Traveling from Auburn to Marks covers 101.4 miles across Mississippi, a journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 6 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes US 278, the Pontotoc Parkway West, and I-22 to navigate through the Southeast. Expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for the one-way trip. This straightforward drive is ideal for those looking to reach their destination efficiently rather than those seeking a multi-day sightseeing adventure. Since both towns are located within the same state, you will enjoy a consistent regional feel throughout your travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.7 miles from Auburn, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 278
46.4 mi
1h 1m
Pontotoc Parkway West
29.8 mi
34m
I 22
12.8 mi
13m
MS 9
9.8 mi
11m
Auburn Road / County Road 931
0.7 mi
1m
MS 6
0.5 mi
<1m
MS 3
0.2 mi
<1m
1st Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 278
— 46.4 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MS and Marks, 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
46 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 278; MS 6
13
Turn left onto MS 3
0.2 mi·31 sec·MS 3
14
Turn left onto Lamar Street
363 ft·16 sec·Lamar Street
15
Turn right onto 1st Street
402 ft·17 sec·1st Street
16
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 101.4-mile trek, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily make the drive in one go without scheduling mandatory stops, though checking your fuel levels before hitting the interstate is a smart precaution given the $16 estimated cost. Because the route is dominated by major highways, keep an eye on traffic patterns around the I-22 segments to ensure your timing remains on schedule. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential commuter traffic on the larger interchanges. Taking advantage of the route's direct nature allows you to arrive in Marks with plenty of energy left for your day.
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 50.7 miles from Auburn, MS, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.4 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 22 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.7 miles or 1h 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marks, 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 101.4 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Auburn, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 278 for about 46.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.8 and 101.3 — 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...
4
29.8 mi into trip|~36m in|US 278; MS 6 / Pontotoc Parkway West
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278; MS 6 / Pontotoc Parkway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
101.3 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|Lamar Street
Turn left onto Lamar Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.31 one way
$30.63 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$16.81
$33.62
premium
$4.56
$18.20
$36.40
diesel
$5.61
$22.39
$44.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.4
0
$10.65
$4.87
Efficient EV
25.4
0
$8.87
$4.06
EV Truck/SUV
40.6
0
$14.20
$6.49
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Auburn, MS
Late night
in Auburn on Tuesday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Marks, MS
Late night
in Marks on Tuesday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Oxford, MS
51 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
2 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
2h 6m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 7
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...
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
National Monument
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 101.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily focused on highway transit, with 98% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself behind the wheel for a longest uninterrupted stretch of 46.4 miles while navigating US 278. The drive transitions from local roads onto the efficient, fast-paced corridors of the Pontotoc Parkway West and I-22. Expect a consistent, highway-focused experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours. Being prepared for steady, consistent highway speeds will help you maintain a smooth pace for the duration of the two-hour drive.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.4 mi on US 278.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 278 and Pontotoc Parkway West. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13.8 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 101.4 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
488 ft161 ft
Total Climb
261 ft
Total Descent
431 ft
Highest Point
488 ft
~50.7 mi in
Elevation Range
327 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 Marks, MS, road signs point toward Pontotoc and University Of Mississippi.
Pontotoc
13.8 mi in|~16m
University Of Mississippi
24 mi in|~28m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 101.4 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 (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.4 miles on US 278. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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, Tupelo National Battlefield and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. 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 Marks, MS before heading back.
