Trip from Carthage, MS to Auburn, MS

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

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.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 72.8 miles from Carthage, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.99 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

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

Q: How many breaks should I plan?

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

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 55m

Distance

145.6 mi

234 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 34 min

4 AM

2h 44m ★

6 AM

2h 56m

8 AM

3h 18m

10 AM

3h 3m

12 PM

3h 1m

3 PM

3h 5m

5 PM

3h 17m

8 PM

2h 49m

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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Trip Overview

The drive from Carthage, MS to Auburn, MS covers 145.6 miles and takes about 2h 55m 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 83.4 miles on MS 25. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.99 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

72.8 miles from Carthage, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 145.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 55m highway drive covering 145.6 miles, with most of the trip on MS 25 and US Highway 45 Alternate. The longest continuous stretch is about 83.4 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 15 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 83.4 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 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 67.7 miles in near MS 25.

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 145.6 miles you will encounter 8 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 67.7 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 74 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6

67.7 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in | MS 25

Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

6

74 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in | MS 25

Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25 toward US 82 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West Point

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 82 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West...

5

86.3 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in

Take the exit toward US 45 Alternate North, MS 25 North: West Point, Tupelo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 45 Alternate North, MS 25 North: West...

5

86.5 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | US 45 ALT; MS 25 / US Highway 45 Alternate

Merge onto US 45 ALT; MS 25 / US Highway 45 Alternate

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

4

139.3 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in

Take the exit toward Eason Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward Eason Boulevard

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Carthage, MS and Auburn, MS, road signs point toward Point and Tupelo.

Point

74 mi in | ~1h 26m | via MS 25

Tupelo

86.3 mi in | ~1h 40m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
MS 25	83.4 mi	1h 35m
US Highway 45 Alternate	34.6 mi	42m
Martin Luther King Drive	18.1 mi	20m
South Eason Boulevard	4.9 mi	7m
MS 35	2.5 mi	3m
Auburn Road	1.1 mi	2m
County Road 1438	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: MS 25 — 83.4 mi, about 1h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on MS 35

2.5 mi · 3 min · MS 35

2

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec

3

Merge onto MS 25

40 mi · 45 min · MS 25

4

Take the exit onto MS 25

25 mi · 29 min · MS 25

5

Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25

2.4 mi · 2 min · MS 25

Use the left lane.

6

Continue on MS 25

3.8 mi · 4 min · MS 25

7

Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25

12 mi · 13 min · MS 25

Toward US 82 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West Point

8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Toward US 45 Alternate North, MS 25 North: West Point, Tupelo

9

Merge onto US 45 ALT; MS 25

35 mi · 42 min · US Highway 45 Alternate

Use the straight lane.

10

Continue on US 45 ALT

18 mi · 20 min · Martin Luther King Drive

11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward Eason Boulevard

12

Turn straight onto South Eason Boulevard

4.9 mi · 7 min · South Eason Boulevard

13

Continue on CR 931

1.1 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road

14

Turn right onto County Road 1438

119 ft · 5 sec · County Road 1438

15

Arrive at destination

County Road 1438

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 72.8 miles from Carthage, MS, or about 1h 24m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.4 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 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.8 miles or 1h 24m 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 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, MS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Carthage, 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 Carthage, MS

This is one driving day of about 145.6 miles and 2h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Carthage, 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 83.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72.8 mi from Carthage, MS · 1h 24m 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

Louisville, 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 72.8 miles from Carthage, 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 83.4 miles.

Arriving in Auburn, MS

The final approach into Auburn, 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 Auburn, MS.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Tupelo National Battlefield

National Battlefield

In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...

3 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 140.6

View on nps.gov

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...

5 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 145.6

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.99 one way

$43.98 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$24.14	$48.28
premium	$4.56	$26.13	$52.27
diesel	$5.61	$32.15	$64.29

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: 50.9 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	43.7	$15.29	$6.99
Efficient EV	36.4	$12.74	$5.82
EV Truck/SUV	58.2	$20.38	$9.32

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 12, 2026

Origin

Carthage, MS

Afternoon in Carthage on Thursday

Local time

12:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Auburn, MS

Afternoon in Auburn on Thursday

Local time

12:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 55m 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 Carthage, MS to Auburn, MS covers 145.6 miles and takes about 2h 55m 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 72.8 miles from Carthage, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.99 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.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 145.6 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 67.7 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 74 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Between Carthage, MS and Auburn, MS, road signs point toward Point and Tupelo.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Tupelo National Battlefield and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail.

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