Mississippi Highway 14: Rolling Fork

Drive America’s Highways for 5 miles west along Mississippi Highway 14 in Rolling Fork.

Mississippi Highway 14 offers a brief but revealing glimpse into the Mississippi Delta’s quiet charm as it makes its way westward through Rolling Fork. This five-mile stretch of state highway might be short, but it carries a strong sense of place, moving from the heart of town to the open fields that typify the region’s flat, agricultural character.

We begin our drive at the junction of MS-14 and U.S. Highway 61, also known as the legendary “Blues Highway.” Right away, we’re dropped into the heart of Rolling Fork, a small town with big historical roots. Race Street doubles as MS-14 as we make our way west through the community. You’ll pass modest homes, a few local businesses, and reminders of the town’s resilience—Rolling Fork was heavily impacted by a tornado in 2023, and signs of rebuilding efforts continue to dot the landscape. This section of MS-14 serves as both a connector and a thread of continuity for residents and travelers alike.

As we head out of town, the environment opens up into the classic Delta flatland: wide horizons, fertile farmland, and a stillness that speaks to the rural pace of life here. At the intersection with MS-826, the last major road before leaving town, you’ll notice a transition—from small-town grid to uninterrupted countryside. This portion of the route is largely used by local farm traffic and those heading to nearby river communities. The road eventually meets Mississippi Highway 1 just west of Rolling Fork, a route that closely parallels the Mississippi River and serves as a scenic alternative to the more commercial U.S. 61.

While this drive may not be long, it offers a snapshot of life in the lower Mississippi Delta. For those interested in culture, this region is the birthplace of blues music, and nearby heritage markers and museums in surrounding towns like Leland or Clarksdale offer deeper context. If you’re passing through, consider stopping at the Rolling Fork Visitor Center or exploring nearby wildlife areas like the Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, just a few miles to the east.

This segment of MS-14 isn’t just a connector between highways—it’s a piece of the broader Delta fabric. Whether you’re tracing blues history, taking the scenic route, or just passing through, this short drive west of Rolling Fork offers a meaningful glimpse into a quieter corner of the South.

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On March 27, 2023 an ‘upper-limit’ EF-4 tornado destroyed much of the town of Rolling Fork, Mississippi. This footage was captured in mid-May, 2023 and shows quite a bit of the damage from that tornado. We wish the residents of Rolling Fork a speedy recovery, and our thoughts go out to those who lost friends and loved ones.