Traveling from Oxford to Brandon covers 172.7 miles of Mississippi terrain, typically requiring about 3 hours and 14 minutes of driving time. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused trip through the Southeast, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel for the journey. You will primarily utilize MS 7 before transitioning onto I-55 and I-20 to reach your destination. This route offers a direct connection between these two points, making it an efficient choice for travelers prioritizing speed over secondary roads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86.4 miles from Oxford, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 7
144.2 mi
2h 39m
I 55
15.6 mi
18m
I 20
9.5 mi
10m
West Government Street
1 mi
1m
University Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
South Lamar Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Courthouse Square
<0.1 mi
<1m
East Government Street
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
MS 7
— 144.2 mi, about 2h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oxford, MS and Brandon, MS.
1
Start on Courthouse Square
148 ft·11 sec·Courthouse Square
2
Continue on Courthouse Square
92 ft·4 sec·Courthouse Square
3
Turn right
55 ft·2 sec
4
Turn right onto South Lamar Boulevard
0.1 mi·26 sec·South Lamar Boulevard
5
Turn left onto MS 314
0.7 mi·1 min·University Avenue
6
Enter roundabout
36 ft·0 sec
7
Continue
0.2 mi·19 sec
8
Merge onto MS 7
6.8 mi·9 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
16 mi·18 min·I 55
13
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward I 20 East: Flowood, Meridian
15
Merge onto I 20
9.5 mi·10 min·I 20
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 80: Downtown Brandon
17
Turn right onto US 80
1.0 mi·1 min·West Government Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 80
Trip Plan
Since this 172.7-mile drive is easily manageable in one sitting, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. I recommend planning for at least one stop to stretch your legs, especially given the lengthy initial stretch on MS 7. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that 144.2-mile segment, as it represents the bulk of your time behind the wheel. Because the route relies almost exclusively on highways, traffic conditions on I-55 and I-20 will be the biggest factor in your total travel time. Checking for congestion on those interstates before you leave Oxford is a smart way to ensure your trip stays within that 3-hour and 14-minute estimate.
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 86.4 miles from Oxford, MS, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.2 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 38 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.4 miles or 1h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brandon, 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 172.7 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 7 for about 144.2 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 161.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Lamar Boulevard
Turn right onto South Lamar Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|MS 314 / University Avenue
Turn left onto MS 314 / University Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
7.9 mi into trip|~12m 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
5
160.8 mi into trip|~3h in
Take the exit toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattie...
6
161.7 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Flowood, Meridian
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East: Flowood, Meridian
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.08 one way
$52.16 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$28.63
$57.26
premium
$4.56
$31.00
$62.00
diesel
$5.61
$38.13
$76.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.8
0
$18.13
$8.29
Efficient EV
43.2
0
$15.11
$6.91
EV Truck/SUV
69.1
0
$24.18
$11.05
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Oxford, MS
Late night
in Oxford on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brandon, MS
Late night
in Brandon on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
79°F
Grenada, MS
86 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
15 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
3h 14m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 154.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 98% of the route consisting of highway driving, you can expect a high-speed, consistent pace for the vast majority of your journey. The most significant portion of your drive involves a 144.2-mile stretch on MS 7, which sets the tone for the trip. Once you transition onto I-55 and I-20, the character of the road shifts to standard interstate travel. Because the route is so heavily reliant on major corridors, it feels like a functional, no-nonsense transit path rather than a winding scenic detour. You will spend very little time navigating local streets, keeping the experience predictable from start to finish.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.2 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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Lamar Boulevard.
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 172.7 miles you will encounter 11 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 (South Lamar Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (MS 314 / University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 7.9 miles (MS 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
508 ft304 ft
Total Climb
41 ft
Total Descent
211 ft
Highest Point
508 ft
Elevation Range
204 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 Brandon, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg and Meridian.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 172.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 144.2 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.
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 0.1 miles (South Lamar Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (MS 314 / University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 7.9 miles (MS 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Brandon, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
