Spanning 159.1 miles across Mississippi, this drive from Auburn to Rosedale is a straightforward journey that typically takes 3 hours and 26 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this trip is perfectly suited as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $24 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Southeast, the drive maintains a consistent regional feel throughout the transit. It is a practical, highway-focused route that prioritizes efficiency for travelers looking to move between these two points with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.5 miles from Auburn, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 278
80.7 mi
1h 44m
Pontotoc Parkway West
29.8 mi
34m
Mississippi Highway 1
15.4 mi
22m
I 22
12.8 mi
13m
MS 9
9.8 mi
11m
East Main Street
6.6 mi
11m
Prospect Avenue
1 mi
1m
Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 278
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MS and Rosedale, 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
62 mi·1 hr 22 min·US 278; MS 6
13
Take the exit onto US 278
19 mi·22 min·US 278
14
Turn right onto MS 444
6.6 mi·11 min·East Main Street
15
At end of road, turn left onto MS 1
8.7 mi·12 min·Mississippi Highway 1
16
Continue on MS 1
1.0 mi·1 min·Prospect Avenue
17
Continue on MS 1
6.7 mi·9 min·Mississippi Highway 1
18
Continue on MS 1
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
MS 1
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 26-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than fighting heavy traffic. Since the itinerary includes one recommended stop, use that time to stretch your legs and refresh before tackling the final leg of the journey. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 80.7-mile stretch on US 278, as this is your longest period away from services. Planning your single stop in the middle of this stretch is a smart way to break up the drive effectively. Because the route is relatively short, you can comfortably complete the trip in one day without feeling rushed or fatigued.
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 79.5 miles from Auburn, MS, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.5 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rosedale, 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 159.1 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 278 for about 80.7 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 13.8 and 141.9 — 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
141.9 mi into trip|~3h in|MS 1 / Mississippi Highway 1
At end of road, turn left onto MS 1 / Mississippi Highway 1
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.03 one way
$48.06 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$26.38
$52.75
premium
$4.56
$28.56
$57.11
diesel
$5.61
$35.13
$70.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.7
0
$16.71
$7.64
Efficient EV
39.8
0
$13.92
$6.36
EV Truck/SUV
63.6
0
$22.27
$10.18
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 15, 2026
Origin
Auburn, MS
Night
in Auburn on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Rosedale, MS
Night
in Rosedale on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Batesville, MS
80 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
21 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
3h 26m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 5.5
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...
17 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 120.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by its highway-focused nature, with 94% of the journey taking place on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a primary path utilizing US 278, Pontotoc Parkway West, and Mississippi Highway 1. A significant portion of your time will be spent on US 278, which features the route’s longest uninterrupted stretch of 80.7 miles. The transition between these roads creates a steady pace, shifting from the primary highway corridors onto the state-specific sections as you approach your destination. While the drive is functional and direct, the varied road types provide a consistent experience behind the wheel.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.7 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 9 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 159.1 miles you will encounter 9 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.
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 Rosedale, 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 3h 26m. Total distance: 159.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m 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 80.7 miles on US 278. 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.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Rosedale, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
