Traveling between New Albany and Oxford, Mississippi, covers a substantial 291-mile span that takes approximately 5 hours and 58 minutes of drive time. While both locations sit within the Southeast region, the route requires a significant commitment of time, making it best suited as a dedicated one-day journey. You should budget roughly $44 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Given the duration, you will likely want to plan for at least one strategic stop to break up the time behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused drive, it is a straightforward transit route rather than a leisurely backroads tour, so prepare for a steady pace across the state.
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
145.5 miles from New Albany, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 7
145.7 mi
2h 41m
I 55
71.6 mi
1h 19m
MS 30
30.1 mi
44m
US 84
22.7 mi
26m
Gloster Road
6.5 mi
15m
Oxford-Meadville Road
6.3 mi
15m
Yap 3 Road
2.6 mi
6m
US 98
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
MS 7
— 145.7 mi, about 2h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Albany, MS and Oxford, MS.
1
Start on Highland Street
96 ft·9 sec·Highland Street
2
Turn left onto North Railroad Avenue
210 ft·13 sec·North Railroad Avenue
3
Turn right onto MS 178
1.1 mi·2 min·West Bankhead Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto Highway 30 West
0.4 mi·43 sec·Highway 30 West
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on MS 30
30 mi·44 min·MS 30
6
Take the ramp onto MS 30
143 ft·11 sec·Mississippi Highway 30
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
8
Merge onto MS 7
8.4 mi·11 min·MS 7
9
Enter roundabout onto MS 7
124 ft·1 sec·MS 7
Toward MS 7 South: Water Valley
10
Continue on MS 7
36 mi·41 min·MS 7
Toward MS 7 South: Water Valley
11
Take the exit onto MS 7
101 mi·1 hr 48 min·MS 7
12
Continue on I 55
18 mi·21 min·I 55
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
54 mi·57 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: McComb, New Orleans
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
15
Keep slight right at fork
409 ft·9 sec
Toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
16
Merge onto US 84
23 mi·26 min·US 84
17
Turn left onto MS 184
1.4 mi·2 min·MS 184
18
Turn left onto US 98
1.9 mi·2 min·US 98
19
Turn right onto Yap 3 Road
2.6 mi·6 min·Yap 3 Road
20
Continue on Gloster Road
3.8 mi·9 min·Gloster Road
21
At end of road, turn right onto Gloster Road
2.8 mi·6 min·Gloster Road
22
Continue on Oxford-Meadville Road
6.3 mi·15 min·Oxford-Meadville Road
23
Arrive at destination
Oxford-Meadville Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a nearly six-hour trek, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and maximize your daylight hours. With your single planned stop, look for a midpoint opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel, as the $44 budget estimate assumes consistent highway fuel efficiency. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when navigating the long 145.7-mile segment on MS 7, as service intervals can vary. Because the route is highly highway-dependent, maintain steady speeds to ensure you stay within your fuel budget. Use the flexibility of this one-day itinerary to adjust your departure time based on local traffic patterns to ensure a smooth arrival in Oxford.
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 145.5 miles from New Albany, MS, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.7 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 64 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.5 miles or 2h 55m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oxford, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Albany, 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 New Albany, MS
This is one driving day of about 291 miles and 5h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from New Albany, 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 7 for about 145.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 249.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|MS 178 / West Bankhead Street
Turn right onto MS 178 / West Bankhead Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|Highway 30 West
Turn left onto Highway 30 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
40.3 mi into trip|~1h in|MS 7
Enter roundabout onto MS 7 toward MS 7 South: Water Valley
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward MS 7 South: Water Valley
6
195.5 mi into trip|~3h 51m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: McComb, New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South: McComb, New Orleans
7
249.6 mi into trip|~4h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.95 one way
$87.90 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$48.24
$96.49
premium
$4.56
$52.23
$104.46
diesel
$5.61
$64.25
$128.50
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: 101.8 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
87.3
1
$30.55
$13.97
Efficient EV
72.8
0
$25.46
$11.64
EV Truck/SUV
116.4
1
$40.74
$18.62
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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
New Albany, MS
Night
in New Albany on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 15 mph90% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Oxford, MS
Night
in Oxford on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 mph23% chanceLive 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
9 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 58m 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.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 190.7
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...
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...
Discover the history of all the peoples of Natchez, Mississippi, from European settlement, African enslavement, the American cotton economy, to the Civil Rights struggle on the lower Mississippi River...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 281
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 94% of your total mileage is spent on highways. Your journey relies on a combination of MS 7, I-55, and MS 30 to connect your start and finish points. The most significant portion of your time will be spent on MS 7, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 145.7 miles. This creates a consistent, rhythmic experience behind the wheel that favors efficiency over technical maneuvering. You will find that the character of the road remains largely predictable throughout the drive, allowing you to settle into a steady cruising speed for the vast majority of the day.
94% 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: 145.7 mi on MS 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 7 and I 55. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near MS 178 / West Bankhead Street.
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 291 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.1 miles (MS 178 / West Bankhead Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (Highway 30 West): Lane positioning matters here; at 40.3 miles (MS 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
445 ft208 ft
Total Climb
589 ft
Total Descent
520 ft
Highest Point
445 ft
~36.4 mi in
Elevation Range
238 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New Albany, MS and Oxford, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Natchez.
New Orleans
195.5 mi in|~3h 51m|via I 55
Natchez
249.3 mi in|~4h 49m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 58m. Total distance: 291 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 58m 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 145.7 miles on MS 7. 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.
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 0.1 miles (MS 178 / West Bankhead Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (Highway 30 West): Lane positioning matters here; at 40.3 miles (MS 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and Tupelo National Battlefield (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oxford, MS before the return drive.
