Trip from Auburn, MS to Diamondhead, MS

Drive Time

6h 16m

Distance

313.2 mi

504 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

6h 4m ★

6 AM

6h 17m

8 AM

6h 42m

10 AM

6h 26m

12 PM

6h 23m

3 PM

6h 27m

5 PM

6h 41m

8 PM

6h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Auburn, MS

Dominik Gryzbon

Trip Overview

The drive from Auburn, MS to Diamondhead, MS covers 313.2 miles and takes about 6h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 59, US Highway 45 Aiternate, US Highway 45 Alternate for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 121.1 miles on I 59. At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.88 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

156.6 miles from Auburn, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 16m highway drive covering 313.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 59 and US Highway 45 Aiternate. The longest continuous stretch is about 121.1 miles on I 59.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 121.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US Highway 45 Aiternate. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 313.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 6.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6.2 mi into trip | ~11m in

Turn left toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontotoc

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontot...

142.4 mi into trip | ~2h 50m in

Take the exit toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian

151 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in | I 59

Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans

310.9 mi into trip | ~6h 10m in | Gex Drive

Enter roundabout onto Gex Drive

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

311 mi into trip | ~6h 10m in | Gex Drive

Enter roundabout onto Gex Drive

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Towns Along This Route

Between Auburn, MS and Diamondhead, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Necaise.

New Orleans

151 mi in | ~3h 1m | via I 59

Necaise

272.1 mi in | ~5h 12m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 59	121.1 mi	2h 10m
US Highway 45 Aiternate	60.6 mi	1h 9m
US Highway 45 Alternate	54.7 mi	1h 6m
MS 603	19.6 mi	29m
South Main Street	15.7 mi	23m
I 20	8.1 mi	9m
Martin Luther King Drive	7.7 mi	8m
US 45 ALT	7.2 mi	8m

Longest stretch: I 59 — 121.1 mi, about 2h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MS and Diamondhead, MS.

Start on County Road 1438

119 ft · 10 sec · County Road 1438

Turn left onto CR 931

1.1 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road / County Road 931

Continue on North Eason Boulevard

5.1 mi · 8 min · North Eason Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Turn left

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontotoc Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 45; MS 6

1.9 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King, Junior Drive

Continue on US 45; US 278

7.7 mi · 8 min · Martin Luther King Drive

Continue on US 45 ALT

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 45 ALT

Continue on US 45 ALT

2.2 mi · 2 min · US 45 ALT

Continue on US 45 ALT

1.5 mi · 1 min · US 45 ALT

Continue on US 45 ALT

0.7 mi · 49 sec · US 45 ALT

Continue on US 45 ALT

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 45 ALT

Continue on US 45 ALT

55 mi · 1 hr 6 min · US Highway 45 Alternate

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 45

61 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US Highway 45 Aiternate

Keep slight right at fork onto US 45

3.9 mi · 4 min · US 45

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian

Merge onto I 20; I 59

6.3 mi · 7 min · I 20; I 59

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 20; I 59; US 80

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 59

121 mi · 2 hr 10 min · I 59

Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Toward MS 53: Poplarville, Necaise

Turn left onto MS 53

16 mi · 23 min · South Main Street

Continue on MS 603

20 mi · 29 min · MS 603

Turn left

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Merge onto I 10

2.4 mi · 2 min · I 10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward Diamondhead

Keep slight left at fork

228 ft · 5 sec

Keep slight left at fork onto Yacht Club Drive

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Yacht Club Drive

Continue on Gex Drive

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Gex Drive

Enter roundabout onto Gex Drive

143 ft · 3 sec · Gex Drive

Continue on Gex Drive

448 ft · 12 sec · Gex Drive

Enter roundabout onto Gex Drive

104 ft · 3 sec · Gex Drive

Continue on Gex Drive

0.4 mi · 57 sec · Gex Drive

Enter roundabout onto Diamondhead Drive North

452 ft · 12 sec · Diamondhead Drive North

Continue on Diamondhead Drive North

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Diamondhead Drive North

Turn right onto Analii Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Analii Street

Turn right onto Diamondhead Drive North

0.7 mi · 1 min · Diamondhead Drive North

Turn right

0.2 mi · 55 sec

At end of road, turn right

382 ft · 17 sec

Turn right

136 ft · 5 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 156.6 miles from Auburn, MS, or about 3h 7m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.1 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 80 miles or 1h 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 156.6 miles or 3h 7m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Diamondhead, 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 313.2 miles and 6h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 I 59 for about 121.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 156.6 mi from Auburn, MS · 3h 7m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Magee, MS

157 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Butler, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Butler, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 156.6 miles from Auburn, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 121.1 miles.

Arriving in Diamondhead, MS

The final approach into Diamondhead, MS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Diamondhead, MS.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.88 one way

$95.76 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.26	$52.52	$105.03
premium	$4.61	$56.84	$113.69
diesel	$5.64	$69.58	$139.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 109.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	94	1	$32.89	$15.03
Efficient EV	78.3	0	$27.40	$12.53
EV Truck/SUV	125.3	1	$43.85	$20.04

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Auburn, MS

Morning in Auburn on Monday

Local time

10:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Diamondhead, MS

Morning in Diamondhead on Monday

Local time

10:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

3 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

6h 16m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Diamondhead, MS covers 313.2 miles and takes about 6h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 59, US Highway 45 Aiternate, US Highway 45 Alternate. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 156.6 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 $47.88 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Auburn, MS and Diamondhead, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Necaise.

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Return Trip

Diamondhead, MS to Auburn, MS

Plan the drive back the other way.

313.2 mi 6h 16m

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Trip from Auburn, MS to Diamondhead, MS

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Diamondhead, MS

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Auburn, MS

Diamondhead, MS

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 16m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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