Drive Time
6h 7m
Distance
318.3 mi
512 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
Photo: 大 董
Traveling from Wiggins to Southaven covers 318.3 miles across Mississippi, taking approximately 6 hours and 7 minutes of pure drive time. Because this route is almost entirely highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $49 in fuel to make the trek. You will primarily navigate via US 49 and I-55 as you transition from the Southeast region toward the Memphis metropolitan area. It is a straightforward, functional drive that prioritizes efficiency over exploration, making it ideal for those focused on reaching their destination quickly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
159.1 miles from Wiggins, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .
This trip is defined by its high-speed efficiency, with 99% of your travel occurring on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-55, which accounts for a significant 195.7-mile stretch of the journey. While US 49 handles the initial portion of your route, the experience is largely a focused interstate grind. Expect a consistent pace as you transition from the smaller roads near Wiggins onto the high-capacity lanes of the interstate. It is a predictable drive that requires steady focus rather than technical maneuvering, allowing you to cover long distances with minimal variation in road type.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 49. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East College Avenue.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 318.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 (East College Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 119.7 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto East College Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49 toward Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward Southaven, Horn Lake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto Five Oaks Drive North
Navigation decision point
On the drive from Wiggins, MS to Southaven, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Jackson
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 195.7 mi | 3h 31m |
| US 49 | 118.8 mi | 2h 27m |
| North Magnolia Drive | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Stateline Road West | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Millbranch Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Haleville Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East College Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Five Oaks Drive North | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Wiggins, MS and Southaven, MS.
Start on South 2nd Street
Turn left onto East College Avenue
Turn right onto MS 29; MS 149
Turn slight left onto MS 149
Turn right onto US 49
Continue on US 49
Turn straight onto US 49
Continue on US 49; MS 42
Continue on US 49
Continue on US 49
Continue on US 49
Continue on US 49
Take the exit onto US 49
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Merge onto I 55
Take the exit
Turn left onto Stateline Road West
Turn left onto Millbranch Road
Turn right onto Haleville Drive
Turn left onto Five Oaks Drive North
Arrive at destination
Since this is a one-day trip, planning your departure early helps you avoid potential congestion as you near the busier northern end of the state. You only need to build in one major stop to stay refreshed during the 6-hour and 7-minute duration. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before starting the 195.7-mile stretch on I-55, as consistent highway speeds can deplete your tank faster than expected. Utilizing the $49 fuel budget efficiently means filling up before you hit the longest interstate segments. Flexibility is your best asset here, so consider timing your single stop to coincide with a meal break to make the most of your time on the road.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 80 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.1 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southaven, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Wiggins, 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 Wiggins, MS
This is one driving day of about 318.3 miles and 6h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 159.1 mi from Wiggins, MS · 3h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
159 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 159.1 miles from Wiggins, 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 195.7 miles.
The final approach into Southaven, 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 Southaven, MS.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$48.66 one way
$97.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $53.37 | $106.74 |
| premium | $4.61 | $57.77 | $115.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $70.72 | $141.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.5 | 1 | $33.42 | $15.28 |
| Efficient EV | 79.6 | 0 | $27.85 | $12.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 127.3 | 1 | $44.56 | $20.37 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Wiggins on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Southaven on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
159 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
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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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