Origin
Tupelo, MS
Afternoon in Tupelo on Saturday
Local time
1:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tupelo, MS to Walnut Grove, MS
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
128 mi
206 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 46m
★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 5m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tupelo, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Walnut Grove, MS
Zulfugar Karimov
Trip Overview
Tupelo, MS to Walnut Grove, MS is 128 miles and takes about 2 hours 56 minutes via US 278, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Mississippi, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, single-day trip ideal for those looking for an efficient journey between these two locations. With a highway share of 89%, you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained roads. Plan for just one stop on this relatively short, manageable route.
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
64 miles from Tupelo, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 278 | 62.3 mi | 1h 22m |
| Pontotoc Parkway West | 24.4 mi | 28m |
| Pontotoc Parkway East | 11.2 mi | 12m |
| Sherard Road | 7.5 mi | 13m |
| Mississippi Highway 1 | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| Old Highway 6 | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| West Main Street | 5.6 mi | 11m |
| MS 161 | 3.5 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
US 278
— 62.3 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tupelo, MS and Walnut Grove, MS.
1
Start on North Spring Street
68 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Spring Street
2
Turn left onto Court Street
280 ft
·
17 sec
·
Court Street
3
Turn left onto North Broadway Street
298 ft
·
17 sec
·
North Broadway Street
4
Turn right onto West Main Street
5.6 mi
·
11 min
·
West Main Street
5
Continue on Old Highway 6
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Old Highway 6
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
7
Continue on US 278; MS 6
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Pontotoc Parkway East
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278; MS 6
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Pontotoc Parkway West
9
Continue on MS 6; US 278
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
MS 6; US 278
10
Continue on US 278; MS 6
62 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
US 278; MS 6
11
Turn left onto MS 161
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
MS 161
12
Turn right onto MS 322
7.5 mi
·
13 min
·
Sherard Road
13
Turn straight onto MS 1
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Mississippi Highway 1
14
Turn left onto Alligator - Rena Lara Road
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Alligator - Rena Lara Road
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 56 minute duration, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day, making it flexible to start whenever you prefer. The $19 fuel estimate is quite reasonable, so you likely won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient spot along US 278 to stretch your legs or grab a quick bite. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before departing Tupelo, as the longest stretch without a major road change is over 60 miles.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64 miles from Tupelo, MS, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.3 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 28 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64 miles or 1h 23m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Walnut Grove, 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 128 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 US 278 for about 62.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64 miles from Tupelo, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 127.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Court Street
Turn left onto Court Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Broadway Street
Turn left onto North Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Main Street
Turn right onto West Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
23 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
US 278; MS 6 / Pontotoc Parkway West
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278; MS 6 / Pontotoc Parkway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
127.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
|
Alligator - Rena Lara Road
Turn left onto Alligator - Rena Lara Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.33 one way
$38.66 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $21.22 | $42.44 |
| premium | $4.56 | $22.97 | $45.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.26 | $56.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.44 | $6.14 |
| Efficient EV | 32 | 0 | $11.20 | $5.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.2 | 0 | $17.92 | $8.19 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Walnut Grove, MS
Afternoon in Walnut Grove on Saturday
Local time
1:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Oxford, MS
64 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
22 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
2h 56m 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.
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 106
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the journey utilizing main roads like US 278, Pontotoc Parkway West, and Pontotoc Parkway East. You'll experience a consistent driving pace for the most part, including a longest stretch of 62.3 miles on US 278 without needing to make a major turn. Expect a smooth ride that prioritizes reaching your destination efficiently rather than winding through scenic backroads. The character remains largely highway-like throughout its duration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 278 is the longest continuous segment at about 62.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 278 and Pontotoc Parkway West. 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.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Tupelo, MS to Walnut Grove, MS is easy. At 2h 56m with 89% 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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 128 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Tupelo, MS to Walnut Grove, MS covers 128 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 278, Pontotoc Parkway West, Pontotoc Parkway East. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64 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 $19.33 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 Tupelo, MS to Walnut Grove, MS is easy. At 2h 56m with 89% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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.
The route from Tupelo, MS to Walnut Grove, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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