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Trip from Southaven, MS to Carthage, MS

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 53m

Distance

309.5 mi

498 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 41m ★
6 AM
5h 54m
8 AM
6h 20m
10 AM
6h 3m
12 PM
6h 0m
3 PM
6h 4m
5 PM
6h 18m
8 PM
5h 46m

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 Southaven, MS, MS

Southaven, MS

大 董

Downtown Carthage, MS, MS

Carthage, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Southaven, MS to Carthage, MS covers 309.5 miles and takes about 5h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, US 61, I 20 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 185.9 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.74 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

154.7 miles from Southaven, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 185.9 mi 3h 19m
US 61 69.9 mi 1h 19m
I 20 32.8 mi 35m
Natchez Trace Parkway 6.4 mi 9m
I 220 5.9 mi 6m
Carthage Point Road 2.3 mi 8m
Medgar Evers Boulevard 2 mi 2m
Highland Boulevard 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 185.9 mi, about 3h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Southaven, MS and Carthage, 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

186 mi · 3 hr 19 min · I 55; I 69
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 220 South: West Jackson
8

Continue on I 220

5.9 mi · 6 min · I 220
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward US 49 North: Yazoo City
10

Keep slight right at fork

301 ft · 8 sec
Toward US 49 North: Yazoo City
11

Merge onto US 49

2.0 mi · 2 min · Medgar Evers Boulevard
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward NTP
13

Turn right onto Natchez Trace Parkway

6.4 mi · 9 min · Natchez Trace Parkway
14

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward 20
15

Merge onto I 20; US 80

29 mi · 31 min · I 20; US 80
16

Merge onto I 20; US 61; US 80

3.8 mi · 4 min · I 20; US 61; US 80
17

Keep slight left at fork onto US 61

70 mi · 1 hr 19 min · US 61
Toward US 61 South: Natchez Use the slight left / straight lanes.
18

Turn right onto Highland Boulevard

1.0 mi · 2 min · Highland Boulevard
19

Turn left onto Lower Woodville Road

0.8 mi · 2 min · Lower Woodville Road
20

Continue on Carthage Point Road

2.3 mi · 8 min · Carthage Point Road
21

Turn slight right

45 ft · 1 sec
22

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 154.7 miles from Southaven, MS, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.9 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 68 miles or 1h 15m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 154.7 miles or 2h 48m 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 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carthage, 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 309.5 miles and 5h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 I 55 for about 185.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jackson, MS

155 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

Batesville, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Madison, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 154.7 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 I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 185.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Roma Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clinton, Mississippi

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 199

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16014884850

Visit website

The Delta Bean Coffee Shop

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Grenada, Mississippi

2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Donut Place #2

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grenada, Mississippi

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 88.4

Hours: 5 am–1 pm

+16018121486

Quarter Boyz mc clubhouse

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grenada, Mississippi

2.9 mi

Roma Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 199

Clinton, Mississippi

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16014884850

Visit website

Las Margaritas Méxican Restaurant

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 199

Clinton, Mississippi

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16019240005

Visit website

The Delta Bean Coffee Shop

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 88.4

Grenada, Mississippi

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+16623077323

Little Tokyo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 309.5

Natchez, Mississippi

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+16013045802

Yamato Sushi & Steakhouse of Senatobia

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.1

Senatobia, MS

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+16623011478

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 265.3

Port Gibson, Mississippi

Hours: 6:30 am–11 pm

+16014481360

Visit website

Zaxbys Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately mile 22.1

Senatobia, Mississippi

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+16623018538

Visit website

Taco Bell

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour Inexpensiv mile 44.2

Batesville, Mississippi

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+16625638941

Visit website

Donut Place #2

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 88.4

Grenada, Mississippi

Hours: 5 am–1 pm

+16018121486

Sipp on Sunset

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 88.4

Grenada, Mississippi

Hours: 6:30 am–6:30 pm

Visit website

Lift Coffee Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 88.4

Grenada, Mississippi

Quarter Boyz mc clubhouse

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 88.4

Grenada, Mississippi

+16626883951

Greenhouse Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 110.5

Winona, Mississippi

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+16626336811

Happy Eats & Acai Bar, Grenada

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 88.4

Grenada, Mississippi

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+16625616063

Star donuts and coffee Winona

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 110.5

Winona, Mississippi

Hours: 5 am–1 pm

+16622296266

The Delta Bean Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 110.5

Winona, Mississippi

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Southaven, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Horn Lake, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Eaton Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 309.5

Natchez, Mississippi

+18773862273

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Memphis, Tennessee

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+19013102301

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 110.5

Winona, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 309.5

Natchez, Mississippi

+16013045378

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

1.7 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Southaven, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18776642738

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 309.5

Natchez, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16014424462

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 235.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
193.7 mi into trip | ~3h 30m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 49 North: Yazoo City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 49 North: Yazoo City
5
202.4 mi into trip | ~3h 44m in

Take the ramp toward 20

Navigation decision point

Toward 20
7
235.4 mi into trip | ~4h 20m in | US 61

Keep slight left at fork onto US 61 toward US 61 South: Natchez

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward US 61 South: Natchez

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.74 one way

$93.48 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 108 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $51.31 $102.62
premium $4.56 $55.55 $111.10
diesel $5.61 $68.33 $136.67

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 92.9 1 $32.50 $14.86
Efficient EV 77.4 0 $27.08 $12.38
EV Truck/SUV 123.8 1 $43.33 $19.81

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (67% 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

Afternoon in Southaven on Saturday

Local time

1:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Carthage, MS

Afternoon in Carthage on Saturday

Local time

1:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°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

1 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

5h 53m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 192.1
View on nps.gov
Natchez National Historical Park

Natchez National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Discover the history of all the peoples of Natchez, Mississippi, from European settlement, African enslavement, the American cotton economy, to the Civil Rights struggle on the lower Mississippi River...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 309.5
View on nps.gov
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...

28 mi from route ~71 min detour Free near mile 64
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

309.5 mi in 5h 53m, mostly highway — 185.9 mi of that is on I 55.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 185.9 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 61. 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 Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 309.5 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 193.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Southaven, MS to Carthage, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Ntp along the way.

Ntp

195.7 mi in | ~3h 33m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 309.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 185.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Carthage, MS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 193.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, Natchez National Historical Park and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Carthage, MS before the return drive.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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