Spanning 291 miles across Mississippi, this journey from Auburn to Escatawpa typically takes about 5 hours and 41 minutes. Because of the nature of these local roads, you should plan for a full day of driving, though the trip is manageable as a single-day excursion. You will navigate primarily via Auburn Road/County Road 931, North Eason Boulevard, and US 45 South. Budgeting approximately $44 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since both towns sit within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent regional atmosphere throughout the trek. It is a straightforward, practical route for those who prefer navigating local corridors over major interstates.
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
145.5 miles from Auburn, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 45
76.4 mi
1h 28m
US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 45 Alternate
54.7 mi
1h 6m
MS 63
50.4 mi
57m
MS 57
24.7 mi
28m
Martin Luther King Drive
7.7 mi
8m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
North Eason Boulevard
5.1 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 45
— 76.4 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MS and Escatawpa, 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
19 mi·21 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 45
0.7 mi·46 sec·US 45
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 45
3.7 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 45
5.4 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 45
5.5 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 45
2.7 mi·3 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 45
1.7 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 45
9.8 mi·11 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 45
2.0 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 45
4.9 mi·5 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 45
17 mi·20 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 57
2.2 mi·2 min·MS 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on MS 57
23 mi·25 min·MS 57
Use the straight lane.
28
Continue on MS 63
50 mi·57 min·MS 63
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
30
Merge onto I 10
0.4 mi·24 sec·I 10
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward MS 613: Moss Point, Pascagoula
32
Keep slight right at fork
265 ft·6 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 41 minute duration, aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight for your navigation. Since the route involves a high volume of turns on local roads, factor in at least one scheduled stop to stretch your legs and reset your focus. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $44 cost estimate assumes steady driving conditions on local routes. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so do not hesitate to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected traffic on the smaller roads. A helpful tip for this specific trip is to double-check your GPS frequently, as the reliance on County Road 931 and local boulevards can make navigation more complex than sticking to a single highway.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 145.5 miles from Auburn, MS, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.4 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 64 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.5 miles or 2h 54m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Escatawpa, 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 291 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 US 45 for about 76.4 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.2 and 291 — 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...
6
138.5 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
214.9 mi into trip|~4h 14m in|MS 57
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 57
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
290.8 mi into trip|~5h 41m in
Take the exit toward MS 613: Moss Point, Pascagoula
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 613: Moss Point, Pascagoula
5
291 mi into trip|~5h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.95 one way
$87.90 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$48.24
$96.49
premium
$4.56
$52.23
$104.46
diesel
$5.61
$64.25
$128.50
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: 101.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.3
1
$30.55
$13.97
Efficient EV
72.8
0
$25.46
$11.64
EV Truck/SUV
116.4
1
$40.74
$18.62
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 16, 2026
Origin
Auburn, MS
Night
in Auburn on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Escatawpa, MS
Night
in Escatawpa on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
S 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
79°F
Meridian, MS
146 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
4 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
5h 41m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will spend your time navigating through various local roads, which demands your full attention behind the wheel. The path feels intimate and grounded, trading fast-paced lanes for a series of connected local stretches. Because the route relies on smaller roads, you will find yourself navigating frequent turns that require a steady pace. It is a drive that rewards drivers who enjoy being actively engaged with the road rather than mindlessly following a highway. Prepare for a slower, more deliberate experience compared to travel on major state thoroughfares.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.4 mi on US 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 45 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 291 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 138.5 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.9 miles (MS 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 41m. Total distance: 291 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.4 miles on US 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Escatawpa, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.5 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.9 miles (MS 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Escatawpa, MS before the return drive.
