Connecting Auburn to Oxford requires covering 296.9 miles, a journey that typically takes 6 hours and 6 minutes of drive time. Because this route is entirely within Mississippi, you will experience the Southeast landscape from start to finish. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, though the six-hour duration means you should plan for at least one stop to break up the travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $45, the trip is relatively budget-friendly for a solo driver or a small group. This drive is designed for efficiency rather than leisure, prioritizing major thoroughfares to get you to your destination reliably. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider whether you want to tackle the full distance in one go or break it up to arrive in Oxford refreshed.
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
148.4 miles from Auburn, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 25
136.2 mi
2h 36m
I 55
59.9 mi
1h 5m
US Highway 45 Alternate
35.7 mi
43m
US 84
22.7 mi
26m
Martin Luther King Drive
7.7 mi
8m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
Gloster Road
6.5 mi
15m
Oxford-Meadville Road
6.3 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
MS 25
— 136.2 mi, about 2h 36m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 29 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,767 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~166 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.7×
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 Oxford, 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
36 mi·43 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto MS 25
12 mi·13 min·MS 25
Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville
14
Take the exit onto MS 25
5.0 mi·6 min·MS 25
Toward MS 25 South: Louisville
15
Continue on MS 25
1.9 mi·2 min·MS 25
Use the left lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
25 mi·28 min·MS 25
17
Take the exit onto MS 25
93 mi·1 hr 46 min·MS 25
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
19
Merge onto I 55
6.1 mi·7 min·I 55
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
54 mi·57 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: McComb, New Orleans
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
22
Keep slight right at fork
409 ft·9 sec
Toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
23
Merge onto US 84
23 mi·26 min·US 84
24
Turn left onto MS 184
1.4 mi·2 min·MS 184
25
Turn left onto US 98
1.9 mi·2 min·US 98
26
Turn right onto Yap 3 Road
2.6 mi·6 min·Yap 3 Road
27
Continue on Gloster Road
3.8 mi·9 min·Gloster Road
28
At end of road, turn right onto Gloster Road
2.8 mi·6 min·Gloster Road
29
Continue on Oxford-Meadville Road
6.3 mi·15 min·Oxford-Meadville Road
30
Arrive at destination
Oxford-Meadville Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour and 6-minute journey, try to depart early in the morning to avoid midday congestion on the busier stretches of I-55. Since the route includes one recommended stop, use that break to refuel and stretch your legs, especially after completing the long 136.2-mile segment on MS 25. Keep your $45 fuel budget in mind when planning your stops, as prices can fluctuate depending on where you exit the highway. Being flexible with your departure time is a major advantage for this trip, as it allows you to bypass peak traffic hours and reach Oxford on your own terms. Always double-check your navigation before hitting the road, as the combination of state and federal highways requires careful attention to signage.
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 148.4 miles from Auburn, MS, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.2 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 65 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.4 miles or 2h 58m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oxford, 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 296.9 miles and 6h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 MS 25 for about 136.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.2 and 255.4 — 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
58.9 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|MS 25
Take the exit onto MS 25 toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Starkville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 82 West, MS 12 West, MS 25 South: Sta...
6
201.3 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|I 55
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
Toward I 55 South: McComb, New Orleans
5
255.1 mi into trip|~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
7
255.4 mi into trip|~4h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.22 one way
$82.43 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$46.11
$92.23
premium
$4.29
$50.13
$100.27
diesel
$4.80
$56.06
$112.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.1
1
$31.17
$14.25
Efficient EV
74.2
0
$25.98
$11.88
EV Truck/SUV
118.8
1
$41.57
$19.00
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% 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
Morning
in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
10:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 5 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Oxford, MS
Morning
in Oxford on Sunday
Local time
10:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
W 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
95°F
Forest, MS
148 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 6m 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.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 194.5
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...
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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 10.2
Discover the history of all the peoples of Natchez, Mississippi, from European settlement, African enslavement, the American cotton economy, to the Civil Rights struggle on the lower Mississippi River...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 286.6
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 highway-focused, with 89% of your travel occurring on major roads like MS 25, I-55, and US Highway 45 Alternate. You should prepare for a significant amount of time behind the wheel, specifically during the longest stretch of 136.2 miles along MS 25. The character of the road shifts as you transition between these different highway types, requiring you to remain alert as traffic patterns change. While you will spend most of your time at highway speeds, the variety of roads ensures the drive remains functional and direct. Expect a consistent, forward-moving experience that prioritizes steady progress over technical or winding backroads.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.2 mi on MS 25.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 25 and I 55. 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 17 significant decision points across 296.9 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 58.9 miles (MS 25): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
568 ft227 ft
Total Climb
679 ft
Total Descent
580 ft
Highest Point
568 ft
~106 mi in
Elevation Range
341 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 Oxford, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Natchez.
New Orleans
201.3 mi in|~3h 59m|via I 55
Natchez
255.1 mi in|~4h 57m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Oxford is a historic, picturesque town in North Central Mississippi. With its scenic town square, acclaimed restaurants, unique boutiques, oak-shaded neighborhoods, and friendly people, Oxford is the model Southern town. Named after Oxford, England, in hopes of attracting a university, the town was selected as the home of the University of Mississippi in 1848, which dominates life here today.
Top landmarks
•Rowan Oak — William Faulkner's former home in Oxford, Mississippi
•Barnard Observatory — observatory at the University of Mississippi, USA
•Lyceum-The Circle Historic District — collection of historic buildings at the University of Mississippi in Oxford (USA...
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 6m. Total distance: 296.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 136.2 miles on MS 25. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Oxford, 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 9 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 58.9 miles (MS 25): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.3 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and Tupelo National Battlefield (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oxford, MS before the return drive.
