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Trip from University, MS to Tupelo, MS

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 8m

Distance

50.3 mi

81 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$8

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 16 min
4 AM
1h 3m ★
6 AM
1h 9m
8 AM
1h 19m
10 AM
1h 12m
12 PM
1h 11m
3 PM
1h 13m
5 PM
1h 19m
8 PM
1h 5m

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

Downtown University, MS, MS

University, MS

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Downtown Tupelo, MS, MS

Tupelo, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from University, MS to Tupelo, MS covers 50.3 miles and takes about 1h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on MS 6, US 278, West Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 21.2 miles on MS 6. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.60 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 8m. Total distance: 50.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 8m highway drive covering 50.3 miles, with most of the trip on MS 6 and US 278. The longest continuous stretch is about 21.2 miles on MS 6.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MS 6 is the longest continuous segment at about 21.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 6 and US 278. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South 9th Street.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from University, MS to Tupelo, MS is easy. At 1h 8m with 83% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (South 9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (MS 314 / University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (MS 334 / University Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 6 key points

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

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | South 9th Street

Turn right onto South 9th Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | MS 314 / University Avenue

Turn left onto MS 314 / University Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
1.1 mi into trip | ~3m in | MS 334 / University Avenue

Enter roundabout onto MS 334 / University Avenue

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

3
2.3 mi into trip | ~5m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

4
50.3 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in | North Spring Street

Turn left onto North Spring Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
MS 6 21.2 mi 24m
US 278 14.7 mi 16m
West Main Street 5.7 mi 11m
Old Highway 6 5.6 mi 7m
University Avenue 2 mi 4m
Tyler Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
South 9th Street <0.1 mi <1m
North Spring Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: MS 6 — 21.2 mi, about 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Tyler Avenue

0.2 mi · 48 sec · Tyler Avenue
2

Turn right onto South 9th Street

376 ft · 23 sec · South 9th Street
3

Turn left onto MS 314

0.9 mi · 2 min · University Avenue
4

Enter roundabout onto MS 334

0.1 mi · 18 sec · University Avenue
5

Continue on MS 334

1.0 mi · 1 min · University Avenue
6

Turn right

340 ft · 15 sec
7

Turn slight left

122 ft · 5 sec
8

Turn left onto MS 6; US 278

21 mi · 24 min · MS 6; US 278
9

Continue on US 278; MS 6

15 mi · 16 min · US 278; MS 6
10

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
11

Turn straight onto Old Highway 6

5.6 mi · 7 min · Old Highway 6
12

Continue on West Main Street

5.7 mi · 11 min · West Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Turn left onto North Spring Street

230 ft · 10 sec · North Spring Street
14

Arrive at destination

North Spring Street

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 25.1 mi from University, MS · 32m into the drive

city in Mississippi, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pontotoc, MS

25 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.

Popular next leg

Pontotoc, MS to Tupelo, MS

18.4 mi · 31m

Pacing Suggestions

Oxford, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Pontotoc, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 25.1 miles from University, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Tupelo, MS

The final approach into Tupelo, MS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$7.60 one way

$15.19 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 18 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $8.34 $16.68
premium $4.56 $9.03 $18.06
diesel $5.61 $11.11 $22.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$8

Estimated CO2 emission: 17.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 15.1 0 $5.28 $2.41
Efficient EV 12.6 0 $4.40 $2.01
EV Truck/SUV 20.1 0 $7.04 $3.22

Gas CO2

18 kg

EV CO2

6 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

University, MS

Afternoon in University on Thursday

Local time

3:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tupelo, MS

Afternoon in Tupelo on Thursday

Local time

3:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

1h 8m 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 University, MS to Tupelo, MS covers 50.3 miles and takes about 1h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MS 6, US 278, West Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 25.1 miles from University, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.60 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.
The drive from University, MS to Tupelo, MS is easy. At 1h 8m with 83% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (South 9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (MS 314 / University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (MS 334 / University Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from University, MS to Tupelo, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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