Mississippi Highway 490

Mississippi Highway 490
Route information
Auxiliary route of MS 397
Maintained by MDOT
Length	13.130 mi (21.131 km)
Existed	1954–present
History	Early 1950s: Planned Mid 1950s: West Segment being built Late 1950s: East Segment being built Mid 1960s: West Segment finished Early 1970s: East Segment finished
Time period	Late 1950s
Western segment
Length	6.890 mi (11.088 km)
West end	MS 15 in Noxapater
Major intersections	MS 15 south – Noxapater MS 15 north – Noxapater MS 395 in Noxapater
East end	MS 397 in Nanih Waiya
Eastern segment
Length	6.700 mi (10.783 km)
West end	MS 397 in Nanih Waiya
Major intersections	MS 14 east – Mashulaville MS 14 west – Mashulaville
East end	MS 14 in Mashulaville
Location
Country	United States
State	Mississippi
Counties	Winston, Noxubee
Highway system
Mississippi State Highway System Interstate US State
← MS 489 → MS 491

Mississippi Highway 490 (MS 490) is a county highway in eastern Mississippi. The highway's western terminus is at the intersection of MS 395 and MS 15 in Noxapater. ^[1] From there, it travels generally eastward, serving as a spur for MS 397 by accessing roads off of MS 397

The Western Segment ends at an T-Intersection in Nanih Waiya

it's Eastern Segment starts by splitting up with MS 397. ^[2]

After splitting up MS 490 ends at an T-Intersection in Mashulaville, Highway 14 runs past the intersection.

Western Segment of Mississippi Highway 490

MS 490 begins in rural Winston County at a junction with MS 395,MS 15 in Noxapater in the vicinity of the historic Nanih Waiya Mound and the associated Nanih Waiya Historical Memorial. From this point, the highway proceeds generally eastward through a largely rural landscape, characterized by agricultural areas and woodlands.

As it continues its eastward trajectory, MS 490 approaches MS 393. This road leads to the Nanih Waiya Mound.

South East of Louisville, MS 490 continues its rural course until it reach it's eastern terminus in the community of Nanih Waiya and Mashulaville. Here, it concurs with MS 397 a significant north-south county highway. ^[3]

The total length of MS 490 is approximately 5.206 miles (8.378 km). The route is maintained by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT). The entire length of MS 490 is a two-lane, rural state highway.

Eastern Segment of Mississippi Highway 490

Mississippi Highway 490 Eastern (MS 490 E) is a relatively short, rural state highway in eastern Mississippi, spanning approximately 5.2 miles (8.4 km). Its "eastern segment" specifically refers to the portion of the highway that extends from the vicinity of Macon in Noxubee County eastward to its terminus in the community of Noxapater.

"This eastern segment of MS 490 is characterized by a two-lane road that primarily traverses agricultural land and woodlands. Significantly, MS 490 has a concurrency with Mississippi Highway 397 (MS 397) in the Nanih Waiya area, meaning the two highways share the same road for a portion of their route. A notable point along this segment is its intersection with Mississippi Highway 14 (MS 14) in Mashulaville, Noxubee County, which provides a key connection for local traffic. While it doesn't pass directly through downtown Macon, it serves as an access route to the town from the east. Ultimately, MS 490's eastern segment fulfills its role as a local connector, facilitating movement between the Nanih Waiya historical area, and Macon." ^[4]

History

When MS 397 was being paved they figured they wouldn't be able to make the road connect to Highway 14 from far from where they started paving, so they made MS 490 for cars to get to Highway 14 to Highway 397.

Major intersections

County	Location	mi [5]	km	Destinations	Notes
Winston	Nanih Waiya	0.000	0.000	MS 397 north – Nanih Waiya
	Vernon	4.031	6.487	MS 397 south – Vernon
		6.848	11.021	MS 397 north – Noxapater
	Noxapater	3.564	5.736	MS 15 south – Noxapater, Plattsburg
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi        Concurrency terminus

References

• "Billstatus". billstatus.ls.state.ms.us.
• "Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2025-07-10.

1. "32°59'32.7"N 89°03'51.1"W · 32.992426, -89.064183". 32°59'32.7"N 89°03'51.1"W · 32.992426, -89.064183. Retrieved 2025-10-11.
2. "Mississippi Highway 397", Wikipedia, 2025-07-06, retrieved 2025-10-11
3. "8549-8489 MS-490 · 8549-8489 MS-490, Louisville, MS 39339". 8549-8489 MS-490 · 8549-8489 MS-490, Louisville, MS 39339. Retrieved 2025-10-11.
4. "MS-490 · Mississippi". MS-490 · Mississippi. Retrieved 2025-10-11.
5. "MS Highways". Mississippi Geospatial Data Catalog. Retrieved June 2, 2021.