Wiggins, MS to Auburn, MS is 272.2 miles and takes about 5h 18m via Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway and US 45, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, primarily traversing Mississippi. You'll find this to be a mostly straightforward drive, suitable for a single day if you get an early start. Given it's a single-day trip, it offers a good balance between covering distance and experiencing the local landscape without feeling overly rushed. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct connection between these two Mississippi locations.
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
136.1 miles from Wiggins, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
88.4 mi
1h 35m
US 45
65.1 mi
1h 14m
US Highway 45 Alternate
53 mi
1h 3m
US 49
26 mi
30m
Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi
20m
I 59
9 mi
10m
South Eason Boulevard
4.9 mi
7m
US 98
3.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
— 88.4 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wiggins, MS and Auburn, MS.
1
Start on South 2nd Street
306 ft·18 sec·South 2nd Street
2
Turn left onto East College Avenue
0.2 mi·27 sec·East College Avenue
3
Turn right onto MS 29; MS 149
2.3 mi·3 min·North Magnolia Drive
4
Turn slight left onto MS 149
259 ft·8 sec·MS 149
5
Turn right onto US 49
24 mi·27 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 49
2.4 mi·2 min·US 49
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
8
Merge onto US 98
2.5 mi·2 min·US 98
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 98
0.8 mi·1 min·US 98
Toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, LaurelUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 59; US 98
88 mi·1 hr 35 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59
9.0 mi·10 min·I 59
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, TuscaloosaUse the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward US 45 North: MaconUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto US 45
65 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, TupeloUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi·20 min·Martin Luther King Drive
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Eason Boulevard
17
Turn straight onto South Eason Boulevard
4.9 mi·7 min·South Eason Boulevard
18
Continue on CR 931
1.1 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
19
Turn right onto County Road 1438
119 ft·5 sec·County Road 1438
20
Arrive at destination
County Road 1438
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, aim for a morning departure from Wiggins to ensure you have ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can be quite flexible with your timing and pace. Pay attention to your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest 88.4-mile stretch on the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, as services might be spaced out. This is a manageable one-day trip, so you have the advantage of adjusting your schedule on the fly based on traffic or your personal preference for breaks.
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 136.1 miles from Wiggins, MS, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.4 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 60 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.1 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wiggins, 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 Wiggins, MS
This is one driving day of about 272.2 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Wiggins, 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 Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway for about 88.4 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 2.5 and 194.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in|US 49
Turn right onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
31.3 mi into trip|~38m in|US 98
Take the exit onto US 98 toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
8
120.5 mi into trip|~2h 15m in|I 59
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscalo...
6
129.4 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 45 North: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 45 North: Macon
8
194.8 mi into trip|~3h 41m in|US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupel...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.11 one way
$82.22 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$45.13
$90.25
premium
$4.56
$48.86
$97.71
diesel
$5.61
$60.10
$120.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.7
1
$28.58
$13.07
Efficient EV
68.1
0
$23.82
$10.89
EV Truck/SUV
108.9
1
$38.11
$17.42
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Wiggins, MS
Late night
in Wiggins on Tuesday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Auburn, MS
Late night
in Auburn on Tuesday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Meridian, MS
136 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
5 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
5h 18m 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.
Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 272.2
Park Closure: Partial Closure of Rocky Springs Trail
Park Closure: Temporary Blackland Prairie Trail Closure to Equestrians
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 262.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 57% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 88.4 miles. Expect the road character to shift as you progress, moving from more direct highway segments to potentially more varied sections as you navigate US 45 and US Highway 45 Alternate. This means the pace might change, offering a dynamic feel behind the wheel rather than a constant interstate drone.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.4 mi on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near US 49.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 272.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.5 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Wiggins, MS and Auburn, MS, road signs point toward Laurel, Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
Laurel
31.3 mi in|~38m|via US 98
Tuscaloosa
120.5 mi in|~2h 15m|via I 59
Tupelo
194.8 mi in|~3h 41m|via US 45 ALT
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 18m. Total distance: 272.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.4 miles on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway. 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.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.5 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and Tupelo National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Auburn, MS before the return drive.
