Origin
Tupelo, MS
Late night in Tupelo on Friday
Local time
3:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 43m
Distance
171.8 mi
277 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tupelo, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Richton, MS
大 董
This 171.8-mile journey from Tupelo, MS to Richton, MS is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 43 minutes. With 98% of the route on highways, including I-55 and US 82, you'll cover significant ground efficiently. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $26, making it an economical option. This drive primarily stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent travel experience as you head south. It's a practical choice if you're looking for a direct route 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
85.9 miles from Tupelo, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 43m. Total distance: 171.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 171.8-mile trip, with 98% of your travel time spent on main roads like I-55 and US 82. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 65.1 miles on I-55, allowing for steady progress. While much of the drive is on faster-paced highways, the integration of the Natchez Trace Parkway adds a different pace to a portion of the journey. This mix means you'll experience both efficient travel and a more contemplative drive.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Natchez Trace Parkway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Court Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Tupelo, MS to Richton, MS is easy. At 3h 43m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Court Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto North Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto West Main Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto MS 15
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward MS 22: Canton, Flora
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 65.1 mi | 1h 9m |
| Natchez Trace Parkway | 45.4 mi | 1h 8m |
| US 82 | 40.2 mi | 47m |
| MS 15 | 11.5 mi | 18m |
| MS 22 | 5.5 mi | 9m |
| West Main Street | 2.9 mi | 6m |
| County Road 285 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Broadway Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Tupelo, MS and Richton, MS.
Start on North Spring Street
Turn left onto Court Street
Turn left onto North Broadway Street
Turn right onto West Main Street
Turn left
At end of road, turn left onto Natchez Trace Parkway
Turn right onto County Road 285
At end of road, turn left onto MS 15
Take the ramp onto MS 15
Continue on US 82
Take the exit
Merge onto I 55
Take the exit
Turn right onto MS 22
Arrive at destination
Given the 3-hour and 43-minute duration, this 171.8-mile route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving Tupelo earlier in the day will allow you to arrive in Richton with ample time to spare. With the longest stretch being 65.1 miles, plan for one primary stop around the halfway point to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between I-55 and US 82, to ensure you're prepared for the 98% highway driving.
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.
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 38 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.9 miles or 2h 5m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richton, MS than in the middle of the route.
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 171.8 miles and 3h 43m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.9 mi from Tupelo, MS · 2h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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.
A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 85.9 miles from Tupelo, 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 65.1 miles.
The final approach into Richton, 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 Richton, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.95 one way
$51.89 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $28.48 | $56.96 |
| premium | $4.56 | $30.84 | $61.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.93 | $75.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.5 | 0 | $18.04 | $8.25 |
| Efficient EV | 43 | 0 | $15.03 | $6.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.7 | 0 | $24.05 | $11.00 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Tupelo on Friday
Local time
3:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Richton on Friday
Local time
3:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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