Southaven, MS to Belmont, MS is 305.1 miles and takes about 6h 4m via US 45 and US 78, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a highway-focused drive that's efficient for getting you from point A to point B. Given the 6-hour duration and comfortable fuel cost, it's a solid choice for a single-day journey if you're looking to cover ground without excessive stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
152.6 miles from Southaven, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 4m. Total distance: 305.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This drive is primarily a highway experience, with 95% of the route utilizing major roads like US 45 and US 78. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 83.7 miles on US 45, offering a consistent pace. The profile suggests a focus on efficient travel rather than winding backroads. Expect a straightforward journey where the main roads dictate the rhythm of your drive, making it predictable and easy to navigate.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 45 is the longest continuous segment at about 83.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 45 and US 78. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Haleville Drive.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 305.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Haleville Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Millbranch Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Haleville Drive
Turn right onto Haleville Drive
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Millbranch Road
At end of road, turn left onto Millbranch Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
5
2.9 mi into trip|~5m in|MS 302 / Goodman Road West
At end of road, turn left onto MS 302 / Goodman Road West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
231.9 mi into trip|~4h 30m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 45
83.7 mi
1h 37m
US 78
83.4 mi
1h 29m
US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 45 Alternate
54.7 mi
1h 6m
Goodman Road West
8.3 mi
12m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
Buckatunna Millry Road
3.4 mi
13m
I 55
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 45
— 83.7 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southaven, MS and Belmont, MS.
1
Start on Five Oaks Drive West
0.1 mi·30 sec·Five Oaks Drive West
2
Turn right onto Haleville Drive
0.2 mi·53 sec·Haleville Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto Millbranch Road
0.2 mi·38 sec·Millbranch Road
4
Turn right onto Stateline Road West
0.3 mi·29 sec·Stateline Road West
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
6
Merge onto I 55; I 69
1.2 mi·1 min·I 55; I 69
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
8
At end of road, turn left onto MS 302
8.3 mi·12 min·Goodman Road West
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
10
Merge onto US 78
83 mi·1 hr 29 min·US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward US 45:south: Tupelo
12
Merge onto US 45
14 mi·17 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
14
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
15
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
16
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
17
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
18
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
19 mi·21 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 45
0.7 mi·46 sec·US 45
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 45
3.7 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 45
5.4 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 45
5.5 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 45
2.7 mi·3 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 45
1.7 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
28
Continue on US 45
9.8 mi·11 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 45
2.0 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on US 45
4.9 mi·5 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on US 45
11 mi·12 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi·27 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
33
Continue on Buckatunna Mount Zion Road
0.1 mi·26 sec·Buckatunna Mount Zion Road
34
Turn right onto Buckatunna Millry Road
0.7 mi·2 min·Buckatunna Millry Road
35
Continue on Buckatunna Millry Road
2.6 mi·10 min·Buckatunna Millry Road
36
Arrive at destination
Buckatunna Millry Road
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Southaven in the morning to maximize daylight and comfortably complete the 6-hour drive to Belmont. Since this is a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your schedule. Plan for one main stop along the way to stretch your legs and refuel; the longest stretch without a break is 83.7 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on longer segments on US 45. The straightforward nature of the main roads means you can focus on enjoying the drive.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 152.6 miles from Southaven, MS, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.7 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 67 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.6 miles or 2h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belmont, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Southaven, 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 Southaven, MS
This is one driving day of about 305.1 miles and 6h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Southaven, 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 45 for about 83.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 152.6 mi from Southaven, MS
· 2h 58m into the drive
The midpoint is around 152.6 miles from Southaven, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.7 miles.
Arriving in Belmont, MS
The final approach into Belmont, 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 Belmont, 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.
Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 94.7
Park Closure: Partial Closure of Rocky Springs Trail
Park Closure: Temporary Blackland Prairie Trail Closure to Equestrians
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.5
1
$32.04
$14.64
Efficient EV
76.3
0
$26.70
$12.20
EV Truck/SUV
122
1
$42.71
$19.53
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Southaven, MS
Morning
in Southaven on Saturday
Local time
7:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Belmont, MS
Morning
in Belmont on Saturday
Local time
7:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Columbus, MS
153 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 4m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Southaven, MS to Belmont, MS covers 305.1 miles and takes about 6h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 45, US 78, US Highway 45 Aiternate. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 152.6 miles from Southaven, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.08 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 305.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Haleville Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Millbranch Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Southaven, MS to Belmont, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
