Oxford, MS to Water Valley, MS is 239.5 miles and takes about 4h 46m via I 55 and MS 7, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traveling between the Southeast regions. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward drive for those looking to cover ground efficiently. With a recommended single day, you can easily complete this route without needing an overnight stay, allowing for more flexibility in your schedule.
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
119.8 miles from Oxford, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
172.3 mi
3h 7m
MS 7
23.4 mi
26m
US 84
22.9 mi
26m
Gloster Road
6.5 mi
15m
Oxford-Meadville Road
6.3 mi
15m
Yap 3 Road
2.6 mi
6m
United States Highway 98
1.8 mi
2m
Old US Hwy 84
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 172.3 mi, about 3h 7m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 59 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,530 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~145 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.4×
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 Water Valley, 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
117 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 55
Toward Grenada, Memphis
12
Take the exit onto MS 7
23 mi·26 min·MS 7
Toward MS 7 North: Coffeeville
13
Turn right onto MS 32, MS 315
0.6 mi·1 min·Frostland Drive
14
At end of road, turn left onto MS 315
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
15
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 46m driving time, starting in the morning from Oxford, MS, will give you ample time to reach Water Valley, MS, well before evening. While there's only one recommended stop, the 172.3-mile stretch on I 55 is substantial, so plan for a fuel and rest break before you begin that segment. The total fuel cost is estimated at $38, so factor this into your budget. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart later if needed, but be mindful of daylight hours for the final leg on MS 7 and US 84.
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 119.8 miles from Oxford, MS, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 172.3 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 53 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.8 miles or 2h 33m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Water Valley, 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 239.5 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 I 55 for about 172.3 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.1 and 238.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
9.1 mi into trip|~21m in|Gloster Road
At end of road, turn left onto Gloster Road
Navigation decision point
4
95 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
4
214.1 mi into trip|~4h 16m in|MS 7
Take the exit onto MS 7 toward MS 7 North: Coffeeville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward MS 7 North: Coffeeville
5
238.1 mi into trip|~4h 44m in|MS 315 / South Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto MS 315 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.25 one way
$66.49 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$37.20
$74.40
premium
$4.29
$40.44
$80.88
diesel
$4.80
$45.22
$90.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.9
0
$25.15
$11.50
Efficient EV
59.9
0
$20.96
$9.58
EV Truck/SUV
95.8
1
$33.53
$15.33
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Oxford, MS
Late night
in Oxford on Sunday
Local time
5:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Water Valley, MS
Late night
in Water Valley on Sunday
Local time
5:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
WNW 0 to 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 46m 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
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 99.1
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
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 8.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily weighted towards highway travel, with 93% of the route on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 172.3 miles on I 55 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a consistent cruising experience with a relatively low number of exits during the highway portion. The final segment will involve navigating MS 7 and US 84, offering a change of pace from the interstate.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 172.3 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and MS 7. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 9.1 miles in near Gloster Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 46m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.1 miles (Gloster Road): Navigation decision point; at 95 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 97.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
466 ft223 ft
Total Climb
516 ft
Total Descent
658 ft
Highest Point
466 ft
~68.4 mi in
Elevation Range
244 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 Water Valley, MS, road signs point toward Grenada and Memphis.
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...
The longest stretch is about 172.3 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.1 miles (Gloster Road): Navigation decision point; at 95 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 97.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Natchez National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Water Valley, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
