Origin
Water Valley, MS
Late night in Water Valley on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Water Valley, MS to Auburn, MS
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
73.3 mi
118 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Good
5 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Water Valley, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Auburn, MS
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
This straightforward 73.3-mile drive from Water Valley, MS, to Auburn, MS, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 29 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways like MS 6, MS 7, and I-22, with 95% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this relatively short excursion is around $11. This route is ideal for those seeking a quick and efficient transit within the Southeast region, with no overnight stays necessary. It’s a no-fuss option for getting from point A to point B without significant detours.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MS 6 | 21.2 mi | 24m |
| MS 7 | 15.8 mi | 19m |
| I 22 | 12.7 mi | 13m |
| US 278 | 10 mi | 11m |
| MS 9 | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Main Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Auburn Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| County Road 1438 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MS 6
— 21.2 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Water Valley, MS and Auburn, MS.
1
Start on Main Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto MS 7
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
MS 7
3
Enter roundabout onto MS 7
171 ft
·
2 sec
·
MS 7
Toward MS 7 North: Oxford
4
Continue on MS 7
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
MS 7
Toward MS 7 North: Oxford
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
6
Merge onto US 278; MS 6
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 278; MS 6
7
Continue on MS 6; US 278
21 mi
·
24 min
·
MS 6; US 278
8
Continue on US 278; MS 6
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
US 278; MS 6
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward MS 9: Pontotoc, Sherman
10
Keep slight left at fork
236 ft
·
12 sec
Toward MS 9 North: Sherman
11
Turn left onto MS 9
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
MS 9
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 22; US 78
13 mi
·
13 min
·
I 22; US 78
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward Auburn Road
15
Keep slight left at fork
268 ft
·
7 sec
16
Turn left onto CR 931
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Auburn Road
17
Turn right onto County Road 1438
119 ft
·
5 sec
·
County Road 1438
18
Arrive at destination
County Road 1438
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.6 miles from Water Valley, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 11.1 and 59.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.1 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
MS 7
Enter roundabout onto MS 7 toward MS 7 North: Oxford
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward MS 7 North: Oxford
5
48.9 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward MS 9: Pontotoc, Sherman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 9: Pontotoc, Sherman
5
49.2 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Keep slight left at fork toward MS 9 North: Sherman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward MS 9 North: Sherman
6
49.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
MS 9
Turn left onto MS 9
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
59.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.07 one way
$22.14 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $12.15 | $24.30 |
| premium | $4.56 | $13.16 | $26.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.18 | $32.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22 | 0 | $7.70 | $3.52 |
| Efficient EV | 18.3 | 0 | $6.41 | $2.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.26 | $4.69 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Auburn, MS
Late night in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Oxford, MS
37 mi in
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
1h 29m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the vast majority of this 73.3-mile trip. With 95% of the route on major roads including MS 6, MS 7, and I-22, the pace is generally brisk. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 21.2 miles on MS 6, offering a consistent cruising segment. The road character remains largely consistent, prioritizing efficient travel over winding scenic byways. You'll likely find yourself on well-maintained highways for the duration of the drive.
95% 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: 21.2 mi on MS 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 6 and MS 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.1 miles in near MS 7.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.3 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 11.1 miles (MS 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 48.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Water Valley, MS to Auburn, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Sherman along the way.
Sherman
48.9 mi in
|
~59m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 73.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.2 miles on MS 6. 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 Auburn, MS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.1 miles (MS 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 48.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and Tupelo National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Auburn, MS before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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