Auburn, MS to Grenada, MS is 106.5 miles and takes about 2h 6m via MS 7 and I 22, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Mississippi, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a highway-focused experience for most of the journey, making it a straightforward trip. It's a good option if you're looking for a relatively short drive with minimal fuss, easily completed in a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.2 miles from Auburn, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 7
48.2 mi
56m
Pontotoc Parkway West
29.8 mi
34m
I 22
12.8 mi
13m
MS 9
9.8 mi
11m
Sunset Drive
2.4 mi
3m
US 278
1 mi
1m
Auburn Road / County Road 931
0.7 mi
1m
MS 6
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
MS 7
— 48.2 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MS and Grenada, MS.
1
Start on County Road 1438
119 ft·10 sec·County Road 1438
2
Turn left onto CR 931
0.7 mi·1 min·Auburn Road / County Road 931
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
4
Merge onto I 22; US 78
13 mi·13 min·I 22; US 78
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 76--Toward MS 9 South: Sherman, Pontotoc
6
Turn slight left
131 ft·10 sec
7
Turn left onto MS 9
9.8 mi·11 min·MS 9
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward US 278 West, MS 6 West: Oxford, University of MississippiUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto US 278; MS 6
5.4 mi·6 min·Pontotoc Parkway West
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278; MS 6
24 mi·28 min·Pontotoc Parkway West
11
Continue on MS 6; US 278
0.5 mi·35 sec·MS 6; US 278
12
Continue on US 278; MS 6
1.0 mi·1 min·US 278; MS 6
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward MS 7: Holly Springs, Water Valley
14
Keep slight left at fork
171 ft·7 sec
15
Merge onto MS 7
6.5 mi·8 min·MS 7
16
Enter roundabout onto MS 7
124 ft·1 sec·MS 7
Toward MS 7 South: Water Valley
17
Continue on MS 7
36 mi·41 min·MS 7
Toward MS 7 South: Water Valley
18
Take the exit onto MS 7
5.0 mi·5 min·MS 7
19
Take the exit onto MS 7
0.2 mi·31 sec·MS 7
20
Keep slight left at fork
277 ft·7 sec
21
Turn straight onto MS 7; MS 8; MS 333 Scenic
2.4 mi·3 min·Sunset Drive
22
Arrive at destination
MS 8; MS 333 Scenic
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 2 hours and 6 minutes, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive well before lunchtime. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, you won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops. The longest stretch without a break is 48.2 miles on MS 7, so plan a quick stop before or after that if you prefer. Since it's a single-day drive, you have the advantage of making spontaneous decisions about when to start or if you want to linger somewhere briefly.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.2 miles from Auburn, MS, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.2 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 23 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.2 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grenada, 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 106.5 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Auburn, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MS 7 for about 48.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.8 and 55.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
13.8 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward MS 9 South: Sherman, Pontotoc
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 76--
Toward MS 9 South: Sherman, Pontotoc
5
14.2 mi into trip|~17m in|MS 9
Turn left onto MS 9
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
24 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward US 278 West, MS 6 West: Oxford, University of Mississippi
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 278 West, MS 6 West: Oxford, Universi...
5
55.6 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward MS 7: Holly Springs, Water Valley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 7: Holly Springs, Water Valley
5
55.8 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.08 one way
$32.17 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$17.66
$35.31
premium
$4.56
$19.12
$38.23
diesel
$5.61
$23.51
$47.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32
0
$11.18
$5.11
Efficient EV
26.6
0
$9.32
$4.26
EV Truck/SUV
42.6
0
$14.91
$6.82
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Auburn, MS
Late night
in Auburn on Tuesday
Local time
5:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Grenada, MS
Late night
in Grenada on Tuesday
Local time
5:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 6m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 7.3
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?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the journey on main roads like MS 7, Pontotoc Parkway West, and I 22. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 48.2 miles on MS 7, offering a consistent pace. The character of the drive is largely defined by these main arteries, suggesting a smooth and efficient travel experience rather than a winding, scenic exploration. The focus is on covering ground effectively.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48.2 mi on MS 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 7 and Pontotoc Parkway West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.8 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 14 significant decision points across 106.5 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 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.2 miles (MS 9): Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Grenada, MS, road signs point toward Pontotoc, University Of Mississippi and Water Valley.
Pontotoc
13.8 mi in|~16m
University Of Mississippi
24 mi in|~28m
Water Valley
55.6 mi in|~1h 6m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 106.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.2 miles on MS 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Grenada, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.2 miles (MS 9): Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and Tupelo National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Grenada, MS before heading back.
