The drive from Saint Martin, MS to Auburn, MS covers 311.2 miles and takes about 6h 6m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, 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 88.4 miles on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.00 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
155.6 miles from Saint Martin, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 6m. Total distance: 311.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 6m highway drive covering 311.2 miles, with most of the trip on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway and US 45. The longest continuous stretch is about 88.4 miles on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 88.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway and US 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 311.2 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: at 24.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.2 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.4 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
6
24.9 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 49 North: Hattiesburg, Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 49 North: Hattiesburg, Jackson
7
70.2 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|US 98
Take the exit onto US 98 toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
8
159.4 mi into trip|~3h 4m 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
168.4 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
233.8 mi into trip|~4h 30m 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 Saint Martin, MS and Auburn, MS, road signs point toward Jackson, Laurel, Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
Jackson
24.9 mi in|~32m
Laurel
70.2 mi in|~1h 26m|via US 98
Tuscaloosa
159.4 mi in|~3h 4m|via I 59
Tupelo
233.8 mi in|~4h 30m|via US 45 ALT
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
88.4 mi
1h 35m
US 45
65.1 mi
1h 14m
US Highway 45 Alternate
53 mi
1h 3m
US 49
42.2 mi
49m
MS 15
20.7 mi
24m
Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi
20m
I 59
9 mi
10m
South Eason Boulevard
4.9 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
— 88.4 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Martin, MS and Auburn, MS.
1
Start on Needle Street
505 ft·27 sec·Needle Street
2
Turn left onto Sundown Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Sundown Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto Lemoyne Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Lemoyne Boulevard
4
Turn left onto Gorenflo Road
0.5 mi·57 sec·Gorenflo Road
5
Turn right onto Rodriguez Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·Rodriguez Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
7
Merge onto I 110
1.3 mi·1 min·I 110
8
Continue on MS 15; MS 67
21 mi·24 min·MS 15; MS 67
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward US 49 North: Hattiesburg, Jackson
10
Merge onto US 49
40 mi·46 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 49
2.4 mi·2 min·US 49
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
13
Merge onto US 98
2.5 mi·2 min·US 98
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 98
0.8 mi·1 min·US 98
Toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, LaurelUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 59; US 98
88 mi·1 hr 35 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward US 45 North: MaconUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto US 45
65 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
19
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.
20
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi·20 min·Martin Luther King Drive
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Eason Boulevard
22
Turn straight onto South Eason Boulevard
4.9 mi·7 min·South Eason Boulevard
23
Continue on CR 931
1.1 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
24
Turn right onto County Road 1438
119 ft·5 sec·County Road 1438
25
Arrive at destination
County Road 1438
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 155.6 miles from Saint Martin, MS, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.4 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 68 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.6 miles or 3h 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 55m
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 Saint Martin, 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 Saint Martin, MS
This is one driving day of about 311.2 miles and 6h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Saint Martin, 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 Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway for about 88.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 155.6 mi from Saint Martin, MS
· 3h into the drive
The midpoint is around 155.6 miles from Saint Martin, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.4 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.
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 311.2
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 300.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.00 one way
$94.00 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$51.59
$103.19
premium
$4.56
$55.86
$111.71
diesel
$5.61
$68.71
$137.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
10 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Biloxi, Mississippi
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Biloxi, Mississippi
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Tupelo, Mississippi
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Biloxi, Mississippi
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Biloxi, Mississippi
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Biloxi, Mississippi
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Tupelo, Mississippi
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Biloxi, Mississippi
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination: 4
Other: 3
ChargePoint: 3
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.4
1
$32.68
$14.94
Efficient EV
77.8
0
$27.23
$12.45
EV Truck/SUV
124.5
1
$43.57
$19.92
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% 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
Saint Martin, MS
Evening
in Saint Martin on Thursday
Local time
6:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Auburn, MS
Evening
in Auburn on Thursday
Local time
6:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Meridian, 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
20 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 6m 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 Saint Martin, MS to Auburn, MS covers 311.2 miles and takes about 6h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, 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 155.6 miles from Saint Martin, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.00 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 is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 311.2 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: at 24.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.2 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.4 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Saint Martin, MS and Auburn, MS, road signs point toward Jackson, Laurel, Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
