7 Great Road Trips to Take in Mississippi

What comes to mind when you hear ‘Mississippi,’ other than its fame for the Mississippi River? In the Southeastern region of the United States, “The Hospitality State” is one of the best places to relax on the Gulf Coast or experience the full breadth of the land with an old-fashioned road trip.

Over 10,000 years ago, Native Americans arrived in the region now referred to as the American South. Today, people come to explore the Natchez Trace Parkway, visit the birthplace of Elvis Presley, and, of course, experience the Mississippi Blues Trail. Driving down the open roads is the best way to experience all that “The Magnolia State” has to offer!

Jackson to Natchez

There is a lot to see along this 2-hour drive. Jackson is a big place with much history, so you can fill up on gas while enjoying the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum or the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. As you begin to head south and the open road lies ahead, a detour to Brookhaven City Park is a must if you need a place to unwind. Emerald Mound lies to the west, and this historic landmark is the second-largest ceremonial mound in the United States. Finally, when you get to Natchez, you will encounter the prized Mississippi River, the Louisiana border, and a number of great places. One of them is the Natchez Trace Parkway, a historic trail that dates back thousands of years to Native American use.

Hattiesburg to Laurel

This 35-mile route passes through De Soto National Forest, which means great hiking opportunities and the scent of longleaf pine. Instead of heading directly to Laurel, you can head south and enjoy Paul B. Johnson State Park, which packs some great picnic spots and a large lake for fishing. From there, you can start heading north to Leatha’s Bar-B-Que Inn—a must-visit for Southern barbecue lovers—before heading north. You will most likely pass through Ellisville, where you can refuel and enjoy a meal before visiting the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art and many other attractions in this beautiful small town.

Tupelo to Oxford

The birthplace of Elvis Presley is a great place to start a road trip. You can fill up on food and gas before visiting the Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum to learn about The King’s early life. This journey passes through Highway 6, so you will benefit from seeing the Tombigbee National Forest. You can stop at Pontotoc to visit the Pontotoc Historical Museum, housed in a former church! Of course, you may also want to pick up a coffee at Happy Day Cafe while you are there. Oxford, Mississippi, is well worth the journey; the students there certainly think so. The University of Mississippi’s campus in Oxford, established in 1848, has some incredible historic buildings—like the Lyceum—worth seeing. Finally, Rowan Oak, the home of William Faulkner, is a key literary landmark in this small town!

Biloxi to Ocean Springs

Before heading out on this one, Biloxi is more than worth taking a look around. Starting with the Biloxi Lighthouse, this building has been in use since 1848 and is still in use today! You can follow Highway 90 for a scenic view of the Gulf of Mexico or Biloxi Bay. You can head directly to Ocean Springs for its busy downtown, which is filled with restaurants like The Greenhouse on Porter, and take it from there. There is much to do around the area; for instance, Shearwater Pottery—a historic ceramics workshop founded in 1928—is worth a visit, and the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs is just around the corner!

Greenville to Clarksdale

This journey lets you peer through the beauty of the Mississippi Delta and the birthplace of blues music. Starting at the Greenville History Museum, you can check out some local artifacts from the 19th and 20th centuries before loading up and moving out. As you make your way east, you will probably pass through Indianola, where the B.B. King Museum celebrates the blues legend’s life and career. Cleveland (one of the 28 places in America with that name) is on the way as you head north, and it is home to the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi if you are a music fan. Finally, Clarksdale also has a few music-related attractions. Aside from enjoying the local hotspots like The Crossroads and Ground Zero Blues Club, seeing the Delta Blues Museum is an absolute must!

Meridian to Philadelphia

Starting from Meridian, this journey ends at Philadelphia, the Mississippi town of 7,000 people, not to be confused with the most populous city in the state of Pennsylvania. Begin at the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience; it is an interactive museum worth taking a look around before heading north. If you do not want to head up immediately, you can move south to Dunn’s Falls to see this man-made waterfall and park that dates back to the 1850s. From there, you can take a detour to Chunky River Kayak and Canoe Rentals, as it is the best way to enjoy the water near Chunky, a small town of 326. Finally, you might be delighted to know that Philadelphia is home to the Choctaw Indian Fair, held each summer. There is so much to do there, and one of the most fascinating spots is the historic Williams Brothers Store—operating since 1907 and famous for its country ham and general goods!

Starkville to Columbus

If you come to Starkville, do not forget to take a look around first! The Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum and Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library are just some of the spots you may be inclined to pass by. But the road awaits. Instead of heading directly to Columbus (the one 40 minutes away, not the capital and largest city of Ohio), you can head northeast to a small town called West Point, where you can take in some surprisingly gorgeous views at West Point City Park before going to see what all the fuss is about at the Sam Wilhite Transportation Museum. Once you reach Columbus, an unmissable hiking area worth exploring is called the River Walk Trail. Still, it is best to pass by the Tennessee Williams Home & Welcome Center before immersing yourself in this final stop.

There is nothing quite like hitting the open road and taking in the sights from the comfort of a car, especially in a state as beautiful as Mississippi. Being able to pack a tent and some fishing gear and just set up shop anywhere along ‘Ol' Man River’ is a privilege few states enjoy. The countryside is like no other, and the rich history is all around, in full view, whether you are exploring small river towns or basking in the serenity of the untouched landscapes. Here, the road leads not just to destinations but to stories ready to be written.