Drive Time
4h 47m
Distance
239.8 mi
386 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
Photo: Shaun Iwasawa
If you are planning a trip from Water Valley to Oxford, be prepared for a journey that covers 239.8 miles and takes approximately 4 hours and 47 minutes. This route is designed as a highway-focused drive, making it well-suited for a one-day excursion. You should budget about $37 for fuel to complete the trip. Because the drive is contained entirely within the Southeast region of Mississippi, the transition between these two points is straightforward and consistent. Given the duration, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay, though you will want to account for at least one planned stop along the way.
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
119.9 miles from Water Valley, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Expect a trip defined by its highway-focused nature, with 93% of the travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of MS 7, I 55, and US 84 as you move between these two Mississippi towns. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel involves a 124.4-mile stretch on MS 7, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the drive. While the route offers a steady pace, the mix of interstate and state highway travel means you should stay alert as the road conditions shift from high-speed corridors to local highway segments.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 7 and I 55. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near MS 32, MS 315 / Frostland Drive.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 47m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (MS 32, MS 315 / Frostland Drive): Navigation decision point; at 144.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto MS 32, MS 315 / Frostland Drive
Navigation decision point
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
Take the exit toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto MS 184
Navigation decision point
Between Water Valley, MS and Oxford, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Natchez.
New Orleans
Natchez
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MS 7 | 124.4 mi | 2h 15m |
| I 55 | 71.6 mi | 1h 19m |
| US 84 | 22.7 mi | 26m |
| Gloster Road | 6.5 mi | 15m |
| Oxford-Meadville Road | 6.3 mi | 15m |
| Yap 3 Road | 2.6 mi | 6m |
| US 98 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| MS 184 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Water Valley, MS and Oxford, MS.
Start on Main Street
Turn right onto MS 32, MS 315
Turn left onto MS 7
Take the exit onto MS 7
Continue on I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 84
Turn left onto MS 184
Turn left onto US 98
Turn right onto Yap 3 Road
Continue on Gloster Road
At end of road, turn right onto Gloster Road
Continue on Oxford-Meadville Road
Arrive at destination
Because this trip spans nearly five hours, aim to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and avoid heavy traffic. With only one recommended stop, pacing is key; use that break to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle to stay within your $37 budget. Keep a close watch on your odometer during the 124.4-mile MS 7 stretch, as this is where you will spend the bulk of your travel time. Since the route is primarily highway-based, take advantage of the flexibility this drive offers by keeping your arrival schedule loose. Always verify your fuel gauge before starting that long primary stretch to ensure a smooth, worry-free transit.
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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.9 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oxford, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Water Valley, 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 Water Valley, MS
This is one driving day of about 239.8 miles and 4h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119.9 mi from Water Valley, MS · 2h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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 119.9 miles from Water Valley, 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 124.4 miles.
The final approach into Oxford, 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 Oxford, 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
$36.66 one way
$73.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $40.21 | $80.42 |
| premium | $4.61 | $43.52 | $87.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $53.28 | $106.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.18 | $11.51 |
| Efficient EV | 60 | 0 | $20.98 | $9.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.9 | 1 | $33.57 | $15.35 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Water Valley on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Oxford on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
120 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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