If you are planning a trip from Oxford to Tupelo, prepare for a 292.5-mile journey that takes approximately 5 hours and 58 minutes behind the wheel. While the two cities are relatively close, this specific route takes a longer path, making it a highway-focused drive that is best suited for a single day of travel. You should budget about $45 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the entire trip takes place within Mississippi, you will remain in the Southeast region for the duration of the drive. It is a straightforward excursion that works well as a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
146.2 miles from Oxford, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS Hwy 25
79.6 mi
1h 30m
I 55
59.5 mi
1h 4m
MS 25
43.5 mi
50m
US Highway 45 Alternate
34.6 mi
42m
US 84
22.9 mi
26m
Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi
20m
Lakeland Drive
12.3 mi
14m
Gloster Road
6.5 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
MS Hwy 25
— 79.6 mi, about 1h 30m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 29 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,767 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~166 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Oxford, MS and Tupelo, MS.
1
Start on Oxford-Meadville Road
6.3 mi·15 min·Oxford-Meadville Road
2
Continue on Gloster Road
2.8 mi·6 min·Gloster Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto Gloster Road
3.8 mi·9 min·Gloster Road
4
Continue on Yap 3 Road
2.6 mi·6 min·Yap 3 Road
5
Turn left onto US 98
1.8 mi·2 min·United States Highway 98
6
Turn right onto MS 184
1.4 mi·2 min·Old US Hwy 84
7
Turn right onto US 84
23 mi·26 min·US 84
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
9
Merge onto I 55
53 mi·57 min·I 55
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
2.1 mi·2 min·I 55
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
4.2 mi·5 min·I 55
Toward Grenada, Memphis
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward MS 25 North: Carthage
13
Turn right onto MS 25
12 mi·14 min·Lakeland Drive
14
Continue on MS 25
80 mi·1 hr 30 min·MS Hwy 25
15
Take the exit onto MS 25
25 mi·29 min·MS 25
16
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
2.4 mi·2 min·MS 25
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on MS 25
3.8 mi·4 min·MS 25
18
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 25
12 mi·13 min·MS 25
Toward US 82 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West Point
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward US 45 Alternate North, MS 25 North: West Point, Tupelo
20
Merge onto US 45 ALT; MS 25
35 mi·42 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi·20 min·Martin Luther King Drive
22
Continue on US 45; MS 6
1.5 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
23
Take the exit onto MS 6
0.4 mi·49 sec·MS 6
Toward MS 6 East: Downtown Tupelo
24
Keep slight left at fork
170 ft·7 sec
25
Turn left onto MS 6
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto North Spring Street
230 ft·10 sec·North Spring Street
27
Arrive at destination
North Spring Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 292.5-mile drive, aim for an early departure to avoid potential traffic fluctuations on the main highways. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping in mind your $45 fuel estimate. Because this is a highway-heavy route, stay alert during the long 79.6-mile stretch on MS Hwy 25 where the scenery may be repetitive. Since the entire trip is designed as a one-day excursion, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on your personal comfort. Keep your tank topped off before leaving Oxford to ensure a smooth transition onto the interstate sections.
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 146.2 miles from Oxford, MS, or about 3h 6m 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 64 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.2 miles or 3h 6m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tupelo, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oxford, 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 Oxford, MS
This is one driving day of about 292.5 miles and 5h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Oxford, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 97.1 and 237.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
97.1 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
218.4 mi into trip|~4h 28m 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
224.6 mi into trip|~4h 35m 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
236.9 mi into trip|~4h 49m 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
237.2 mi into trip|~4h 50m 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
$40.60 one way
$81.21 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$45.43
$90.86
premium
$4.29
$49.39
$98.78
diesel
$4.80
$55.23
$110.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.8
1
$30.71
$14.04
Efficient EV
73.1
0
$25.59
$11.70
EV Truck/SUV
117
1
$40.95
$18.72
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Oxford, MS
Morning
in Oxford on Sunday
Local time
10:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
W 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tupelo, MS
Morning
in Tupelo on Sunday
Local time
10:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
WNW 0 to 5 mph14% chanceLive forecast
95°F
Forest, 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
20 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
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.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 292.5
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 100.8
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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 292.5
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 10.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by high-speed transit, with 83% of your journey spent on highways. You will primarily navigate via MS Hwy 25, I-55, and MS 25, which offer a consistent, efficient pace across the landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 79.6-mile segment on MS Hwy 25, requiring steady focus as you traverse the miles. The character of the road is functional and direct, favoring highway efficiency over technical local maneuvering. Whether you are cruising on the interstate or shifting onto state highways, the route maintains a predictable rhythm throughout the nearly six-hour duration.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 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?
8/10
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 97.1 miles in near I 55.
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 18 significant decision points across 292.5 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 97.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.4 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 224.6 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
496 ft257 ft
Total Climb
381 ft
Total Descent
533 ft
Highest Point
496 ft
~188 mi in
Elevation Range
239 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Oxford, MS and Tupelo, MS, road signs point toward Grenada, Memphis and Point.
Oxford is a historic, picturesque town in North Central Mississippi. With its scenic town square, acclaimed restaurants, unique boutiques, oak-shaded neighborhoods, and friendly people, Oxford is the model Southern town. Named after Oxford, England, in hopes of attracting a university, the town was selected as the home of the University of Mississippi in 1848, which dominates life here today.
Top landmarks
•Rowan Oak — William Faulkner's former home in Oxford, Mississippi
•Barnard Observatory — observatory at the University of Mississippi, USA
•Lyceum-The Circle Historic District — collection of historic buildings at the University of Mississippi in Oxford (USA...
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 58m. Total distance: 292.5 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 (83%). 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.
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 Tupelo, 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 97.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.4 miles (MS 25): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 224.6 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 (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 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tupelo, MS before the return drive.
