This 98.4-mile drive from Oxford, MS to Jackson, MS is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 11 minutes. The majority of your journey, 81% to be exact, will be on highways, offering a straightforward transit through Mississippi's Southeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, this route is quite budget-friendly for a day excursion. You'll primarily navigate via I-55, with brief transitions onto US 84 and Gloster Road. This highway-focused profile makes it an efficient option for getting from point A to point B without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.2 miles from Oxford, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 98.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 98.4-mile route, with 81% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 53.2 miles on I-55, allowing for consistent momentum. While the bulk of the journey is on the interstate, the inclusion of US 84 and Gloster Road offers a slight variation before reaching your destination. This blend suggests a drive that's largely about covering ground efficiently, rather than one filled with winding backroads or extensive scenic overlooks.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 53.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 84. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 9.1 miles in near Gloster Road.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 11m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.1 miles (Gloster Road): Navigation decision point; at 15.4 miles (US 98 / United States Highway 98): Navigation decision point; at 17.2 miles (MS 184 / Old US Hwy 84): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
9.1 mi into trip|~21m in|Gloster Road
At end of road, turn left onto Gloster Road
Navigation decision point
3
15.4 mi into trip|~37m in|US 98 / United States Highway 98
Turn left onto US 98 / United States Highway 98
Navigation decision point
3
17.2 mi into trip|~39m in|MS 184 / Old US Hwy 84
Turn right onto MS 184 / Old US Hwy 84
Navigation decision point
3
18.7 mi into trip|~41m in|US 84
Turn right onto US 84
Navigation decision point
5
95 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|US 51 / South State Street
Keep slight left at fork onto US 51 / South State Street toward US 51 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 51 North
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
53.2 mi
57m
US 84
22.9 mi
26m
Gloster Road
6.5 mi
15m
Oxford-Meadville Road
6.3 mi
15m
South State Street
3.1 mi
4m
Yap 3 Road
2.6 mi
6m
United States Highway 98
1.8 mi
2m
Old US Hwy 84
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 53.2 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oxford, MS and Jackson, MS.
1
Start on Oxford-Meadville Road
6.3 mi·15 min·Oxford-Meadville Road
2
Continue on Gloster Road
2.8 mi·6 min·Gloster Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto Gloster Road
3.8 mi·9 min·Gloster Road
4
Continue on Yap 3 Road
2.6 mi·6 min·Yap 3 Road
5
Turn left onto US 98
1.8 mi·2 min·United States Highway 98
6
Turn right onto MS 184
1.4 mi·2 min·Old US Hwy 84
7
Turn right onto US 84
23 mi·26 min·US 84
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
9
Merge onto I 55
53 mi·57 min·I 55
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 51
3.1 mi·4 min·South State Street
Toward US 51 North
11
Turn left onto East Pearl Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Pearl Street
12
Arrive at destination
East Pearl Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 11 minutes for this 98.4-mile trip, you have considerable flexibility in planning your departure. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive in Jackson with plenty of daylight, and the $15 fuel cost means you won't need frequent refueling stops. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-55 to US 84, as this is where the driving character shifts slightly. Since this is a convenient day trip, consider leaving a bit later in the day to enjoy a relaxed morning in Oxford before heading south.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.2 miles from Oxford, MS, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.2 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 22 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.2 miles or 1h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oxford, 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 Oxford, MS
This is one driving day of about 98.4 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Oxford, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 53.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.2 mi from Oxford, MS
· 1h 16m into the drive
The midpoint is around 49.2 miles from Oxford, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Jackson, MS
The final approach into Jackson, 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 Jackson, 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.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
Discover the history of all the peoples of Natchez, Mississippi, from European settlement, African enslavement, the American cotton economy, to the Civil Rights struggle on the lower Mississippi River...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 10.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.86 one way
$29.72 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$16.31
$32.63
premium
$4.56
$17.66
$35.32
diesel
$5.61
$21.73
$43.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.5
0
$10.33
$4.72
Efficient EV
24.6
0
$8.61
$3.94
EV Truck/SUV
39.4
0
$13.78
$6.30
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (65% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Oxford, MS
Late night
in Oxford on Friday
Local time
3:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jackson, MS
Late night
in Jackson on Friday
Local time
3:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Brookhaven, MS
49 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
24 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 11m 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 Oxford, MS to Jackson, MS covers 98.4 miles and takes about 2h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, US 84, Gloster Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.2 miles from Oxford, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.86 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.
This is a straightforward 2h 11m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.1 miles (Gloster Road): Navigation decision point; at 15.4 miles (US 98 / United States Highway 98): Navigation decision point; at 17.2 miles (MS 184 / Old US Hwy 84): Navigation decision point.
The route from Oxford, MS to Jackson, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Natchez National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
