The drive from Auburn, MS to Sharon, MS covers 197.9 miles and takes about 3h 55m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US Highway 45 Aiternate, US Highway 45 Alternate, I 59 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 60.6 miles on US Highway 45 Aiternate.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.89 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
98.9 miles from Auburn, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 197.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 55m highway drive covering 197.9 miles, with most of the trip on US Highway 45 Aiternate and US Highway 45 Alternate. The longest continuous stretch is about 60.6 miles on US Highway 45 Aiternate.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 45 Aiternate is the longest continuous segment at about 60.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 45 Aiternate and US Highway 45 Alternate. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 197.9 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 142.9 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
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...
5
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
5
142.9 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|I 20; I 59
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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
7
194.9 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward Sandersville, Sharon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Sandersville, Sharon
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Auburn, MS to Sharon, MS, road signs begin pointing toward New Orleans along the way.
New Orleans
151 mi in|~3h 1m|via I 59
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 45 Alternate
54.7 mi
1h 6m
I 59
43.9 mi
47m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
Martin Luther King Drive
7.7 mi
8m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
North Eason Boulevard
5.1 mi
8m
US 45
3.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 45 Aiternate
— 60.6 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MS and Sharon, MS.
1
Start on County Road 1438
119 ft·10 sec·County Road 1438
2
Turn left onto CR 931
1.1 mi·2 min·Auburn Road / County Road 931
3
Continue on North Eason Boulevard
5.1 mi·8 min·North Eason Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, PontotocUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto US 45; MS 6
1.9 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
6
Continue on US 45; US 278
7.7 mi·8 min·Martin Luther King Drive
7
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
8
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
9
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
10
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
11
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
12
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
16
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
44 mi·47 min·I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New OrleansUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward Sandersville, SharonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto Sharon-Sandersville Road
2.4 mi·5 min·Sharon-Sandersville Road
21
At end of road, turn right onto MS 537
0.4 mi·42 sec·Randy Chancellor Memorial Highway
22
Turn left onto Sharon Moss Road
135 ft·3 sec·Sharon Moss Road
23
Arrive at destination
Sharon Moss Road
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 98.9 miles from Auburn, MS, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.6 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 44 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.9 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sharon, 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 197.9 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 Highway 45 Aiternate for about 60.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.9 mi from Auburn, MS
· 2h 1m 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.
Tupelo National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.89 one way
$59.78 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$32.81
$65.62
premium
$4.56
$35.52
$71.04
diesel
$5.61
$43.69
$87.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
2 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
ChargePoint Charging Station
Tupelo, Mississippi
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Tupelo, Mississippi
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.4
0
$20.78
$9.50
Efficient EV
49.5
0
$17.32
$7.92
EV Truck/SUV
79.2
0
$27.71
$12.67
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Afternoon
in Auburn on Thursday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sharon, MS
Afternoon
in Sharon on Thursday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Macon, MS
99 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
16 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 55m 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 Sharon, MS covers 197.9 miles and takes about 3h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 45 Aiternate, US Highway 45 Alternate, I 59. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.9 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 $29.89 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 is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 197.9 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.
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 142.9 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Auburn, MS to Sharon, MS, road signs begin pointing toward New Orleans along the way.
