This 128.1-mile drive from Walnut Grove, MS, to Tupelo, MS, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 57 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast region of Mississippi. The route primarily utilizes MS 6, Sherard Road, and Mississippi Highway 1, offering a straightforward journey. You'll find this drive to be a focused highway experience, making it a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two points without needing an overnight stay.
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 Walnut Grove, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 128.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
You'll encounter a highway-focused profile for the majority of this 128.1-mile journey, with 86% of the drive on highways. Expect a significant uninterrupted stretch of 98.2 miles on MS 6, which should provide a consistent driving pace. While the primary roads are highways, the inclusion of Sherard Road and Mississippi Highway 1 suggests you might experience some transitions in road type, but the overall feel remains geared towards efficient travel. This route is designed for covering ground effectively.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 98.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 6 and Sherard Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near MS 1 / Mississippi Highway 1.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Walnut Grove, MS to Tupelo, MS is easy. At 2h 57m with 86% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (MS 1 / Mississippi Highway 1): Navigation decision point; at 14.3 miles (MS 161; MS 322 / South State Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.8 miles (MS 6): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.9 mi into trip|~3m in|MS 1 / Mississippi Highway 1
At end of road, turn right onto MS 1 / Mississippi Highway 1
Navigation decision point
4
14.3 mi into trip|~25m in|MS 161; MS 322 / South State Street
At end of road, turn left onto MS 161; MS 322 / South State Street
Navigation decision point
5
17.8 mi into trip|~31m in|MS 6
Turn right onto MS 6
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
3
116 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
4
128 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|North Spring Street
Turn left onto North Spring Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 6
98.2 mi
2h 4m
Sherard Road
7.5 mi
13m
Mississippi Highway 1
5.9 mi
8m
West Main Street
5.7 mi
11m
Old Highway 6
5.6 mi
7m
South State Street
3.5 mi
6m
Alligator - Rena Lara Road
0.9 mi
3m
North Spring Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
MS 6
— 98.2 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Walnut Grove, MS and Tupelo, MS.
1
Start on this road
35 ft·1 sec·this road
2
Continue on Alligator - Rena Lara Road
0.9 mi·3 min·Alligator - Rena Lara Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto MS 1
5.9 mi·8 min·Mississippi Highway 1
4
Turn slight right onto MS 322
7.5 mi·13 min·Sherard Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto MS 161; MS 322
3.5 mi·6 min·South State Street
6
Turn right onto MS 6
98 mi·2 hr 4 min·MS 6
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
8
Turn straight onto Old Highway 6
5.6 mi·7 min·Old Highway 6
9
Continue on West Main Street
5.7 mi·11 min·West Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto North Spring Street
230 ft·10 sec·North Spring Street
11
Arrive at destination
North Spring Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 57-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning from Walnut Grove will allow you to reach Tupelo with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey; consider a brief break around the 98.2-mile mark on MS 6 if needed. The estimated fuel cost of $19 makes this a budget-friendly trip, so keeping your tank topped up is a good idea. Always be aware of speed limit changes as you transition between highway sections and any local roads.
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 Walnut Grove, MS, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.2 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 28 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64 miles or 1h 30m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tupelo, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Walnut Grove, 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 Walnut Grove, MS
This is one driving day of about 128.1 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Walnut Grove, 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 6 for about 98.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 64 mi from Walnut Grove, MS
· 1h 30m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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
near mile 128.1
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
near mile 128.1
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 22.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.35 one way
$38.69 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$21.24
$42.47
premium
$4.56
$22.99
$45.98
diesel
$5.61
$28.28
$56.57
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.
EV Charging Along Route
14 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
The Mall at Barnes Crossing - Tesla Supercharger
Tupelo, MS
Tesla
8 DCFC
Metro Ford Auto Sales
Tupelo, MS
FORD_CHARGE
4 DCFC
Cannon Motors
Oxford, MS
EV Connect
2 DCFC
1410 South Gloster Street Tupelo, MS 38801
Tupelo, MS
EV Connect
2 DCFC
OXFORD UTL OXFORD STA2(R)
Oxford, MS
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
OXFORD UTL OXFORD STA1(L)
Oxford, MS
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
PEPA STATION 2
Pontotoc, MS
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
PEPA STATION 1
Pontotoc, MS
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 10
EV Connect: 2
FORD_CHARGE: 1
Tesla: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.4
0
$13.45
$6.15
Efficient EV
32
0
$11.21
$5.12
EV Truck/SUV
51.2
0
$17.93
$8.20
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Walnut Grove, MS
Morning
in Walnut Grove on Saturday
Local time
7:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tupelo, MS
Morning
in Tupelo on Saturday
Local time
7:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Batesville, 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 57m 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 Walnut Grove, MS to Tupelo, MS covers 128.1 miles and takes about 2h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MS 6, Sherard Road, Mississippi Highway 1. 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 Walnut Grove, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.35 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 Walnut Grove, MS to Tupelo, MS is easy. At 2h 57m with 86% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (MS 1 / Mississippi Highway 1): Navigation decision point; at 14.3 miles (MS 161; MS 322 / South State Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.8 miles (MS 6): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Walnut Grove, MS to Tupelo, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Tupelo National Battlefield, Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
