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Trip from Tupelo, MS to Cleary, MS

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

4h 7m

Distance

202.1 mi

325 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 54m ★
6 AM
4h 7m
8 AM
4h 33m
10 AM
4h 16m
12 PM
4h 14m
3 PM
4h 18m
5 PM
4h 32m
8 PM
3h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Tupelo, MS, MS

Tupelo, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Cleary, MS, MS

Cleary, MS

大 董

Trip Overview

This 202.1-mile journey from Tupelo to Cleary, Mississippi, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 7 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 90% of the drive utilizing major roads like MS 25 and US Highway 45 Alternate. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, this trip offers a budget-friendly option for exploring within Mississippi. It's a straightforward drive that can be completed comfortably in one go, making it an ideal day trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently.

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

101 miles from Tupelo, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 7m. Total distance: 202.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this trip, with 90% of your time spent on faster roads. You'll experience a lengthy stretch of 133.5 miles on MS 25, which forms the backbone of this route. While the majority is on highways like MS 25 and US Highway 45 Alternate, the inclusion of Martin Luther King Drive suggests a transition into more local thoroughfares as you approach your destination. This blend means you'll mostly be covering distance quickly, with opportunities for brief changes in scenery as you navigate the final segments.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MS 25 is the longest continuous segment at about 133.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 25 and US Highway 45 Alternate. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Court Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 202.1 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Court Street

Turn right onto Court Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Front Street

Turn right onto North Front Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Main Street

Turn left onto East Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
54.9 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in | MS 25

Take the exit onto MS 25 toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville

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

Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Sta...
4
66.6 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in | MS 25

Take the exit onto MS 25 toward MS 25 South: Louisville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward MS 25 South: Louisville

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
MS 25 133.5 mi 2h 33m
US Highway 45 Alternate 35.7 mi 43m
Martin Luther King Drive 8.7 mi 10m
US 45 ALT 7.2 mi 8m
Highway 49 South 5.1 mi 7m
Flowood Drive 4.1 mi 7m
Cleary Road 4 mi 9m
Martin Luther King, Junior Drive 2.3 mi 2m
Longest stretch: MS 25 — 133.5 mi, about 2h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tupelo, MS and Cleary, MS.

1

Start on North Spring Street

68 ft · 5 sec · North Spring Street
2

Turn right onto Court Street

317 ft · 16 sec · Court Street
3

Turn right onto North Front Street

287 ft · 15 sec · North Front Street
4

Turn left onto East Main Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
Use the left lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec
6

Merge onto US 45; MS 6

1.0 mi · 1 min · Martin Luther King Drive
7

Continue on US 45; MS 6

2.3 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
8

Continue on US 45; US 278

7.7 mi · 8 min · Martin Luther King Drive
9

Continue on US 45 ALT

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 45 ALT
10

Continue on US 45 ALT

2.2 mi · 2 min · US 45 ALT
11

Continue on US 45 ALT

1.5 mi · 1 min · US 45 ALT
12

Continue on US 45 ALT

0.7 mi · 49 sec · US 45 ALT
13

Continue on US 45 ALT

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 45 ALT
14

Continue on US 45 ALT

36 mi · 43 min · US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
15

Take the exit onto MS 25

12 mi · 13 min · MS 25
Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville
16

Take the exit onto MS 25

5.0 mi · 6 min · MS 25
Toward MS 25 South: Louisville
17

Continue on MS 25

1.9 mi · 2 min · MS 25
Use the left lane.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25

25 mi · 28 min · MS 25
19

Take the exit onto MS 25

90 mi · 1 hr 43 min · MS 25
20

Turn left onto Treetop Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Treetop Boulevard
21

Turn right onto MS 468

4.1 mi · 7 min · Flowood Drive
22

Continue on Highway 49 South

5.1 mi · 7 min · Highway 49 South
23

Turn right onto Cleary Road

4.0 mi · 9 min · Cleary Road
24

Arrive at destination

Cleary Road

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour duration, starting your drive from Tupelo in the morning will allow you to reach Cleary with ample time to spare. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 133.5 miles on MS 25, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before or during this segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $31, it's wise to fill up before departing Tupelo to ensure you have plenty for the journey. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, but an early start is recommended to maximize your time upon arrival.

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 101 miles from Tupelo, MS, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.5 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 44 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 101 miles or 2h 1m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleary, MS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Tupelo, 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 Tupelo, MS

This is one driving day of about 202.1 miles and 4h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Tupelo, 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 MS 25 for about 133.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 101 mi from Tupelo, MS · 2h 1m into the drive

city in Mississippi, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Philadelphia, MS

101 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

Starkville, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Philadelphia, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101 miles from Tupelo, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before MS 25 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133.5 miles.

Arriving in Cleary, MS

The final approach into Cleary, 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 Cleary, 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

$30.52 one way

$61.04 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $33.51 $67.01
premium $4.56 $36.27 $72.55
diesel $5.61 $44.62 $89.24

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.6 0 $21.22 $9.70
Efficient EV 50.5 0 $17.68 $8.08
EV Truck/SUV 80.8 1 $28.29 $12.93

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Tupelo, MS

Late night in Tupelo on Friday

Local time

1:52 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cleary, MS

Late night in Cleary on Friday

Local time

1:52 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

79°F

Philadelphia, MS

101 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

16 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

4h 7m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Tupelo, MS to Cleary, MS covers 202.1 miles and takes about 4h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MS 25, US Highway 45 Alternate, 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 101 miles from Tupelo, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.52 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 202.1 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tupelo, MS to Cleary, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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