How Far Is Southaven, Mississippi from Memphis, Tennessee? | 13 Miles

Southaven is about 13 driving miles and 11 straight-line miles south of Memphis, usually 15–25 minutes by car.

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For a hotel decision, airport pickup, Graceland stop, or cross-border errand, how far is Southaven, Mississippi from Memphis, Tennessee comes down to one short drive. The usual road distance is about 13 miles between central Memphis and central Southaven, with the Mississippi state line sitting just south of Memphis.

The most common route is Interstate 55 south from Memphis into DeSoto County, then local roads into Southaven. Traffic matters more than mileage here: a clear midday drive can be close to 15 minutes, while rush hour, FedExForum events, Beale Street weekends, or airport-area backups can push the trip closer to 25–35 minutes.

If you want to compare transfers, buses, or local ride options before choosing a car, check the route options here:

Southaven To Memphis Distance: What The Miles Mean

Southaven and Memphis are close enough that many visitors treat them as one metro area, but the trip still crosses a state line. Southaven is in Mississippi, while Memphis is in Tennessee, so taxes, hotel rates, rental rules, and local services can differ even when the drive feels short.

Measured city center to city center, the straight-line distance is about 11 miles. The driving distance is usually about 13 miles because the route follows I-55, I-240, Airways Boulevard, Goodman Road, or local connector roads instead of a perfect north-south line.

The exact mileage changes with your endpoints:

• Downtown Memphis to Southaven City Hall is usually around 13–15 road miles.
• Memphis International Airport to Southaven is shorter, often about 7–10 road miles.
• Graceland to Southaven is very close, usually about 6–8 road miles depending on the Southaven address.
• East Memphis to Southaven can take longer than downtown mileage suggests because the route often crosses I-240.

How Long Does The Drive Take?

The Southaven-to-Memphis drive usually takes 15–25 minutes in normal traffic. Plan closer to 30 minutes if you are driving during weekday commute hours or heading into downtown Memphis before a major event.

Southaven sits directly south of Memphis, so the drive is easy by Mid-South standards. The usual choice is I-55 for downtown Memphis, Airways Boulevard for airport-area trips, or Goodman Road and local connectors for Southaven shopping areas.

For flights, leave a larger buffer than the mileage suggests. Memphis International Airport is near Southaven, but rental-car returns, security lines, and traffic near I-240 can eat into a short schedule. A 10-mile airport transfer should still be treated like a real travel step, not a last-minute hop.

Driving From Memphis To Southaven

Driving is the simplest way to get from Memphis to Southaven. The short distance makes a rental car, rideshare, or hotel shuttle more practical than trying to build a full day around public transit.

Use I-55 south if you are starting downtown, near the riverfront, or near the South Main area. Use Airways Boulevard if you are starting near Memphis International Airport, Graceland, or the Whitehaven area. Use I-240 only when your starting point is east or southeast of the city.

Parking is usually easier in Southaven than in downtown Memphis. Southaven shopping centers, restaurants, and hotels are built around car access, while downtown Memphis has more paid lots, garages, and event pricing.

Drivers should also account for weekend nightlife traffic in Memphis and event traffic near Landers Center in Southaven. A trip that looks like 15 minutes on paper can feel longer when traffic lights and parking searches stack up.

Can You Take Public Transit Between Southaven And Memphis?

Public transit can work for parts of the Southaven-to-Memphis area, but it is not the smoothest option for most visitors. MATA serves Memphis with buses and trolleys, while Southaven sits outside the strongest part of the fixed-route visitor network.

Use the official MATA trip tools before relying on a bus connection, since route coverage and service times change by day. MATA’s current fare page says buses, trolleys, MATAplus, and Ready! On-Demand rides are available at no cost during the Zero Fare Pilot, per the official MATA fares page.

The bus can make sense if your Memphis endpoint is near a strong route and you have flexible timing. For an airport run, dinner reservation, concert, or early appointment, a car, rideshare, or taxi is safer because the mileage is short but transfer time can be long.

Southaven, Memphis, And The Airport

Southaven is closer to Memphis International Airport than many parts of Memphis are. That is why Southaven can be a practical base for travelers who want lower hotel rates, easier parking, and quick access to northern Mississippi.

Memphis International Airport sits southeast of downtown Memphis and northeast of Southaven. From many Southaven hotels, the airport is often a 10–20 minute drive, while downtown Memphis is more often 15–25 minutes away.

This setup works well for road trippers, business travelers, and families with a car. It works less well for visitors who want to walk out of the hotel and spend most of the night on Beale Street, because the late-night return still requires a drive or rideshare.

Where To Stay If You Are Choosing Between The Two

Southaven is usually better for easy parking, airport access, and chain hotels near shopping and restaurants. Downtown Memphis is better for Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, riverfront walks, and nights where you do not want to drive after dinner.

Pick Southaven if your trip centers on DeSoto County, the airport, Graceland, youth sports, or a road trip down I-55. Pick Memphis if your trip centers on music, museums, nightlife, riverfront sights, or a first-time city break.

If Southaven is your base, compare hotel locations against I-55, Goodman Road, and your Memphis plans before choosing a room:

Best Way For Each Trip Type

The best way from Southaven to Memphis is a car for most travelers. The route is short, parking is usually manageable outside downtown, and a car keeps the airport, Graceland, Southaven hotels, and Memphis neighborhoods on the same easy plan.

• Fastest: drive or rideshare between exact addresses, especially outside rush hour.
• Cheapest with a car: drive your own vehicle and pay only fuel plus any parking.
• Cheapest without a car: check MATA first, then compare the time cost against a rideshare.
• Best for airport travelers: stay in Southaven with a car or a confirmed shuttle plan.
• Best for nightlife: stay in downtown Memphis or budget for rideshares both ways.

For a simple distance answer, Southaven is not far from Memphis at all: about 13 miles by road, close enough for an easy day trip, airport base, or dinner run, but far enough that your hotel choice still changes the feel of the trip.