Spanning 192.8 miles across Mississippi, this drive connects Greenville to Auburn in approximately 4 hours and 4 minutes. Because the total duration is manageable, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $29 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will primarily navigate via US 278, US 61, and I-22 as you cross through the Southeast. This route is designed for efficiency, making it a straightforward option if your goal is simply to reach your destination reliably.
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
96.4 miles from City of Greenville, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 278
92.3 mi
1h 57m
US 61
64.4 mi
1h 18m
I 22
12.7 mi
13m
MS 9
9.8 mi
11m
MS 182
7.8 mi
11m
South Broad Street
1.4 mi
2m
Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
1 mi
1m
Auburn Road
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 278
— 92.3 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Greenville, MS and Auburn, MS.
1
Start on Sandy Avenue
46 ft·3 sec·Sandy Avenue
2
Turn right onto East Reed Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Reed Road
3
Turn left onto MS 1
1.0 mi·1 min·Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
4
Continue on MS 182
7.8 mi·11 min·MS 182
5
Turn left onto South Broad Street
1.4 mi·2 min·South Broad Street
6
Turn straight onto Old Hwy 61
0.8 mi·1 min·Old Hwy 61
7
At end of road, turn right onto Griffin Road
145 ft·2 sec·Griffin Road
8
Turn left onto US 61; US 278
64 mi·1 hr 18 min·US 61; US 278
9
Take the exit onto US 278
0.4 mi·50 sec·US 278
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278
92 mi·1 hr 56 min·US 278
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward MS 9: Pontotoc, Sherman
12
Keep slight left at fork
236 ft·12 sec
Toward MS 9 North: Sherman
13
Turn left onto MS 9
9.8 mi·11 min·MS 9
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: TupeloUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto I 22; US 78
13 mi·13 min·I 22; US 78
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward Auburn Road
17
Keep slight left at fork
268 ft·7 sec
18
Turn left onto CR 931
0.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
19
Turn right onto County Road 1438
119 ft·5 sec·County Road 1438
20
Arrive at destination
County Road 1438
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip with only one recommended stop, planning is straightforward and offers plenty of flexibility. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid potential traffic fluctuations on the main highway corridors. Given the 192.8-mile distance, use your single stop strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the final leg of the drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the journey to ensure you stay within your estimated $29 budget. A smart tip for this specific route is to check your navigation app before leaving to account for any real-time conditions on the US 278 and I-22 segments.
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 96.4 miles from City of Greenville, MS, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.3 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 42 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.4 miles or 2h 2m 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 21m
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 City of Greenville, 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 City of Greenville, MS
This is one driving day of about 192.8 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from City of Greenville, 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 92.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 76.5 and 178.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
76.5 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|US 278
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
168.5 mi into trip|~3h 34m in
Take the exit toward MS 9: Pontotoc, Sherman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 9: Pontotoc, Sherman
5
168.8 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MS 9 North: Sherman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward MS 9 North: Sherman
6
168.9 mi into trip|~3h 35m in|MS 9
Turn left onto MS 9
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
178.7 mi into trip|~3h 47m in
Take the exit toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.12 one way
$58.23 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$31.96
$63.93
premium
$4.56
$34.61
$69.21
diesel
$5.61
$42.57
$85.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.8
0
$20.24
$9.25
Efficient EV
48.2
0
$16.87
$7.71
EV Truck/SUV
77.1
0
$26.99
$12.34
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
23 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 16, 2026
Origin
City of Greenville, MS
Night
in City of Greenville on Saturday
Local time
11:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Auburn, MS
Night
in Auburn on Saturday
Local time
11:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4h 4m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 186.2
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 186.2
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
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 73.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 97% of the journey spent on highways, this trip is clearly built for speed and consistency rather than winding backroads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the pavement, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 92.3 miles found on US 278. The character of the drive is strictly highway-focused, meaning you can expect a fairly uniform experience behind the wheel for the majority of the four-hour duration. Because the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, you will find it predictable and well-suited for long-distance travel.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.3 mi on US 278.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 278 and US 61. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 76.5 miles in near US 278.
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 13 significant decision points across 192.8 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 76.5 miles (US 278): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from City of Greenville, MS to Auburn, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Sherman along the way.
Sherman
168.5 mi in|~3h 34m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 192.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.3 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.
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 76.5 miles (US 278): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Auburn, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
