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Trip from Auburn, MS to Waveland, MS

Drive Time

6h 16m

Distance

314.5 mi

506 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

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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Downtown Auburn, MS, MS

Auburn, MS

Dominik Gryzbon

Downtown Waveland, MS, MS

Waveland, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Auburn, MS to Waveland, MS covers 314.5 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 $48.08 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

157.3 miles from Auburn, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 16m highway drive covering 314.5 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 28 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 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 314.5 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 14 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
5
272.1 mi into trip | ~5h 12m in

Take the exit toward MS 53: Poplarville, Necaise

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

Toward MS 53: Poplarville, Necaise

Towns Along This Route

Between Auburn, MS and Waveland, 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 25 mi 37m
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 Waveland, 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, Pontotoc Use 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

121 mi · 2 hr 10 min · I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward MS 53: Poplarville, Necaise
20

Turn left onto MS 53

16 mi · 23 min · South Main Street
21

Continue on MS 603

25 mi · 37 min · MS 603
22

Continue on Nicholson Avenue

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Nicholson Avenue
23

Turn right onto McLaurin Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · McLaurin Street
24

Turn right onto Saint Anthony Street

82 ft · 8 sec · Saint Anthony Street
25

Turn left onto Saint Joseph Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Saint Joseph Street
26

Turn left onto Coleman Avenue

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Coleman Avenue
27

Turn right onto Central Avenue

397 ft · 10 sec · Central Avenue
28

Arrive at destination

Central Avenue

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 157.3 miles from Auburn, MS, or about 3h 8m 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 157.3 miles or 3h 8m 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 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waveland, 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 314.5 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 157.3 mi from Auburn, MS · 3h 8m into the drive

Downtown Butler, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Butler, AL

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 157.3 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 Waveland, MS

The final approach into Waveland, 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 Waveland, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

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...

5 mi from route ~14 min detour Free
Park Closure: Partial Closure of Rocky Springs Trail
Park Closure: Temporary Blackland Prairie Trail Closure to Equestrians
View on nps.gov
Tupelo National Battlefield

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...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 10.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.08 one way

$96.16 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $52.73 $105.47
premium $4.61 $57.08 $114.16
diesel $5.64 $69.87 $139.74

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: 110 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 94.4 1 $33.02 $15.10
Efficient EV 78.6 0 $27.52 $12.58
EV Truck/SUV 125.8 1 $44.03 $20.13

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

10:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waveland, MS

Morning in Waveland on Monday

Local time

10:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

86°F

Butler, AL

157 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

4 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 Waveland, MS covers 314.5 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 157.3 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 $48.08 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 314.5 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.
Between Auburn, MS and Waveland, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Necaise.

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Return Trip

Waveland, MS to Auburn, MS

Plan the drive back the other way.

314.7 mi 6h 16m

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