Drive Time
3h 26m
Distance
159.1 mi
256 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Photo: 大 董
The drive from Auburn, MS to Rosedale, MS covers 159.1 miles and takes about 3h 26m 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, Mississippi Highway 1 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.7 miles on US 278. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.32 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
79.5 miles from Auburn, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
This is a 3h 26m highway drive covering 159.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 278 and Pontotoc Parkway West. The longest continuous stretch is about 80.7 miles on US 278.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 278 and Pontotoc Parkway West. You will hit about 9 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 159.1 miles you will encounter 9 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 MS 1 / Mississippi Highway 1
Navigation decision point
Between Auburn, MS and Rosedale, MS, road signs point toward Pontotoc and University Of Mississippi.
Pontotoc
University Of Mississippi
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 278 | 80.7 mi | 1h 44m |
| Pontotoc Parkway West | 29.8 mi | 34m |
| Mississippi Highway 1 | 15.4 mi | 22m |
| I 22 | 12.8 mi | 13m |
| MS 9 | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| East Main Street | 6.6 mi | 11m |
| Prospect Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MS and Rosedale, 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
Take the exit onto US 278
Turn right onto MS 444
At end of road, turn left onto MS 1
Continue on MS 1
Continue on MS 1
Continue on MS 1
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 79.5 miles or 1h 37m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rosedale, 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 159.1 miles and 3h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.5 mi from Auburn, MS · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 79.5 miles from Auburn, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 278 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.7 miles.
The final approach into Rosedale, 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 Rosedale, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$24.32 one way
$48.64 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $26.68 | $53.35 |
| premium | $4.61 | $28.88 | $57.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.35 | $70.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.71 | $7.64 |
| Efficient EV | 39.8 | 0 | $13.92 | $6.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.6 | 0 | $22.27 | $10.18 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Rosedale on Sunday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
64°F
Collierville, TN
80 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.
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