Drive Time
6h 6m
Distance
296.9 mi
478 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
Photo: Shaun Iwasawa
Connecting Auburn to Oxford requires covering 296.9 miles, a journey that typically takes 6 hours and 6 minutes of drive time. Because this route is entirely within Mississippi, you will experience the Southeast landscape from start to finish. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, though the six-hour duration means you should plan for at least one stop to break up the travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $45, the trip is relatively budget-friendly for a solo driver or a small group. This drive is designed for efficiency rather than leisure, prioritizing major thoroughfares to get you to your destination reliably. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider whether you want to tackle the full distance in one go or break it up to arrive in Oxford refreshed.
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
148.4 miles from Auburn, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 89% of your travel occurring on major roads like MS 25, I-55, and US Highway 45 Alternate. You should prepare for a significant amount of time behind the wheel, specifically during the longest stretch of 136.2 miles along MS 25. The character of the road shifts as you transition between these different highway types, requiring you to remain alert as traffic patterns change. While you will spend most of your time at highway speeds, the variety of roads ensures the drive remains functional and direct. Expect a consistent, forward-moving experience that prioritizes steady progress over technical or winding backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 25 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 296.9 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 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. Lane positioning matters here.
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. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: McComb, New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Auburn, MS and Oxford, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Natchez.
New Orleans
Natchez
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MS 25 | 136.2 mi | 2h 36m |
| I 55 | 59.9 mi | 1h 5m |
| US Highway 45 Alternate | 35.7 mi | 43m |
| US 84 | 22.7 mi | 26m |
| Martin Luther King Drive | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| US 45 ALT | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| Gloster Road | 6.5 mi | 15m |
| Oxford-Meadville Road | 6.3 mi | 15m |
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MS and Oxford, 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
Merge onto I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 84
Turn left onto MS 184
Turn left onto US 98
Turn right onto Yap 3 Road
Continue on Gloster Road
At end of road, turn right onto Gloster Road
Continue on Oxford-Meadville Road
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 6-hour and 6-minute journey, try to depart early in the morning to avoid midday congestion on the busier stretches of I-55. Since the route includes one recommended stop, use that break to refuel and stretch your legs, especially after completing the long 136.2-mile segment on MS 25. Keep your $45 fuel budget in mind when planning your stops, as prices can fluctuate depending on where you exit the highway. Being flexible with your departure time is a major advantage for this trip, as it allows you to bypass peak traffic hours and reach Oxford on your own terms. Always double-check your navigation before hitting the road, as the combination of state and federal highways requires careful attention to signage.
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.
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 148.4 miles or 2h 58m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oxford, 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 296.9 miles and 6h 6m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 148.4 mi from Auburn, MS · 2h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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 148.4 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 136.2 miles.
The final approach into Oxford, 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 Oxford, 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.
Regular Gas
$45.39 one way
$90.78 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $49.78 | $99.57 |
| premium | $4.61 | $53.89 | $107.77 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $65.96 | $131.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.1 | 1 | $31.17 | $14.25 |
| Efficient EV | 74.2 | 0 | $25.98 | $11.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.8 | 1 | $41.57 | $19.00 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
2:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Oxford on Sunday
Local time
2:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
148 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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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