The drive from Ripley, MS to Oxford, MS covers 312.6 miles and takes about 6h 29m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on MS 7, I 55, MS 30 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 145.7 miles on MS 7.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.21 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
156.3 miles from Ripley, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 29m. Total distance: 312.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 29m highway drive covering 312.6 miles, with most of the trip on MS 7 and I 55. The longest continuous stretch is about 145.7 miles on MS 7.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MS 7 is the longest continuous segment at about 145.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
497 ft203 ft
Total Climb
671 ft
Total Descent
728 ft
Highest Point
497 ft
~267.9 mi in
Elevation Range
294 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 7 and I 55. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near MS 15 / City Avenue South.
Driving Effort6/10
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 312.6 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.5 miles (MS 15 / City Avenue South): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.6 miles (MS 30): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.8 miles (MS 30): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|MS 15 / City Avenue South
Turn right onto MS 15 / City Avenue South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
20.6 mi into trip|~31m in|MS 30
Take the ramp onto MS 30 toward I-22 West, US 78 West: Memphis
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-22 West, US 78 West: Memphis
5
22.8 mi into trip|~34m in|MS 30
Take the exit onto MS 30 toward MS 30 West: West New Albany, Oxford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 30 West: West New Albany, Oxford
6
217 mi into trip|~4h 22m in|I 55
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
Toward I 55 South: McComb, New Orleans
7
271.1 mi into trip|~5h 20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ripley, MS and Oxford, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Natchez.
New Orleans
217 mi in|~4h 22m|via I 55
Natchez
270.8 mi in|~5h 20m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 7
145.7 mi
2h 41m
I 55
71.6 mi
1h 19m
MS 30
32.5 mi
47m
US 84
22.7 mi
26m
City Avenue South
20.1 mi
29m
Gloster Road
6.5 mi
15m
Oxford-Meadville Road
6.3 mi
15m
Yap 3 Road
2.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
MS 7
— 145.7 mi, about 2h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ripley, MS and Oxford, MS.
1
Start on West Walnut Street
457 ft·22 sec·West Walnut Street
2
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
3
Turn right onto MS 15
20 mi·29 min·City Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp onto MS 30
2.2 mi·2 min·MS 30
Toward I-22 West, US 78 West: Memphis
5
Take the exit onto MS 30
0.2 mi·38 sec·MS 30
Toward MS 30 West: West New Albany, Oxford
6
Turn left onto MS 30
30 mi·44 min·MS 30
7
Take the ramp onto MS 30
143 ft·11 sec·Mississippi Highway 30
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
9
Merge onto MS 7
8.4 mi·11 min·MS 7
10
Enter roundabout onto MS 7
124 ft·1 sec·MS 7
Toward MS 7 South: Water Valley
11
Continue on MS 7
36 mi·41 min·MS 7
Toward MS 7 South: Water Valley
12
Take the exit onto MS 7
101 mi·1 hr 48 min·MS 7
13
Continue on I 55
18 mi·21 min·I 55
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
54 mi·57 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: McComb, New Orleans
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
16
Keep slight right at fork
409 ft·9 sec
Toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
17
Merge onto US 84
23 mi·26 min·US 84
18
Turn left onto MS 184
1.4 mi·2 min·MS 184
19
Turn left onto US 98
1.9 mi·2 min·US 98
20
Turn right onto Yap 3 Road
2.6 mi·6 min·Yap 3 Road
21
Continue on Gloster Road
3.8 mi·9 min·Gloster Road
22
At end of road, turn right onto Gloster Road
2.8 mi·6 min·Gloster Road
23
Continue on Oxford-Meadville Road
6.3 mi·15 min·Oxford-Meadville Road
24
Arrive at destination
Oxford-Meadville Road
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 156.3 miles from Ripley, MS, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.7 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 69 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.3 miles or 3h 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 5h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oxford, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ripley, 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 Ripley, MS
This is one driving day of about 312.6 miles and 6h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Ripley, 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 7 for about 145.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 156.3 mi from Ripley, MS
· 3h 15m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 215.6
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 21.6
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 21.6
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
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 301.8
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.8
1
$32.82
$15.00
Efficient EV
78.2
0
$27.35
$12.50
EV Truck/SUV
125
1
$43.76
$20.01
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Ripley, MS
Morning
in Ripley on Friday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oxford, MS
Morning
in Oxford on Friday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Batesville, MS
156 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
28 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
6h 29m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ripley, MS to Oxford, MS covers 312.6 miles and takes about 6h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MS 7, I 55, MS 30. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 156.3 miles from Ripley, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.21 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 312.6 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.5 miles (MS 15 / City Avenue South): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.6 miles (MS 30): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.8 miles (MS 30): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ripley, MS and Oxford, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Natchez.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 203 ft to 497 ft elevation with about 671 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and Tupelo National Battlefield. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
Elevation is sampled from
USGS 3DEP.
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.
