This 232.8-mile journey from Collins to Auburn, Mississippi, is estimated to take around 3 hours and 43 minutes. With a fuel cost of approximately $36, this drive is well-suited as a single-day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace. You'll primarily navigate local roads, including stretches of Main Street, West 5th Street, and Sawmill Road. The route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout. Its 'turn-heavy' profile means you'll be actively engaged with the driving, making it a more dynamic experience than a straight highway cruise. This trip is perfect for those who enjoy navigating smaller roads and experiencing the local landscape.
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
115.6 miles from Collins, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 45
65.1 mi
1h 14m
US Highway 45 Alternate
53 mi
1h 3m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
50.8 mi
54m
US 84
25.9 mi
29m
Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi
20m
I 59
9 mi
10m
South Eason Boulevard
4.9 mi
7m
Auburn Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 45
— 65.1 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Collins, MS and Auburn, MS.
1
Start on South Beech Avenue
77 ft·5 sec·South Beech Avenue
2
Turn right onto MS 184
0.5 mi·48 sec·Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 84
26 mi·29 min·US 84
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on West 5th Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·West 5th Street
5
Continue on Sawmill Road
0.5 mi·58 sec·Sawmill Road
6
Enter roundabout onto Sawmill Road
163 ft·3 sec·Sawmill Road
7
Continue on Sawmill Road
0.3 mi·31 sec·Sawmill Road
8
Continue on North Magnolia Street
0.1 mi·13 sec·North Magnolia Street
9
Turn right onto Teresa Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Teresa Street
10
Turn left onto US 11
0.2 mi·22 sec·Cross Street
11
Turn right onto Chantilly Street
0.3 mi·29 sec·Chantilly Street
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
13
Merge onto I 59
51 mi·54 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59
9.0 mi·10 min·I 59
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, TuscaloosaUse the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward US 45 North: MaconUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto US 45
65 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
17
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, TupeloUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi·20 min·Martin Luther King Drive
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Eason Boulevard
20
Turn straight onto South Eason Boulevard
4.9 mi·7 min·South Eason Boulevard
21
Continue on CR 931
1.1 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
22
Turn right onto County Road 1438
119 ft·5 sec·County Road 1438
23
Arrive at destination
County Road 1438
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour and 43-minute duration, this 232.8-mile trip is easily accomplished in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for any spontaneous stops without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop and a low fuel cost of around $36, you have flexibility in your timing. Pay close attention to road signs, especially as you transition between Main Street, West 5th Street, and Sawmill Road, given the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route. This drive is ideal for those who prefer navigating local roads and experiencing the nuances of smaller communities along the way.
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 115.6 miles from Collins, MS, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.1 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 51 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.6 miles or 2h 11m 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 37m
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 Collins, 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 Collins, MS
This is one driving day of about 231.1 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Collins, 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 45 for about 65.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 153.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~0m in|US 84
Turn right onto US 84
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
27.2 mi into trip|~32m in|Sawmill Road
Enter roundabout onto Sawmill Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
79.3 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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
88.3 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
8
153.7 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
$34.90 one way
$69.80 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$38.31
$76.63
premium
$4.56
$41.48
$82.96
diesel
$5.61
$51.02
$102.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.3
0
$24.27
$11.09
Efficient EV
57.8
0
$20.22
$9.24
EV Truck/SUV
92.4
1
$32.35
$14.79
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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 Apr 21, 2026
Origin
Collins, MS
Late night
in Collins on Tuesday
Local time
4:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Auburn, MS
Late night
in Auburn on Tuesday
Local time
4:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Meridian, MS
116 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
7 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 31m 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
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 223.2
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 231.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the entire 232.8 miles, as this route features a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating a series of local roads, making it a more engaging driving experience. The absence of long highway stretches means you'll be more involved in the journey, with frequent turns and changes in scenery. While there's no longest uninterrupted stretch specified, the nature of a local drive suggests a consistent pace with opportunities to observe the surrounding environment. This type of route offers a more intimate connection with the landscape as you traverse it.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.1 mi on US 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 45 and US Highway 45 Alternate. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near US 84.
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 14 significant decision points across 231.1 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 0.5 miles (US 84): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.2 miles (Sawmill Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 79.3 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Collins, MS and Auburn, MS, road signs point toward Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
Tuscaloosa
79.3 mi in|~1h 28m|via I 59
Tupelo
153.7 mi in|~2h 54m|via US 45 ALT
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 31m. Total distance: 231.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.1 miles on US 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (US 84): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.2 miles (Sawmill Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 79.3 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Tupelo National Battlefield and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Auburn, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
