The drive from Lumberton, MS to Auburn, MS covers 260.2 miles and takes about 5h 1m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 59, US 45, US Highway 45 Alternate for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 115.1 miles on I 59.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.30 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
130.1 miles from Lumberton, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 260.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 1m highway drive covering 260.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 59 and US 45. The longest continuous stretch is about 115.1 miles on I 59.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 115.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 13 / West Main Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 260.2 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: near the start (MS 13 / West Main Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 108.4 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MS 13 / West Main Avenue
Turn right onto MS 13 / West Main Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
2.1 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
108.4 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|I 59
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscalo...
6
117.4 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward US 45 North: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 45 North: Macon
8
182.8 mi into trip|~3h 25m in|US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupel...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lumberton, MS and Auburn, MS, road signs point toward Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
Tuscaloosa
108.4 mi in|~1h 59m|via I 59
Tupelo
182.8 mi in|~3h 25m|via US 45 ALT
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 59
115.1 mi
2h 5m
US 45
65.1 mi
1h 14m
US Highway 45 Alternate
53 mi
1h 3m
Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi
20m
South Eason Boulevard
4.9 mi
7m
West Main Avenue
2.1 mi
4m
Auburn Road
1.1 mi
2m
County Road 1438
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 115.1 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lumberton, MS and Auburn, MS.
1
Start on US 11
31 ft·2 sec·Highway 11
2
Turn right onto MS 13
2.1 mi·4 min·West Main Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Merge onto I 59
106 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59
9.0 mi·10 min·I 59
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, TuscaloosaUse the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward US 45 North: MaconUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto US 45
65 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, TupeloUse the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi·20 min·Martin Luther King Drive
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Eason Boulevard
11
Turn straight onto South Eason Boulevard
4.9 mi·7 min·South Eason Boulevard
12
Continue on CR 931
1.1 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
13
Turn right onto County Road 1438
119 ft·5 sec·County Road 1438
14
Arrive at destination
County Road 1438
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 130.1 miles from Lumberton, MS, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.1 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 57 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.1 miles or 2h 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 4h 1m
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 Lumberton, 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 Lumberton, MS
This is one driving day of about 260.2 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Lumberton, 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 I 59 for about 115.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 130.1 mi from Lumberton, MS
· 2h 24m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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 260.2
Park Closure: Partial Closure of Rocky Springs Trail
Park Closure: Temporary Blackland Prairie Trail Closure to Equestrians
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 251.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.30 one way
$78.59 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$43.14
$86.28
premium
$4.56
$46.70
$93.41
diesel
$5.61
$57.45
$114.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.1
0
$27.32
$12.49
Efficient EV
65.1
0
$22.77
$10.41
EV Truck/SUV
104.1
1
$36.43
$16.65
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Lumberton, MS
Late night
in Lumberton on Saturday
Local time
2:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Auburn, MS
Late night
in Auburn on Saturday
Local time
2:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 10 mph25% chanceLive forecast
79°F
Meridian, MS
130 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
29 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
5h 1m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lumberton, MS to Auburn, MS covers 260.2 miles and takes about 5h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 59, US 45, US Highway 45 Alternate. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 130.1 miles from Lumberton, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.30 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 260.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 13 / West Main Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 108.4 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lumberton, MS and Auburn, MS, road signs point toward Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and Tupelo National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
