Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
136.9 mi
220 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Photo: Mark Stebnicki
The drive from Auburn, MS to Drew, MS covers 136.9 miles and takes about 3h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 278, Pontotoc Parkway West, MS 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.4 miles on US 278. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.93 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
68.4 miles from Auburn, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
This is a 3h 4m highway drive covering 136.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 278 and Pontotoc Parkway West. The longest continuous stretch is about 46.4 miles on US 278.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 278 and Pontotoc Parkway West. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13.8 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 136.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.2 miles (MS 9): Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward MS 9 South: Sherman, Pontotoc
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto MS 9
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 278 West, MS 6 West: Oxford, University of Mississippi
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278; MS 6 / Pontotoc Parkway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
At end of road, turn left onto US 49; MS 3
Navigation decision point
Between Auburn, MS and Drew, MS, road signs point toward Pontotoc and University Of Mississippi.
Pontotoc
University Of Mississippi
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 278 | 46.4 mi | 1h 1m |
| Pontotoc Parkway West | 29.8 mi | 34m |
| MS 3 | 19.9 mi | 34m |
| Highway 49 | 14.6 mi | 21m |
| I 22 | 12.8 mi | 13m |
| MS 9 | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| East Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Auburn Road / County Road 931 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MS and Drew, MS.
Start on County Road 1438
Turn left onto CR 931
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 22; US 78
Take the exit
Turn slight left
Turn left onto MS 9
Take the exit
Merge onto US 278; MS 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278; MS 6
Continue on MS 6; US 278
Continue on US 278; MS 6
Turn left onto MS 3
At end of road, turn left onto US 49; MS 3
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W
Continue on US 49W
Turn right onto East Shaw Avenue
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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.4 miles or 1h 22m 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 Drew, 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 136.9 miles and 3h 4m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.4 mi from Auburn, MS · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 68.4 miles from Auburn, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Drew, 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 Drew, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$20.93 one way
$41.86 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $22.96 | $45.91 |
| premium | $4.61 | $24.85 | $49.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $30.41 | $60.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.37 | $6.57 |
| Efficient EV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.98 | $5.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.8 | 0 | $19.17 | $8.76 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
3:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Drew on Sunday
Local time
3:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
64°F
Collierville, TN
68 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
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Auburn, MS or browse trips ending in Drew, MS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.
Explore maps for Auburn, MS or Drew, MS on MapSof.net.
