Interstate 22: Birmingham to Tupelo – Alabama/Mississippi

Travel 128 miles west along Interstate 22 as we journey from the bustling urban core of Birmingham, Alabama to the historic and musical city of Tupelo, Mississippi. This four-lane, limited-access highway serves as a modern corridor between two culturally rich regions of the South. The route parallels much of the original U.S. Route 78, a once-busy highway that still exists in segments alongside the interstate.

Our trip begins in downtown Birmingham, right at the interchange with Interstate 65, a major north-south route through the heart of Alabama. From here, Interstate 22 takes us northwest through Graysville, a suburb that’s grown up around the old industrial corridors of the Birmingham metro. Just beyond, we cross over the former routing of US-78, now relegated mostly to local traffic and frontage roads. This section features rolling hills and forested slopes that are typical of central Alabama’s Appalachian foothills.

As we continue west, the landscape shifts to reveal more of Alabama’s mining history, especially around the Cordova area. The town of Cordova itself is tucked into a valley and known for its historic downtown and the nearby Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River. From here, the highway curves northward toward Jasper, a regional hub that offers easy access to Bankhead National Forest to the northeast. Jasper marks a notable waypoint on this route with connections to AL-13 and US-278, routes that serve the surrounding rural communities and outdoor recreation areas.

Further northwest, the drive mellows into longer stretches of wooded terrain interspersed with farmland, as we make our way toward Hamilton, Alabama. This town serves as a transition point before the highway crosses into Mississippi. Just west of Hamilton, the road gently curves westward, entering Tremont, Mississippi. Tremont is a small town with ties to country music history — it’s the birthplace of Tammy Wynette, the First Lady of Country Music.

From Tremont, we pass through Fulton, a compact town on the Tombigbee River that offers a few local attractions and services. This stretch of I-22 is particularly scenic in the fall months, when the tree-lined ridges blaze with color. Approaching Tupelo, traffic begins to pick up as we near the regional economic center. Here, Interstate 22 intersects U.S. Route 45 via a cloverleaf interchange, a key crossroads for travelers heading north toward Corinth or south toward Meridian.

We end our journey at the interchange with the Natchez Trace Parkway, a scenic route that stretches from Natchez, Mississippi, all the way to Nashville, Tennessee. If you’re looking to slow down and soak in the history of the region, the Natchez Trace is a perfect detour — it even passes through the heart of Tupelo.

Whether you’re making a cross-country trip or exploring the deep South, I-22 offers a smooth ride with quick access to small-town charm, Appalachian foothills, and Mississippi heritage.

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