Origin
Southaven, MS
Night in Southaven on Wednesday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Southaven, MS to Carthage, MS
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 19m
Distance
164.8 mi
265 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 8m
★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 44m
10 AM
3h 28m
12 PM
3h 26m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Southaven, MS
大 董
Carthage, MS
Anton Ivanov
Trip Overview
This 164.8-mile drive from Southaven, Mississippi, to Carthage, Mississippi, will take you about 3 hours and 19 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's perfect for a single day, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, it's an economical option for exploring more of Mississippi. The route predominantly utilizes I-55 and MS-35, offering a familiar driving experience as you travel through the Southeast region. This journey is designed for efficiency, getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.
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
82.4 miles from Southaven, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 85% of your journey on major roads like I-55 and MS-35. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 115.8 miles on I-55, meaning you'll have ample opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While much of the drive is on high-speed corridors, you'll eventually transition to MS-35 and then Veterans Memorial Drive as you approach Carthage. This progression offers a slight change in pace, moving from the interstate to more localized roads in the final leg of your trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 115.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and MS 35. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Haleville Drive.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Southaven, MS to Carthage, MS is easy. At 3h 19m with 85% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 0.6 miles (Stateline Road West): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese 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
4
0.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Stateline Road West
Turn right onto Stateline Road West
Navigation decision point
4
117.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
MS 35; MS 430
Turn left onto MS 35; MS 430
Navigation decision point
4
141.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
South Huntington Street
Turn right onto South Huntington Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 115.8 mi | 2h 4m |
| MS 35 | 24.3 mi | 36m |
| Veterans Memorial Drive | 21.6 mi | 32m |
| South Huntington Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Stateline Road West | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Millbranch Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Haleville Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Jefferson Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 115.8 mi, about 2h 4m
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
116 mi
·
2 hr 4 min
·
I 55; I 69
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
8
Turn left onto MS 35; MS 430
24 mi
·
36 min
·
MS 35; MS 430
9
Turn left onto East Jefferson Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
East Jefferson Street
10
Turn right onto South Huntington Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Huntington Street
11
Turn right onto MS 19; MS 35
22 mi
·
32 min
·
Veterans Memorial Drive
12
Arrive at destination
MS 35
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour and 19-minute duration, this drive is best completed in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight for the 164.8-mile journey. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive, perhaps utilizing the services available along the 115.8-mile stretch of I-55. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $25 cost suggests moderate refueling needs, and be aware that I-55 can experience traffic, especially near urban areas.
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 82.4 miles from Southaven, MS, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.8 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 36 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.4 miles or 1h 30m 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 35m
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 164.8 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 115.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.4 mi from Southaven, MS · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.4 miles from Southaven, 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.
Arriving in Carthage, MS
The final approach into Carthage, 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 Carthage, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.89 one way
$49.78 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $27.32 | $54.64 |
| premium | $4.56 | $29.58 | $59.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.39 | $72.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.4 | 0 | $17.30 | $7.91 |
| Efficient EV | 41.2 | 0 | $14.42 | $6.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.9 | 0 | $23.07 | $10.55 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Carthage, MS
Night in Carthage on Wednesday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Winona, MS
82 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 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 19m 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 Southaven, MS to Carthage, MS covers 164.8 miles and takes about 3h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, MS 35, Veterans Memorial 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 82.4 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 $24.89 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 Southaven, MS to Carthage, MS is easy. At 3h 19m with 85% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 0.6 miles (Stateline Road West): Navigation decision point.
The route from Southaven, MS to Carthage, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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