Origin
Carriere, MS
Late night in Carriere on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carriere, MS to Auburn, MS
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 36m
Distance
291.3 mi
469 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 23m
★
6 AM
5h 36m
8 AM
6h 3m
10 AM
5h 45m
12 PM
5h 43m
3 PM
5h 47m
5 PM
6h 1m
8 PM
5h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carriere, MS
大 董
Auburn, MS
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
Carriere, MS to Auburn, MS is 291.3 miles and takes about 5h 36m via I 59 and US 45, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, primarily in Mississippi, offering a straightforward journey. You'll find it’s a highway-focused trip, making it a solid choice for a single-day excursion. The relatively short duration and manageable distance mean you can focus on getting to your destination without feeling rushed.
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
145.7 miles from Carriere, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 145.8 mi | 2h 37m |
| US 45 | 65.1 mi | 1h 14m |
| US Highway 45 Alternate | 53 mi | 1h 3m |
| Martin Luther King Drive | 18.1 mi | 20m |
| South Eason Boulevard | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| West Union Road | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| Auburn Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Railroad Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 145.8 mi, about 2h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carriere, MS and Auburn, MS.
1
Start on Railroad Street
511 ft
·
20 sec
·
Railroad Street
2
Turn right onto West Union Road
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
West Union Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
4
Merge onto I 59
137 mi
·
2 hr 27 min
·
I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
I 59
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 45 North: Macon
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto US 45
65 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 45
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT
53 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
US Highway 45 Alternate
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupelo
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Martin Luther King Drive
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward Eason Boulevard
11
Turn straight onto South Eason Boulevard
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
South Eason Boulevard
12
Continue on CR 931
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Auburn Road
13
Turn right onto County Road 1438
119 ft
·
5 sec
·
County Road 1438
14
Arrive at destination
County Road 1438
Trip Plan
Given the drive duration of under six hours, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Aiming to leave in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the 291.3 miles. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch being over 145 miles, plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly, perhaps around the midway point or before you begin the longest segment on I 59. The estimated fuel cost of $44 is helpful for budgeting.
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 145.7 miles from Carriere, MS, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.8 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 64 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.7 miles or 2h 41m 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 29m
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 Carriere, 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 Carriere, MS
This is one driving day of about 291.3 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Carriere, 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 I 59 for about 145.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
146 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 145.7 miles from Carriere, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 145.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 213.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 59
Merge onto I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
139.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
I 59
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscalo...
6
148.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward US 45 North: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 45 North: Macon
5
148.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
US 45
Merge onto US 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
213.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m in
|
US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupel...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.99 one way
$87.99 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
102 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $48.29 | $96.59 |
| premium | $4.56 | $52.28 | $104.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $64.32 | $128.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.4 | 1 | $30.59 | $13.98 |
| Efficient EV | 72.8 | 0 | $25.49 | $11.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116.5 | 1 | $40.78 | $18.64 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Auburn, MS
Late night in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Meridian, MS
146 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
18 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
5h 36m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 291.3
Park Closure: Partial Closure of Rocky Springs Trail
Park Closure: Temporary Blackland Prairie Trail Closure to Equestrians
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 281.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 91% of your travel on interstates and major U.S. highways. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 145.8 miles on I 59, which will likely feel like the core of your journey. Expect a mix of high-speed travel on these main roads, punctuated by transitions between I 59, US 45, and US Highway 45 Alternate. The character is largely about covering distance efficiently rather than winding country roads.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145.8 mi on I 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 45. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 59.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 291.3 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 2.7 miles (I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.6 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Carriere, MS and Auburn, MS, road signs point toward Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
Tuscaloosa
139.6 mi in
|
~2h 34m
|
via I 59
Tupelo
213.9 mi in
|
~3h 59m
|
via US 45 ALT
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 291.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 145.8 miles on I 59. 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.6 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and Tupelo National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Auburn, MS before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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