Mississippi Travel Forum

Which road would you recommend taking from Memphis to Natchez?
Would 61 be more scenic than I55 or would it take forever?
We idealy want to arrive before dark.
Any suggestions much appreciated.

thanks
;0)

There's not much to see on I55, but if you drive 61 it will take all day. You might want to mix it up. South of Memphis is the Casino area. Then it's flat farm land for miles, with small towns along the way. If you take I55, get on the Natchez Trace Parkway from north of Jackson. Eat and drink before getting on the parkway because there isn't anything untill you get to Natchez. Enjoy

I agree with Robin - south of Memphis is flat delta agricultural land (in fact I've read it is the flattest place on Earth with as little as an inch of variability over 100 mile stretches). Not much to look at. Of course, if you do go Hwy 61, you must stop in Clarksdale where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil. Stop in Ground Zero, Morgan Freeman's blues club. Greenville is an interesting town as well but off the highway a little bit. The Vicksburg National Military Park has a lot of great information on the Civil War in a big park setting you can drive around the park to information plaques and monuments. I would recommend it if you have time. Otherwise, if time is the biggest concern, take 55 to Ridgeland, just north of Jackson, and follow the Natchez Trace Parkway. Very scenic relaxing drive – speed limit is 50mph - very natural – but no development (gas stations, etc.) along the parkway and only one town of significance to pull off (Port Gibson) so be prepared.