Brookhaven to Auburn is 252.9 miles and takes about 4h 56m via MS Hwy 25 and I 55, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, connecting two points in the Southeast region. With 84% of the route on highways, expect a relatively direct path for most of your drive. This is a straightforward, single-day trip for those looking for an efficient way to travel between these two Mississippi locations.
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
126.4 miles from Brookhaven, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS Hwy 25
79.6 mi
1h 30m
I 55
55.1 mi
1h
MS 25
43.5 mi
50m
US Highway 45 Alternate
34.6 mi
42m
Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi
20m
Lakeland Drive
12.3 mi
14m
South Eason Boulevard
4.9 mi
7m
Auburn Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
MS Hwy 25
— 79.6 mi, about 1h 30m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 50 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~3,573 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~221 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 92 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 Brookhaven, MS and Auburn, MS.
1
Start on MS 184
0.5 mi·1 min·East Monticello Street
2
Turn right onto MS 550
0.1 mi·15 sec·Schwem Avenue
3
Turn left onto MS 550
528 ft·10 sec·West Congress Street
4
Continue on MS 550
0.3 mi·39 sec·Union Church Road
5
Turn right onto US 51
0.7 mi·1 min·US 51
6
Turn left onto Union St Extended Northeast
0.8 mi·1 min·Union St Extended Northeast
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
8
Merge onto I 55
49 mi·52 min·I 55
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
2.1 mi·2 min·I 55
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
4.2 mi·5 min·I 55
Toward Grenada, Memphis
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward MS 25 North: Carthage
12
Turn right onto MS 25
12 mi·14 min·Lakeland Drive
13
Continue on MS 25
80 mi·1 hr 30 min·MS Hwy 25
14
Take the exit onto MS 25
25 mi·29 min·MS 25
15
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
2.4 mi·2 min·MS 25
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on MS 25
3.8 mi·4 min·MS 25
17
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
12 mi·13 min·MS 25
Toward US 82 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West Point
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward US 45 Alternate North, MS 25 North: West Point, Tupelo
19
Merge onto US 45 ALT; MS 25
35 mi·42 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi·20 min·Martin Luther King Drive
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Eason Boulevard
22
Turn straight onto South Eason Boulevard
4.9 mi·7 min·South Eason Boulevard
23
Continue on CR 931
1.1 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
24
Turn right onto County Road 1438
119 ft·5 sec·County Road 1438
25
Arrive at destination
County Road 1438
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 56m duration, starting your drive after breakfast should allow ample time to reach Auburn before evening. With only one recommended stop and the majority of the miles on highways, pacing isn't a major concern. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 79.6-mile stretch on MS Hwy 25, as services might be less frequent. This is a manageable single-day trip, so you have flexibility to depart later if needed.
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 126.4 miles from Brookhaven, MS, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.6 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 56 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.4 miles or 2h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brookhaven, 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 Brookhaven, MS
This is one driving day of about 252.9 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Brookhaven, 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 Hwy 25 for about 79.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 53.8 and 193.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
53.8 mi into trip|~1h in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward Grenada, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Grenada, Memphis
6
175.1 mi into trip|~3h 20m in|MS 25
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
181.3 mi into trip|~3h 27m in|MS 25
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25 toward US 82 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West Point
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 82 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West...
5
193.6 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 45 Alternate North, MS 25 North: West Point, Tupelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 45 Alternate North, MS 25 North: West...
5
193.8 mi into trip|~3h 41m in|US 45 ALT; MS 25 / US Highway 45 Alternate
Merge onto US 45 ALT; MS 25 / US Highway 45 Alternate
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.37 one way
$78.74 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$43.40
$86.80
premium
$4.71
$46.91
$93.81
diesel
$6.18
$61.52
$123.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.9
0
$26.55
$12.14
Efficient EV
63.2
0
$22.13
$10.12
EV Truck/SUV
101.2
1
$35.41
$16.19
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Brookhaven, MS
Late night
in Brookhaven on Monday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Auburn, MS
Late night
in Auburn on Monday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
86°F
Pearl River, MS
126 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
3 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
4h 56m 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.
Tupelo National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 244.2
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 52.3
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
near mile 252.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 84% of the 252.9 miles on faster roads like MS Hwy 25 and I 55. You'll experience a long stretch of 79.6 miles on MS Hwy 25, offering a sense of continuous travel. The remaining miles will transition to surface roads, likely with more frequent intersections and a change in pace as you approach your destination.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.6 mi on MS Hwy 25.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS Hwy 25 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 53.8 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 252.9 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 53.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.1 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.3 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
493 ft190 ft
Total Climb
387 ft
Total Descent
549 ft
Highest Point
493 ft
Elevation Range
303 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brookhaven, MS and Auburn, MS, road signs point toward Grenada, Memphis, Point and Tupelo.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 252.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.6 miles on MS Hwy 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 Auburn, 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 53.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.1 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.3 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Tupelo National Battlefield, Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Auburn, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
