Traveling from Pearl to Oxford is a straightforward 100.8-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 14 minutes. Because the distance is relatively short, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $15 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast Mississippi locations. The route relies heavily on major infrastructure, making it a reliable choice for travelers who prefer a direct, no-fuss commute. Whether you are heading north for a weekend getaway or a quick business trip, the predictability of this drive makes it an efficient transit option.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.4 miles from Pearl, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
53.8 mi
57m
US 84
22.7 mi
26m
Gloster Road
6.5 mi
15m
Oxford-Meadville Road
6.3 mi
15m
I 20
4.2 mi
5m
Yap 3 Road
2.6 mi
6m
US 98
1.9 mi
2m
MS 184
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 53.8 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pearl, MS and Oxford, MS.
1
Start on Old Country Club Road
79 ft·3 sec·Old Country Club Road
2
Turn right onto Pine Park Drive
76 ft·8 sec·Pine Park Drive
3
Turn left onto Old Brandon Road
0.3 mi·44 sec·Old Brandon Road
4
Turn left onto MS 468
0.5 mi·52 sec·South Pearson Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
6
Merge onto I 20
2.5 mi·3 min·I 20
7
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.6 mi·2 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
54 mi·57 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: McComb, New Orleans
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
10
Keep slight right at fork
409 ft·9 sec
Toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
11
Merge onto US 84
23 mi·26 min·US 84
12
Turn left onto MS 184
1.4 mi·2 min·MS 184
13
Turn left onto US 98
1.9 mi·2 min·US 98
14
Turn right onto Yap 3 Road
2.6 mi·6 min·Yap 3 Road
15
Continue on Gloster Road
3.8 mi·9 min·Gloster Road
16
At end of road, turn right onto Gloster Road
2.8 mi·6 min·Gloster Road
17
Continue on Oxford-Meadville Road
6.3 mi·15 min·Oxford-Meadville Road
18
Arrive at destination
Oxford-Meadville Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable two-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about extensive rest stops given the 100.8-mile duration, but keeping the $15 fuel estimate in mind will help you plan your budget accordingly. Because the route is dominated by I-55, stay alert for typical interstate traffic patterns that might fluctuate depending on the time of day. For the smoothest experience, check your tire pressure and fuel levels before jumping on the interstate, as the long, 53.8-mile stretch on I-55 offers few opportunities to pull off for minor needs. Approaching the final leg via Gloster Road, be prepared for a change in pace as you move from high-speed highway driving into the local Oxford area.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.4 miles from Pearl, MS, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.8 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 22 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.4 miles or 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 1h 33m
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 Pearl, 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 Pearl, MS
This is one driving day of about 100.8 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Pearl, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 53.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 59.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Pine Park Drive
Turn right onto Pine Park Drive
Navigation decision point
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Old Brandon Road
Turn left onto Old Brandon Road
Navigation decision point
6
5.2 mi into trip|~7m 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
5
59 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 84: South Brookhaven, Natchez
7
59.3 mi into trip|~1h 5m 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
$15.22 one way
$30.45 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$16.71
$33.42
premium
$4.56
$18.09
$36.18
diesel
$5.61
$22.26
$44.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.2
0
$10.58
$4.84
Efficient EV
25.2
0
$8.82
$4.03
EV Truck/SUV
40.3
0
$14.11
$6.45
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
Pearl, MS
Late night
in Pearl on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oxford, MS
Late night
in Oxford on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Brookhaven, MS
50 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
25 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
2h 14m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 83% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on high-speed roads. The drive centers on I-55, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 53.8 miles, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm. As you transition from the interstate toward US 84 and eventually Gloster Road, the character of the pavement shifts from a major transit corridor to local infrastructure. This mix ensures that while the bulk of your travel is fast and efficient, you will eventually navigate surface roads to reach your destination. It is a functional drive designed for speed and consistency rather than winding, technical maneuvers.
83% 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: 53.8 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 84. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Pine Park Drive.
Driving Effort6/10
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 100.8 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (Pine Park Drive): Navigation decision point; near the start (Old Brandon Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pearl, MS and Oxford, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Natchez.
Pearl is a city in Rankin County, Mississippi, sitting on the east side of the Pearl River from the state capital, Jackson. The population was 26,000 in 2018.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 100.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m 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 53.8 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Oxford, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Pine Park Drive): Navigation decision point; near the start (Old Brandon Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Oxford, MS before heading back.
