RoadAtlas
Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States — Cultural
North America

Highway 61 Blues Trail

United States

Point-to-point
Memphis New Orleans

In short: Highway 61 Blues Trail is a 560 km cultural road trip in United States, typically driven over 4 days, best in Mar–May / Sep–Oct. Highlights: Memphis, Crossroads, Delta Blues Museum.

Distance
560 km
Duration
4 days
Best Season
Mar–May / Sep–Oct
NotableEasyCultural

The "Blues Highway" runs from Memphis to New Orleans along the Mississippi River through the Mississippi Delta, the birthplace of the blues, juke joints, catfish shacks, antebellum plantations, and the music that changed the world.

~1 refuel
~1 charge
Practical notes
US-61 is an easy drive, but summer heat, thunderstorms, and occasional flooding can slow stretches across the Delta and river parishes. In New Orleans and Memphis, parking and traffic are the main hassles; keep an eye on local weather and expect some museums or historic sites to close on Mondays.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Memphis and the Mississippi Delta corridor

Gateway to the Blues Museum · The Crossroads · Hollywood Café

Day 2Northern Mississippi Delta to Vicksburg

Dockery Farms · B.B. King Museum · Lillo's

Day 3Natchez to Baton Rouge

Natchez Visitor Reception Center · Louisiana State Capitol · The Carriage House Restaurant

Day 4Baton Rouge to New Orleans

French Quarter · Tremé music heritage walk · Cafe du Monde

Stops along the route

Memphis — Departure — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Departure
Memphis
Beale Street, Graceland, and Sun Studio where Elvis cut his first record. The Memphis Music Hall of Fame seals the story.
Hotels
Natchez — City — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
City
Natchez
The oldest city on the Mississippi, lined with antebellum mansions. The Natchez Trace Parkway begins here.
Hotels
Baton Rouge — City — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
City
Baton Rouge
Louisiana's capital city on the Mississippi. A quick stop for the towering Art Deco State Capitol and the LSU campus before the final push to New Orleans.
New Orleans — Arrival — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Arrival
New Orleans
The journey ends where the blues became jazz. The French Quarter, Treme, and live music pour out of every doorway.
Hotels

Things to Do

Crossroads — Landmark — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Landmark
Crossroads
The Delta crossroads where Robert Johnson is said to have sold his soul to the devil. Ground zero for American music.
Delta Blues Museum — Landmark — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Landmark
Delta Blues Museum
The definitive blues museum in the town where Muddy Waters grew up. Artifacts and recordings tell the full Delta story.
Dockery Farms — Landmark — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Landmark
Dockery Farms
The cotton plantation where blues music first coalesced in the early 1900s. Charley Patton lived and played here.
Vicksburg National Military Park — Landmark — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Landmark
Vicksburg National Military Park
A pivotal Civil War siege city above the Mississippi. The national military park spans the entire battlefield ridge.
Gateway to the Blues Museum — Museum — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Museum
Gateway to the Blues Museum
Explore the origins of blues music through interactive exhibits and artifacts in this informative museum.
Delta Blues Museum — Museum — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Museum
Delta Blues Museum
The core Clarksdale museum belongs on the first Delta day.
Show 4 more
Dockery Farms — Historic Site — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Historic Site
Dockery Farms
The landmark plantation site near Cleveland is essential context for Delta blues history.
The Crossroads — Landmark — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Landmark
The Crossroads
Iconic intersection where legend says Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil for musical prowess.
B.B. King Museum — Museum — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Museum
B.B. King Museum
Museum honoring the life and music of blues legend B.B. King, featuring exhibits and his personal artifacts.
Louisiana State Capitol — Landmark — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Landmark
Louisiana State Capitol
The tallest state capitol building in the US, with an observation deck overlooking Baton Rouge and the Mississippi River.

Where to Eat

Hollywood Café — Southern — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Southern
Hollywood Café
Historic café known for its catfish platters and live blues performances, immortalized in Marc Cohn's 'Walking in Memphis'.
Lillo's — Italian — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Italian
Lillo's
Family-owned restaurant serving authentic Italian dishes in a cozy atmosphere, a local favorite for decades.
Doe's Eat Place — Steakhouse — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Steakhouse
Doe's Eat Place
A licensed Greenville Delta institution, kept on the Greenville/Vicksburg leg.
Ground Zero Blues Club — Southern — Highway 61 Blues Trail — United States
Southern
Ground Zero Blues Club
A current Clarksdale meal and music venue beside the core blues museums.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Highway 61 Blues Trail drive?

The Highway 61 Blues Trail covers 560 km from start to finish.

How long does the Highway 61 Blues Trail take to drive?

Most travellers spend 4 days on the Highway 61 Blues Trail, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Highway 61 Blues Trail?

The recommended season for the Highway 61 Blues Trail is Mar–May / Sep–Oct.

Where does the Highway 61 Blues Trail start and end?

The Highway 61 Blues Trail runs from Memphis to New Orleans.

What are the main stops on the Highway 61 Blues Trail?

The Highway 61 Blues Trail passes through Memphis, Crossroads, Delta Blues Museum.

How difficult is the Highway 61 Blues Trail to drive?

The Highway 61 Blues Trail is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Highway 61 Blues Trail in a regular car?

Yes — the Highway 61 Blues Trail is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Highway 61 Blues Trail?

Plan around 1 refuels (or about 1 EV charges) along the Highway 61 Blues Trail, based on its 560 km length.

Is the Highway 61 Blues Trail safe to drive?

US-61 is an easy drive, but summer heat, thunderstorms, and occasional flooding can slow stretches across the Delta and river parishes. In New Orleans and Memphis, parking and traffic are the main hassles; keep an eye on local weather and expect some museums or historic sites to close on Mondays.

What scenic tier is the Highway 61 Blues Trail?

The Highway 61 Blues Trail is a notable drive — Notable scenic drives — strong character routes that locals know well and that reward travellers willing to step beyond the most-photographed roads.