 35m
US 49 13.7 mi 20m
MS 17 12.9 mi 19m
Carrollton Street 11.1 mi 16m
MS 322 1.4 mi 2m
Yazoo Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 49E — 41.4 mi, about 1h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ridgeland, MS and Clarksdale, MS.

1

Start on Old Town Crossing

41 ft · 8 sec · Old Town Crossing
2

Turn left onto West Jackson Street

0.4 mi · 44 sec · West Jackson Street
3

Turn straight onto Sunnybrook Road

511 ft · 12 sec · Sunnybrook Road
4

Continue on Old Agency Road

436 ft · 8 sec · Old Agency Road
5

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 58 sec
6

Merge onto I 55

38 mi · 40 min · I 55
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Toward MS 17: Lexington, Pickens
8

Turn left onto MS 17

13 mi · 19 min · MS 17
9

Continue on MS 17

0.4 mi · 42 sec · Yazoo Street
Use the straight lane.
10

Turn slight right onto MS 12; MS 17

202 ft · 3 sec · MS 12; MS 17
11

Continue on MS 12; MS 17

291 ft · 5 sec · MS 12; MS 17
12

Turn right onto MS 12; MS 17

11 mi · 16 min · Carrollton Street
13

Continue on US 49E

24 mi · 35 min · Martin Luther King Drive
14

Take the ramp onto US 49E

4.6 mi · 7 min · US 49E
15

Continue on US 49E

37 mi · 54 min · US 49E
16

Continue on US 49; MS 3

14 mi · 20 min · US 49; MS 3
17

Continue on MS 322

1.4 mi · 2 min · MS 322
18

Continue on Desoto Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Desoto Avenue
19

Turn left onto 4th Street

0.2 mi · 33 sec · 4th Street
20

Turn right

0.1 mi · 43 sec
21

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 72.3 miles from Ridgeland, MS, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.4 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 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.3 miles or 1h 32m 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 42m

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 Ridgeland, 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 Ridgeland, MS

This is one driving day of about 144.6 miles and 3h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ridgeland, 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 49E for about 41.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72.3 mi from Ridgeland, MS · 1h 32m into the drive

Downtown Dermott, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dermott, AR

72 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

Dermott, AR

Fuel and coffee

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

Dermott, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.3 miles from Ridgeland, 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.

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...

1 mi from route ~1 min detour Free near mile 124.6
View on nps.gov
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...

8 mi from route ~19 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.11 one way

$44.21 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $24.25 $48.49
premium $4.61 $26.24 $52.49
diesel $5.64 $32.13 $64.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.4 0 $15.18 $6.94
Efficient EV 36.2 0 $12.65 $5.78
EV Truck/SUV 57.8 0 $20.24 $9.25

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Ridgeland, MS

Morning in Ridgeland on Monday

Local time

7:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clarksdale, MS

Morning in Clarksdale on Monday

Local time

7:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

3 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 22m 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 Ridgeland, MS to Clarksdale, MS covers 144.6 miles and takes about 3h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 49E, I 55, Martin Luther King Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.3 miles from Ridgeland, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.11 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.
The drive from Ridgeland, MS to Clarksdale, MS is easy. At 3h 22m with 74% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Jackson Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 38.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Ridgeland, MS to Clarksdale, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Pickens along the way.

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