How far is Columbia, MS from Tupelo, MS?
The driving distance from Columbia, MS to Tupelo, MS is about 261.8 miles (421.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 217.9 miles (350.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 04m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Suburb town of Meridian, located in Lauderdale County, Mississippi
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Tupelo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Tupelo.
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1
Start on Pittman Street
15 m · 2 sec · Pittman Street
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2
Turn left onto 2nd Street
660 ft · 20 sec · 2nd Street
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3
Turn right onto Main Street
125 m · 7 sec · Main Street
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4
Continue on Broad Street
2.1 mi · 4 min · Broad Street
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5
Continue on Old Hwy 98 East
1.5 km · 2 min · Old Hwy 98 East
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6
Take the ramp straight toward Old Hwy 98 East
57 m · 5 sec · Old Hwy 98 East
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7
Turn left
22.5 mi · 27 min
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8
Continue straight
1.2 km · 1 min
-
9
Continue straight
2453 ft · 40 sec
-
10
Continue straight
1706 ft · 26 sec
-
11
Continue straight
2.4 mi · 4 min
-
12
Take the ramp sharp left toward I 59 North: Laurel
2520 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left
82.1 mi · 1 hr 29 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
9 mi · 11 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 45 North: Macon
1383 ft · 47 sec
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16
Merge slight left
65.1 mi · 1 hr 14 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on US Highway 45 Alternate
53 mi · 1 hr 4 min · US Highway 45 Alternate
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18
Continue on Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi · 21 min · Martin Luther King Drive
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19
Continue on Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
1.5 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
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20
Take the exit slight right toward MS 6 East: Downtown Tupelo
2008 ft · 49 sec
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21
Keep slight left
52 m · 7 sec
-
22
Turn left onto East Main Street
1.1 km · 2 min · East Main Street
-
23
Turn right onto North Spring Street
70 m · 10 sec · North Spring Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Spring Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Tupelo.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 59 North
Merge slight left
82.1 mi · 01h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny leaving Columbia and Sunny near Tupelo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Tupelo?
The road trip is about 261.8 miles (421.3 km) and usually takes 04h 04m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Marion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.2 miles from Columbia and 131.5 miles from Tupelo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 217.9 miles (350.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.99 one way or $69.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Columbia and Sunny near Tupelo.
Stop Ideas Near Marion
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Marion.
Union Station
Laurel station
Thomasville, AL
Grove Hill, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Tupelo. Straight-line distance: 217.89 mi (350.66 km).
#1 Columbia
City in Mississippi, United States
| Population | 5,850 |
| Coordinates | 31.2518400, -89.8375800 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Tupelo
City in and county seat of Lee County, Mississippi, United States
| Population | 38,303 |
| Coordinates | 34.2580700, -88.7046400 |
| Altitude | 85 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Spring Street (-88.704455, 34.258074)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 421 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $34.99 | $69.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $39.35 | $78.71 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $42.74 | $85.47 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $50.03 | $100.07 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Mississippi · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.