Trip from Tupelo, MS to Sunflower, MS

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 24m

Distance

153.4 mi

247 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 13m ★

6 AM

3h 25m

8 AM

3h 49m

10 AM

3h 33m

12 PM

3h 31m

3 PM

3h 34m

5 PM

3h 48m

8 PM

3h 17m

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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Tupelo, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Sunflower, MS

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Trip Overview

The drive from Tupelo, MS to Sunflower, MS covers 153.4 miles and takes about 3h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on MS 7, Tuscohoma Street, Pontotoc Parkway West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56.2 miles on MS 7. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.17 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

76.7 miles from Tupelo, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 153.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 24m highway drive covering 153.4 miles, with most of the trip on MS 7 and Tuscohoma Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 56.2 miles on MS 7.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

MS 7 is the longest continuous segment at about 56.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 7 and Tuscohoma Street. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Broadway Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 153.4 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 0.1 miles (North Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 48.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Broadway Street

Turn left onto North Broadway Street

Navigation decision point

48.9 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Take the exit toward MS 7: Holly Springs, Water Valley

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

Toward MS 7: Holly Springs, Water Valley

49.1 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

55.6 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in | MS 7

Enter roundabout onto MS 7 toward MS 7 South: Water Valley

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward MS 7 South: Water Valley

153.4 mi into trip | ~3h 24m in | North Martin Luther King Jr Avenue

Turn right onto North Martin Luther King Jr Avenue

Navigation decision point

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 Tupelo, MS to Sunflower, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Water Valley along the way.

Water Valley

48.9 mi in | ~1h 3m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
MS 7	56.2 mi	1h 8m
Tuscohoma Street	34.3 mi	51m
Pontotoc Parkway West	24.4 mi	28m
North Oak Avenue	13.5 mi	20m
Pontotoc Parkway East	11.2 mi	12m
Old Highway 6	5.6 mi	7m
West Main Street	5.6 mi	11m
US 278	1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: MS 7 — 56.2 mi, about 1h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on North Spring Street

68 ft · 8 sec · North Spring Street

Turn left onto Court Street

280 ft · 17 sec · Court Street

Turn left onto North Broadway Street

298 ft · 17 sec · North Broadway Street

Turn right onto West Main Street

5.6 mi · 11 min · West Main Street

Continue on Old Highway 6

5.6 mi · 7 min · Old Highway 6

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Continue on US 278; MS 6

11 mi · 12 min · Pontotoc Parkway East

Keep slight right at fork onto US 278; MS 6

24 mi · 28 min · Pontotoc Parkway West

Continue on MS 6; US 278

0.5 mi · 35 sec · MS 6; US 278

Continue on US 278; MS 6

1.0 mi · 1 min · US 278; MS 6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward MS 7: Holly Springs, Water Valley

Keep slight left at fork

171 ft · 7 sec

Merge onto MS 7

6.5 mi · 8 min · MS 7

Enter roundabout onto MS 7

124 ft · 1 sec · MS 7

Toward MS 7 South: Water Valley

Continue on MS 7

36 mi · 41 min · MS 7

Toward MS 7 South: Water Valley

Take the exit onto MS 7

5.0 mi · 5 min · MS 7

Take the exit onto MS 7

0.2 mi · 31 sec · MS 7

Keep slight right at fork onto MS 7

8.0 mi · 11 min · MS 7

Turn right onto MS 8; MS 35

34 mi · 51 min · Tuscohoma Street

Turn left onto US 49W

13 mi · 20 min · North Oak Avenue

Turn right onto East Quiver Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · East Quiver Street

Turn right onto North Martin Luther King Jr Avenue

180 ft · 7 sec · North Martin Luther King Jr Avenue

Arrive at destination

North Martin Luther King Jr Avenue

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 76.7 miles from Tupelo, MS, or about 1h 36m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.2 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 34 miles or 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 76.7 miles or 1h 36m 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 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sunflower, 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 153.4 miles and 3h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 7 for about 56.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 76.7 mi from Tupelo, MS · 1h 36m into the drive

city in Yalobusha County, Mississippi, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Water Valley, MS

77 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

New Albany, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Water Valley, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.7 miles from Tupelo, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Sunflower, MS

The final approach into Sunflower, 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 Sunflower, MS.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Tupelo National Battlefield

National Battlefield

In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

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...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free near mile 127

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.17 one way

$46.33 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$25.43	$50.86
premium	$4.56	$27.53	$55.07
diesel	$5.61	$33.87	$67.74

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	46	$16.11	$7.36
Efficient EV	38.4	$13.42	$6.14
EV Truck/SUV	61.4	$21.48	$9.82

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Tupelo, MS

Evening in Tupelo on Thursday

Local time

6:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sunflower, MS

Evening in Sunflower on Thursday

Local time

6:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°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

3h 24m 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 Tupelo, MS to Sunflower, MS covers 153.4 miles and takes about 3h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are MS 7, Tuscohoma Street, Pontotoc Parkway West. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 76.7 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 $23.17 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.

On the drive from Tupelo, MS to Sunflower, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Water Valley along the way.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Tupelo National Battlefield, Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument.

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