Origin
Auburn, MS
Evening in Auburn on Thursday
Local time
6:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 31m
Distance
168.3 mi
271 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, MS
Dominik Gryzbon
Hillsboro, MS
Kelly
The drive from Auburn, MS to Hillsboro, MS covers 168.3 miles and takes about 3h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on MS 25, US Highway 45 Alternate, MS 35 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 84 miles on MS 25. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.42 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
84.1 miles from Auburn, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 168.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 3h 31m highway drive covering 168.3 miles, with most of the trip on MS 25 and US Highway 45 Alternate. The longest continuous stretch is about 84 miles on MS 25.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 25 and US Highway 45 Alternate. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in.
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 168.3 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 6.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.9 miles (MS 25): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.6 miles (MS 25): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontotoc
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto MS 25 toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto MS 25 toward MS 25 South: Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MS 25 | 84 mi | 1h 36m |
| US Highway 45 Alternate | 35.7 mi | 43m |
| MS 35 | 23.2 mi | 34m |
| Martin Luther King Drive | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| US 45 ALT | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| North Eason Boulevard | 5.1 mi | 8m |
| Martin Luther King, Junior Drive | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Old Jackson Road | 1.7 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MS and Hillsboro, MS.
Start on County Road 1438
Turn left onto CR 931
Continue on North Eason Boulevard
Turn left
Merge onto US 45; MS 6
Continue on US 45; US 278
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Take the exit onto MS 25
Take the exit onto MS 25
Continue on MS 25
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
Take the exit onto MS 25
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left
Turn slight left onto MS 35
Turn right onto Old Jackson Road
Turn right onto Hillsboro-Ludlow Road
Arrive at destination
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.
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 37 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.1 miles or 1h 44m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hillsboro, MS than in the middle of the route.
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 168.3 miles and 3h 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.1 mi from Auburn, MS · 1h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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.
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 84.1 miles from Auburn, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MS 25 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84 miles.
The final approach into Hillsboro, 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 Hillsboro, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.42 one way
$50.83 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $27.90 | $55.80 |
| premium | $4.56 | $30.21 | $60.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.16 | $74.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.67 | $8.08 |
| Efficient EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.73 | $6.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.56 | $10.77 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Auburn on Thursday
Local time
6:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Hillsboro on Thursday
Local time
6:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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