The drive from Auburn, MS to Cleveland, MS covers 157.2 miles and takes about 3h 16m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 278, Pontotoc Parkway West, I 22 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 101.8 miles on US 278.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.74 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.6 miles from Auburn, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 157.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 16m highway drive covering 157.2 miles, with most of the trip on US 278 and Pontotoc Parkway West. The longest continuous stretch is about 101.8 miles on US 278.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 278 is the longest continuous segment at about 101.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 278 and Pontotoc Parkway West. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13.8 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 157.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.2 miles (MS 9): Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
13.8 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward MS 9 South: Sherman, Pontotoc
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 76--
Toward MS 9 South: Sherman, Pontotoc
5
14.2 mi into trip|~17m in|MS 9
Turn left onto MS 9
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
24 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward US 278 West, MS 6 West: Oxford, University of Mississippi
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 278 West, MS 6 West: Oxford, Universi...
4
29.8 mi into trip|~36m in|US 278; MS 6 / Pontotoc Parkway West
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278; MS 6 / Pontotoc Parkway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
157.2 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|South Court Street
Turn left onto South Court Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Auburn, MS and Cleveland, MS, road signs point toward Pontotoc and University Of Mississippi.
Pontotoc
13.8 mi in|~16m
University Of Mississippi
24 mi in|~28m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 278
101.8 mi
2h 10m
Pontotoc Parkway West
29.8 mi
34m
I 22
12.8 mi
13m
MS 9
9.8 mi
11m
Auburn Road / County Road 931
0.7 mi
1m
East Sunflower Road
0.5 mi
<1m
MS 6
0.5 mi
<1m
North Bolivar Avenue
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 278
— 101.8 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MS and Cleveland, MS.
1
Start on County Road 1438
119 ft·10 sec·County Road 1438
2
Turn left onto CR 931
0.7 mi·1 min·Auburn Road / County Road 931
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
4
Merge onto I 22; US 78
13 mi·13 min·I 22; US 78
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 76--Toward MS 9 South: Sherman, Pontotoc
6
Turn slight left
131 ft·10 sec
7
Turn left onto MS 9
9.8 mi·11 min·MS 9
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward US 278 West, MS 6 West: Oxford, University of MississippiUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto US 278; MS 6
5.4 mi·6 min·Pontotoc Parkway West
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278; MS 6
24 mi·28 min·Pontotoc Parkway West
11
Continue on MS 6; US 278
0.5 mi·35 sec·MS 6; US 278
12
Continue on US 278; MS 6
62 mi·1 hr 22 min·US 278; MS 6
13
Take the exit onto US 278
40 mi·47 min·US 278
14
Take the exit
144 ft·4 sec
15
Turn right onto MS 8
0.5 mi·59 sec·East Sunflower Road
16
Turn left onto North Bolivar Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·North Bolivar Avenue
17
Turn left onto South Court Street
77 ft·3 sec·South Court Street
18
Arrive at destination
South Court Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.6 miles from Auburn, MS, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.6 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Auburn, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Auburn, MS
This is one driving day of about 157.2 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Auburn, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 278 for about 101.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.6 mi from Auburn, MS
· 1h 36m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 5.4
Park Closure: Partial Closure of Rocky Springs Trail
Park Closure: Temporary Blackland Prairie Trail Closure to Equestrians
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
National Monument
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 119.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.74 one way
$47.48 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$26.06
$52.12
premium
$4.56
$28.22
$56.43
diesel
$5.61
$34.71
$69.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
4 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
ChargePoint Charging Station
Pontotoc, Mississippi
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Oxford, Mississippi
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Tupelo, Mississippi
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Tupelo, Mississippi
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 4
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.2
0
$16.51
$7.55
Efficient EV
39.3
0
$13.75
$6.29
EV Truck/SUV
62.9
0
$22.01
$10.06
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Auburn, MS
Night
in Auburn on Thursday
Local time
10:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cleveland, MS
Night
in Cleveland on Thursday
Local time
10:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Batesville, MS
79 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Auburn, MS to Cleveland, MS covers 157.2 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 278, Pontotoc Parkway West, I 22. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.6 miles from Auburn, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.74 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 157.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.2 miles (MS 9): Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Auburn, MS and Cleveland, MS, road signs point toward Pontotoc and University Of Mississippi.
