Buckle up as we cruise east along Interstate 22, covering about 127 miles from the vibrant city of Tupelo, Mississippi, all the way to bustling Birmingham, Alabama. We kick off this stretch merging onto I-22 at the familiar cloverleaf interchange with U.S. Highway 45, just a few miles north of downtown Tupelo — a town famous as Elvis Presley’s birthplace. As we get up to speed, it’s easy to appreciate how I-22 has modernized travel between Memphis and Birmingham, offering a smooth alternative to older U.S. Highway 78.
Rolling east, we settle into Mississippi’s scenic hills and farmland. We pass through Fulton, where a quick detour could take us to the Jamie L. Whitten Historical Center or the scenic beauty of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. A little farther along, Tremont sits quietly by the highway, offering small-town charm and a pit stop if we want to stretch our legs. Beyond Tremont, we glide toward the Alabama line — a gentle transition that marks the midway point of our eastward trek.
Crossing into Alabama, the interstate veers southeast near Hamilton, a regional hub with local dining and small parks if we want a break. Here, I-22 interchanges with U.S. Highway 278 and Alabama Highway 13 — both of which can guide travelers deeper into northwest Alabama’s rolling countryside. As we press on, the highway begins to feel more urban, especially once we near Jasper. This growing town is worth exploring — check out the Jasper Downtown Historic District or grab a bite in one of its locally owned cafés. Beyond Jasper, the route angles a bit more southerly, passing Cordova, a small community with a historic downtown that whispers stories of Alabama’s coal mining past.
Approaching Birmingham, we cross the busy junction with U.S. Highway 78 in Graysville. Here, the old U.S. 78 corridor reminds us just how important I-22 has become as a modern bypass for heavy trucks and through traffic. The final leg includes four local interchanges that serve the northern suburbs of Birmingham, connecting residential neighborhoods and industrial areas. Finally, Interstate 22 reaches its eastern end at Interstate 65. We wrap up this journey by taking the southbound lanes of I-65, heading straight for Birmingham’s urban core — where the city’s skyline, rich cultural stops, and legendary barbecue joints await.
Whether we’re driving straight through or hopping off for a bit of Southern hospitality, this stretch of I-22 is a testament to how the interstate system continues to evolve, tying together communities both big and small across Mississippi and Alabama.
7:55 Alabama State Line
🗺️ Route Map
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