Origin
Starkville, MS
Late night in Starkville on Monday
Local time
4:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Starkville, MS to Clarksdale, MS
Drive Time
3h 16m
Distance
144.1 mi
232 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 4m
★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 22m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Starkville, MS
大 董
Clarksdale, MS
Martin Ferreira
Trip Overview
The drive from Starkville, MS to Clarksdale, MS covers 144.1 miles and takes about 3h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 82, US 49E, US 49 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.4 miles on US 82. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.03 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 miles from Starkville, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 3h 16m highway drive covering 144.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 82 and US 49E. The longest continuous stretch is about 86.4 miles on US 82.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 82 is the longest continuous segment at about 86.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 82 and US 49E. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Starkville, MS to Clarksdale, MS is easy. At 3h 16m with 97% 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: Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (MS 12): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (South Jackson Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
MS 12
Turn right onto MS 12
Navigation decision point
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
South Jackson Street
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
3.8 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
143.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 82 | 86.4 mi | 1h 45m |
| US 49E | 37.8 mi | 56m |
| US 49 | 13.7 mi | 20m |
| South Jackson Street | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| MS 322 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Desoto Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| MS 12 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 4th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 82
— 86.4 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Starkville, MS and Clarksdale, MS.
1
Start on the route
289 ft
·
27 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left
213 ft
·
16 sec
3
Continue on Victory Lane
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Victory Lane
4
Continue on Eckford Drive
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
Eckford Drive
5
Turn right onto MS 12
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
MS 12
6
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South Jackson Street
7
Take the ramp left
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
8
Merge slight left
86 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
9
Continue straight
1.1 mi
·
1 min
10
Continue straight
37 mi
·
54 min
11
Continue straight
14 mi
·
20 min
12
Continue straight
1.4 mi
·
2 min
13
Continue on Desoto Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Desoto Avenue
14
Turn left onto 4th Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
4th Street
15
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
44 sec
16
Arrive at your 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 miles from Starkville, MS, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.4 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72 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 35m
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 Starkville, 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 Starkville, MS
This is one driving day of about 144.1 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Starkville, 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 82 for about 86.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72 mi from Starkville, MS · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72 miles from Starkville, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 82 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.4 miles.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.03 one way
$44.06 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $24.16 | $48.32 |
| premium | $4.61 | $26.15 | $52.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.01 | $64.03 |
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: 50.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.13 | $6.92 |
| Efficient EV | 36 | 0 | $12.61 | $5.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.17 | $9.22 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
Clarksdale, MS
Late night in Clarksdale on Monday
Local time
4:01 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
4 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 16m 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 Starkville, MS to Clarksdale, MS covers 144.1 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 82, US 49E, US 49. 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 miles from Starkville, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.03 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 Starkville, MS to Clarksdale, MS is easy. At 3h 16m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (MS 12): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (South Jackson Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Starkville, MS to Clarksdale, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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