This 191.8-mile drive from Oxford, MS to Meridian, MS is a straightforward, one-day trip, estimated to take about 3 hours and 4 minutes. With a fuel cost of approximately $29, it's an economical journey within the Southeast region. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile and zero highway share, meaning you'll be navigating city streets and county roads for the majority of the trip. This makes it a good candidate for a single-day adventure, allowing you to experience the local landscape without the monotony of interstate travel.
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
93.6 miles from Oxford, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 45 Alternate
54.7 mi
1h 6m
US 278
34.5 mi
41m
MS 6
21.2 mi
24m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
Old Highway 45 North
4.8 mi
7m
University Avenue
1.8 mi
4m
Front Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 45 Aiternate
— 60.6 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oxford, MS and Meridian, 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 onto MS 334
0.1 mi·18 sec·University Avenue
7
Continue on MS 334
1.0 mi·1 min·University Avenue
8
Turn right
340 ft·15 sec
9
Turn slight left
122 ft·5 sec
10
Turn left onto MS 6; US 278
21 mi·24 min·MS 6; US 278
11
Continue on US 278; MS 6
26 mi·31 min·US 278; MS 6
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 278
8.0 mi·9 min·US 278
Toward US 45 South, US 278 East: Amory, ColumbusUse the right lane.
13
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
14
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
15
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
16
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
17
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
18
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
20
Keep slight left at fork onto Old Highway 45 North
4.8 mi·7 min·Old Highway 45 North
21
Continue on MS 884
0.6 mi·54 sec·Dale Drive
22
Continue on Front Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Front Street
23
Continue on 4th Street
0.1 mi·9 sec·4th Street
24
Turn slight left onto 2nd Street
0.5 mi·49 sec·2nd Street
25
Turn right onto 22nd Avenue
0.2 mi·29 sec·22nd Avenue
26
Turn left onto 8th Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·8th Street
27
Turn left onto 25th Avenue
272 ft·11 sec·25th Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
25th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration and local road nature of this 191.8-mile trip, departing in the morning will give you ample time to reach Meridian comfortably. Since there's a single stop suggested and no long highway stretches, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you navigate through local roads where gas stations might be less frequent than on major highways. A good tip for this route is to utilize GPS with real-time traffic updates, as local roads can sometimes experience unexpected delays.
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 93.6 miles from Oxford, MS, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.6 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 41 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.6 miles or 1h 54m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meridian, 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 187.3 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 US Highway 45 Aiternate for about 60.6 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 187.2 — 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
4
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|MS 334 / University Avenue
Enter roundabout onto MS 334 / University Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
49.8 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|US 278
Take the exit onto US 278 toward US 45 South, US 278 East: Amory, Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 45 South, US 278 East: Amory, Columbu...
5
187.2 mi into trip|~3h 45m in|25th Avenue
Turn left onto 25th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.29 one way
$56.57 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$31.05
$62.10
premium
$4.56
$33.62
$67.24
diesel
$5.61
$41.35
$82.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.2
0
$19.67
$8.99
Efficient EV
46.8
0
$16.39
$7.49
EV Truck/SUV
74.9
0
$26.22
$11.99
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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 15, 2026
Origin
Oxford, MS
Night
in Oxford on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Meridian, MS
Night
in Meridian on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live 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
2 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
3h 45m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 45.2
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 45.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a driving experience characterized by frequent turns and local road navigation, as this route has no highway share. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests a journey that keeps you engaged with the road and the surrounding area. With no significant highway stretches, the longest uninterrupted drive segment is not applicable, meaning you'll likely encounter various types of local roads as you progress. This type of drive often provides a more intimate connection with the landscape, moving through towns and communities rather than bypassing them.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.6 mi on US Highway 45 Aiternate.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 45 Aiternate and US Highway 45 Alternate. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Lamar Boulevard.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 45m 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 0.1 miles (South Lamar Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (MS 314 / University Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (MS 334 / University Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Oxford, MS to Meridian, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Columbus along the way.
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.
The longest stretch is about 60.6 miles on US Highway 45 Aiternate. 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 0.9 miles (MS 334 / University Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Meridian, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
