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The Blues Highway: 4-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 4-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go.
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4
days
330 km
distance
8.5 h
driving
23
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~13.8 hours of daylight in May — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Juke joints warm up for festival season — Clarksdale's Juke Joint Fest in April is the real thing — and the Delta's flat green horizon shimmers rather than bakes.
Day 1 Memphis
- Transit
- 1h11
- Finish
- ~17:05
- Temperature
- 15.9°C–26.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~20
- Daylight
- 13.8h
09:00
Tour the iconic home of Elvis Presley, filled with memorabilia and grandeur.
50 min · Memphis · Elvis Experience: adults (11+) $85; children (5-10) $49; children 4 and undermfree
open: Daily 9AM-4PM (last tour begins); airplanes daily 10AM-4PM
10:30
Walk through history in the preserved Lorraine Motel, echoing with legacy.
50 min · Memphis · Adults (18+) $25; children (5-17) $22; seniors (65+) and college students $23
open: Wednesday - Monday 9AM - 6PM (closed Tuesday)
11:30
Enjoy live blues music in vibrant bars and clubs under colorful lights.
50 min · Memphis
12:30
Experience thrilling basketball games in a massive, energetic arena.
90 min · Memphis
14:10
Stand where legends recorded their first hits, guided by passionate local musicians.
50 min · Memphis · Adultsm?$20; children (5-11) $15
open: Daily 10AM - 5:15PM (tours begin hourly starting at 10:30AM)
15:15
Watch playful pandas and many other animals in well-designed habitats.
50 min · Memphis · General admission: adults (12+) $20.95-30.95; children (2-11) $15.95-25:95; children under 2 free
16:05
Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken gusfriedchicken.com map ↗
Devour mouthwatering fried chicken that lives up to its fame.
60 min · Memphis
open: Su–Th 11AM-9PM; F Sa 11AM-10PM
Overnight here
e.g. Super 7 Inn · Doubletree Downtown Memphis
Day 2 Around Memphis
- Transit
- 1h02
- Finish
- ~16:15
- Temperature
- 15.9°C–26.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~20
- Daylight
- 13.8h
09:00
Stroll through lush old-growth forest and visit cultural institutions nearby.
50 min · Memphis
10:15
Listen to curated songs and stories as you walk through music history.
50 min · Memphis · Adults $16; children (5-17)m$12; children 4 and under free
open: Daily 10AM-5PM (last admission 4:15PM)
11:15
Discover intricate Asian and Judaic artifacts in a quiet, reflective space.
50 min · Memphis · $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for students, free for children 5 and under
open: W-F 10AM-5PM; Sa Su noon-5PM
12:15
Admire artistic metalwork and enjoy sweeping river views from the grounds.
50 min · Memphis · Adults $8; seniors (62+) $6; students (with ID) and military $5; children (5-17) $4; children 5 and under free
open: Tuesday - Sunday 11AM-5PM
13:20
Explore the history and culture of cotton through exhibits and artifacts in a restored trading floor.
50 min · Memphis · Adults $10; students, teachers, and seniors $9; children (6-12) and military/first responders $8; children under 6 free
open: M-Sa 10 AM - 5PM
14:25
Feel the rhythm of soul music history in an engaging, lively museum.
50 min · Memphis · Adults $20; children (7-12), seniors (62+), and military $16; children 6 and under free
open: Tuesday - Sunday 10AM-5PM; closed Monday
15:15
Overnight here
e.g. Super 7 Inn · Doubletree Downtown Memphis
Day 3 Clarksdale & the Delta
- Transit
- 2h11
- Finish
- ~17:05
- Temperature
- 16.6°C–27.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~19
- Daylight
- 13.8h
10:50
Explore the restored Illinois Central Railroad depot filled with blues history and memorabilia.
50 min · Clarksdale & the Delta · $7, ages 6-12 $5, under 6 free
open: Mar-Oct: M-Sa 9AM-5PM; Nov-Feb: M-Sa 10AM-5PM
11:50
13:30
14:35
Blues Harmonica Jam Camp search
Learn blues harmonica in a 5-day seminar filled with classes, jams, and camaraderie in the Delta.
90 min · Clarksdale & the Delta
16:05
Abe’s Barbecue abesbbq.com map ↗
Savor famous barbecue pork, beef, hot tamales, and ribs at this iconic spot since 1924.
60 min · Clarksdale & the Delta
Day 4 Vicksburg
- Transit
- 4h04
- Finish
- ~17:15
- Temperature
- 17.1°C–28.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~17
- Daylight
- 13.7h
12:35
13:35
Walk through a historic building with ties to famous American figures.
50 min · Vicksburg · Adults $5, students grade 1-12 $3, 65+ $4.50
14:35
Biedenharn Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia biedenharncoca-colamuseum.com map ↗
Explore restored bottling works and enjoy vintage soda fountains.
50 min · Vicksburg · Adults: $2.75, Under 12: $1.75
open: M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 1:30PM-4:30PM
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.