Trip from Auburn, MS to Carthage, MS

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 56m

Distance

146 mi

235 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

2h 46m ★

6 AM

2h 57m

8 AM

3h 19m

10 AM

3h 5m

12 PM

3h 2m

3 PM

3h 6m

5 PM

3h 18m

8 PM

2h 50m

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

Carthage, MS

Anton Ivanov

Trip Overview

The drive from Auburn, MS to Carthage, MS covers 146 miles and takes about 2h 56m 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, Martin Luther King Drive 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 $22.05 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

73 miles from Auburn, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 146 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 56m highway drive covering 146 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.

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

There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

MS 25 is the longest continuous segment at about 84 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 25 and US Highway 45 Alternate. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 146 miles you will encounter 10 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 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...

58.9 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | MS 25

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

Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Sta...

70.6 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in | MS 25

Take the exit onto MS 25 toward MS 25 South: Louisville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward MS 25 South: Louisville

77.5 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in | MS 25

Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

143.2 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
MS 25	84 mi	1h 36m
US Highway 45 Alternate	35.7 mi	43m
Martin Luther King Drive	7.7 mi	8m
US 45 ALT	7.2 mi	8m
North Eason Boulevard	5.1 mi	8m
MS 35	2.7 mi	4m
Martin Luther King, Junior Drive	1.9 mi	2m
Auburn Road / County Road 931	1.1 mi	2m

Longest stretch: MS 25 — 84 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MS and Carthage, 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

36 mi · 43 min · US Highway 45 Alternate

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto MS 25

12 mi · 13 min · MS 25

Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville

Take the exit onto MS 25

5.0 mi · 6 min · MS 25

Toward MS 25 South: Louisville

Continue on MS 25

1.9 mi · 2 min · MS 25

Use the left lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25

25 mi · 28 min · MS 25

Take the exit onto MS 25

40 mi · 46 min · MS 25

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec

Keep slight left at fork

207 ft · 7 sec

Turn left

121 ft · 3 sec

Turn slight left onto MS 35

2.7 mi · 4 min · MS 35

Arrive at destination

MS 35

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

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

The halfway point lands around 73 miles from Auburn, MS, or about 1h 31m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84 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 32 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 73 miles or 1h 31m 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 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carthage, 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 146 miles and 2h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 MS 25 for about 84 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 73 mi from Auburn, MS · 1h 31m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Starkville, MS

73 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

Aberdeen, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Starkville, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73 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 MS 25 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84 miles.

Arriving in Carthage, MS

The final approach into Carthage, 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 Carthage, MS.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.05 one way

$44.10 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$24.20	$48.41
premium	$4.56	$26.21	$52.41
diesel	$5.61	$32.23	$64.47

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	43.8	$15.33	$7.01
Efficient EV	36.5	$12.77	$5.84
EV Truck/SUV	58.4	$20.44	$9.34

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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

4:03 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Carthage, MS

Afternoon in Carthage on Thursday

Local time

4:03 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°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

19 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

2h 56m 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 Carthage, MS covers 146 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are MS 25, US Highway 45 Alternate, Martin Luther King Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 73 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 $22.05 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.