Drive Time
3h 6m
Distance
164.8 mi
265 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Photo: Alexander Krivitskiy
Traveling from Oxford to Pearl covers 164.8 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 6 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major routes, specifically MS 7, I-55, and I-20. With a fuel budget estimated at $25, the journey is relatively economical for a trip across the heart of Mississippi. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will remain in a familiar climate and landscape throughout the transit. Whether you are heading south for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a predictable and efficient way to reach your destination.
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
82.4 miles from Oxford, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Expect a drive defined by speed and efficiency, as a full 98% of this route is comprised of highway travel. You will spend the bulk of your time on a significant 144.2-mile stretch along MS 7, which sets the pace for the majority of the trip. The transition from the state highway system onto the I-55 and I-20 corridors means you will be settling into a consistent rhythm for most of the 3-hour duration. While the road is not technically demanding, the reliance on high-speed thoroughfares creates a focused, functional experience behind the wheel. Prepare for a steady, uninterrupted drive that prioritizes arrival time over winding backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 7 and I 55. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Lamar Boulevard.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 164.8 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.1 miles (South Lamar Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (MS 314 / University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 7.9 miles (MS 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto South Lamar Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto MS 314 / University Avenue
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto MS 7 toward MS 7 South: Water Valley
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the exit toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Flowood, Meridian
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MS 7 | 144.2 mi | 2h 39m |
| I 55 | 15.6 mi | 18m |
| I 20 | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| University Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Pearson Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Old Brandon Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Lamar Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Courthouse Square | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Oxford, MS and Pearl, MS.
Start on Courthouse Square
Continue on Courthouse Square
Turn right
Turn right onto South Lamar Boulevard
Turn left onto MS 314
Enter roundabout
Continue
Merge onto MS 7
Enter roundabout onto MS 7
Continue on MS 7
Take the exit onto MS 7
Continue on I 55
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 20
Take the exit
Turn left onto MS 468
Turn straight
Turn slight right onto Old Brandon Road
Turn right onto Pine Park Drive
Turn left onto Old Country Club Road
Arrive at destination
To keep your 3-hour journey manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since you have 164.8 miles of highway ahead, leaving during off-peak hours can help you avoid potential congestion on the interstate segments near your arrival. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Oxford, as the $25 estimate assumes consistent highway speeds rather than idling in traffic. Because the drive is short enough to handle in one go, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. A smart tip for this specific route is to prioritize your rest break toward the middle of the drive, especially as you transition from MS 7 to the interstate system.
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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.4 miles or 1h 34m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pearl, MS than in the middle of the route.
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 164.8 miles and 3h 6m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.4 mi from Oxford, MS · 1h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 82.4 miles from Oxford, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MS 7 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 144.2 miles.
The final approach into Pearl, 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 Pearl, 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
$25.19 one way
$50.39 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $27.63 | $55.27 |
| premium | $4.61 | $29.91 | $59.82 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $36.61 | $73.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.4 | 0 | $17.30 | $7.91 |
| Efficient EV | 41.2 | 0 | $14.42 | $6.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.9 | 0 | $23.07 | $10.55 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Oxford on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Pearl on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
64°F
Collierville, TN
82 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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