Drive Time
4h 52m
Distance
247.2 mi
398 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
Photo: Shaun Iwasawa
Spanning 247.2 miles, this journey from Batesville to Oxford takes approximately 4 hours and 52 minutes to complete. While both towns are situated within the Southeast region of Mississippi, the route itself is a significant departure from a simple point-to-point transit. You will navigate via I-55 South, US 84, and Yap 3 Road, making this a substantial undertaking for a single day of driving. Budgeting around $37 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip. Given the intensity of the turns and the length of the journey, it functions best as a dedicated day trip where you can focus entirely on the road ahead.
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
123.6 miles from Batesville, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a straightforward interstate cruise, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will spend your time navigating local roads rather than high-speed thoroughfares. The path transitions through technical sections that require constant adjustments, providing a much more active driving experience than a standard highway slog. Because the route relies on local infrastructure, the pace is dictated by the curves and intersections rather than open-road cruising. Prepare for a winding, engaging drive that keeps you alert from start to finish.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 84. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 151.6 miles in near I 55.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 247.2 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 151.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Take the exit toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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
Turn left onto MS 184
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 98
Navigation decision point
Between Batesville, MS and Oxford, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Natchez.
New Orleans
Natchez
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 203.9 mi | 3h 40m |
| US 84 | 22.7 mi | 26m |
| Gloster Road | 6.5 mi | 15m |
| Oxford-Meadville Road | 6.3 mi | 15m |
| Yap 3 Road | 2.6 mi | 6m |
| US 98 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| MS 184 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| US 278 | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Batesville, MS and Oxford, MS.
Start on US 51; MS 35
Turn left onto US 278; MS 6
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
Because this trip requires nearly five hours of focus, planning a single, well-timed stop is essential to manage the fatigue that comes with a turn-heavy route. Leaving early in the morning allows you to tackle the most complex sections of Yap 3 Road while you are fresh and traffic is at its lowest. Keep your $37 fuel budget handy, as local roads may offer fewer refueling options compared to major interstate corridors. Since the route is entirely local, use your flexibility to pull over safely if you need a break from the constant turning. Always double-check your navigation before departing, as the reliance on local roads like US 84 can make missing a turn more time-consuming than on a major highway.
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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.6 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oxford, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Batesville, 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 Batesville, MS
This is one driving day of about 247.2 miles and 4h 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 123.6 mi from Batesville, MS · 2h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 123.6 miles from Batesville, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 203.9 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
$37.79 one way
$75.58 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $41.45 | $82.90 |
| premium | $4.61 | $44.87 | $89.73 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $54.92 | $109.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.2 | 0 | $25.96 | $11.87 |
| Efficient EV | 61.8 | 0 | $21.63 | $9.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.9 | 1 | $34.61 | $15.82 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Batesville on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Oxford on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
124 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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