Embarking on this 316.4-mile journey from Auburn to Bay Saint Louis takes you across the state of Mississippi over roughly 6 hours and 19 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, you should plan for a full day behind the wheel. Budget approximately $48 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. While the trip is manageable in a single day, the winding nature of the roads means you will want to stay alert. Both your starting point and destination are nestled within the Southeast, keeping you in familiar terrain as you head toward the coast.
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
158.2 miles from Auburn, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 59
121.1 mi
2h 10m
US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 45 Alternate
54.7 mi
1h 6m
MS 603
25 mi
37m
South Main Street
15.7 mi
23m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
Martin Luther King Drive
7.7 mi
8m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 121.1 mi, about 2h 10m
Traffic on I-59
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~910 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,113
Quietest
2 AM
~86 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MS and Bay Saint Louis, MS.
1
Start on County Road 1438
119 ft·10 sec·County Road 1438
2
Turn left onto CR 931
1.1 mi·2 min·Auburn Road / County Road 931
3
Continue on North Eason Boulevard
5.1 mi·8 min·North Eason Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, PontotocUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto US 45; MS 6
1.9 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
6
Continue on US 45; US 278
7.7 mi·8 min·Martin Luther King Drive
7
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
8
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
9
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
10
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
11
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
12
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
16
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
121 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New OrleansUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward MS 53: Poplarville, Necaise
20
Turn left onto MS 53
16 mi·23 min·South Main Street
21
Continue on MS 603
25 mi·37 min·MS 603
22
Turn left onto US 90
2.1 mi·3 min·US 90
23
Turn right onto Main Street
1.1 mi·1 min·Main Street
24
Turn right onto South 2nd Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·South 2nd Street
25
Arrive at destination
South 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Since this route involves significant local road travel, aim for an early morning departure to ensure you reach Bay Saint Louis before dark. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the repetitive turns along the way. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can lead to unpredictable consumption compared to consistent highway driving; the estimated $48 cost is a helpful baseline for your budget. Because you are navigating non-highway routes, rely on a reliable GPS system to manage the frequent turns effectively. Staying flexible with your schedule is your best asset on this winding, 6-hour-plus trek.
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 158.2 miles from Auburn, MS, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.1 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 70 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.2 miles or 3h 9m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bay Saint Louis, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Auburn, 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 Auburn, MS
This is one driving day of about 316.4 miles and 6h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Auburn, 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 I 59 for about 121.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.2 and 272.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.2 mi into trip|~11m in
Turn left toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontotoc
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontot...
5
142.4 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
5
142.9 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|I 20; I 59
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
151 mi into trip|~3h 1m in|I 59
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
5
272.1 mi into trip|~5h 12m in
Take the exit toward MS 53: Poplarville, Necaise
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 53: Poplarville, Necaise
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.92 one way
$87.84 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$49.14
$98.28
premium
$4.29
$53.43
$106.85
diesel
$4.80
$59.74
$119.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.9
1
$33.22
$15.19
Efficient EV
79.1
0
$27.69
$12.66
EV Truck/SUV
126.6
1
$44.30
$20.25
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Auburn, MS
Late night
in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
4:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 5 to 10 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bay Saint Louis, MS
Late night
in Bay Saint Louis on Sunday
Local time
4:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
W 5 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
73°F
Newton, MS
158 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
1 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
6h 19m 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.
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
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 10.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a departure from the typical interstate experience, as this route relies on local connectors like Auburn Road, County Road 931, North Eason Boulevard, and US 45 South. With a highway share of 0%, you are trading high-speed monotony for a more technical, turn-heavy local drive. Navigating these secondary roads requires your full attention, as the path demands frequent adjustments rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of cruising. You will find that the road’s personality is defined by its local character, requiring a steady hand and a patient pace throughout the entire 316.4-mile duration.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 121.1 mi on I 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US Highway 45 Aiternate. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 316.4 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 6.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.9 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
474 ft23 ft
Total Climb
412 ft
Total Descent
720 ft
Highest Point
474 ft
~180.8 mi in
Elevation Range
450 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Auburn, MS and Bay Saint Louis, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Necaise.
New Orleans
151 mi in|~3h 1m|via I 59
Necaise
272.1 mi in|~5h 12m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Bay St Louis is a resort town in Hancock County on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Although it has the area's only casino, it is one of the quieter resorts.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 19m. Total distance: 316.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 121.1 miles on I 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Bay Saint Louis, MS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.9 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and Tupelo National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bay Saint Louis, MS before the return drive.
