Let’s hit the road along one of the South’s most iconic and serene routes: the Natchez Trace Parkway, traveling northbound from Tupelo, Mississippi to the Alabama state line. This 48-mile stretch offers a laid-back drive steeped in history and surrounded by lush scenery, making it a favorite for road trippers, cyclists, and anyone looking to escape the rush of the interstates.
We start our journey just west of downtown Tupelo, merging onto the Natchez Trace Parkway at Main Street. Right from the start, the contrast with city traffic is immediate—the Parkway is famously free of commercial trucks, traffic lights, and billboards, giving us an unhurried, uninterrupted ride. After crossing over US-45, the parkway begins to wind northeast, pulling us into the rolling hills and hardwood forests that define this part of northeast Mississippi.
One of the great things about the Natchez Trace is its abundance of well-marked pull-offs, overlooks, and historic stops. As we make our way north, we pass by several interpretive sites—these are perfect for stretching your legs and learning a bit about the Trace’s origins as a Native American path and later, a pioneer trade route. Keep an eye out for the Parkway Visitor Center near Tupelo, where you can pick up maps and get tips on what to see along the way.
A highlight of this stretch comes as we near Tishomingo State Park. After crossing the interchange with Mississippi Highway 25, we enter a region known for its rugged terrain, rock outcroppings, and scenic overlooks—very different from the flat Delta lands farther south. Tishomingo State Park itself is worth a detour. If you’ve got the time, the park offers hiking trails, a swinging bridge, and excellent opportunities to spot wildlife or snap some photos of the distinctive rocky bluffs that are rare in Mississippi.
As we continue northeast, the Parkway remains beautifully maintained and mostly untouched by development, with the forest coming right up to the roadside in many places. Occasional clearings give way to panoramic views and glimpses of the Tennessee River Valley in the distance, especially as we approach the state line. The drive has a calming effect—this is definitely one of those stretches where the journey itself is the destination.
Our trip concludes at the Mississippi/Alabama state line, but if you’re up for more, the Natchez Trace Parkway continues on into Alabama, ultimately ending just south of Nashville, Tennessee. This section, though, gives a perfect snapshot of why the Trace is a must-drive for anyone exploring the South: history, scenery, and a pace that invites you to slow down and soak it all in.
🎵 Music:
Go Not Gently by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/
Aretes and Rains Will Fall by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
🗺️ Route Map
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