How far is Auburn, MS from Columbia, MS?

The driving distance from Auburn, MS to Columbia, MS is about 263.4 miles (423.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 221 miles (355.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
263.43 mi
05h 10m
Flight
220.95 mi
355.59 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Auburn.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
220.95 mi
Kilometers
355.59 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
263.43 mi
Kilometers
423.95 km
Drive Time
05h 10m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 05h 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Mon, May 4, 11:10 AM CDT
Return by in Auburn
Mon, May 4, 4:21 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Auburn
2026-05-04T05:59
Arrive Columbia
Mon, May 4, 11:10 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:11 AM to 1:11 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:38 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Auburn
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Marion
MS

Suburb town of Meridian, located in Lauderdale County, Mississippi

From Auburn
131.9 mi
02h 35m
To Columbia
131.5 mi
02h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSW
Destination
81°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Auburn and Columbia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Auburn and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on County Road 1438

    36 m · 11 sec · County Road 1438

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Auburn Road / County Road 931

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Auburn Road / County Road 931

  3. 3

    Continue on North Eason Boulevard

    5.1 mi · 8 min · North Eason Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn left onto US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontotoc

    1383 ft · 34 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King, Junior Drive

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King, Junior Drive

  6. 6

    Continue on Martin Luther King Drive

    7.7 mi · 9 min · Martin Luther King Drive

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    1.1 km · 49 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Continue on US Highway 45 Alternate

    54.7 mi · 1 hr 6 min · US Highway 45 Alternate

  13. 13

    Continue on US Highway 45 Aiternate

    60.6 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US Highway 45 Aiternate

  14. 14

    Keep slight right

    3.9 mi · 4 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian

    2689 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    6.3 mi · 8 min

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans

    82.8 mi · 1 hr 30 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward US 98 West: Columbia, Hardy Street

    862 ft · 21 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on US 98 West: Hardy Street, University of Southern Mississippi, Columbia

    72 m · 8 sec

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Hardy Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Hardy Street

  22. 22

    Continue straight

    1971 ft · 38 sec

  23. 23

    Continue straight

    1353 ft · 23 sec

  24. 24

    Continue straight

    3.1 mi · 4 min

  25. 25

    Continue straight

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  26. 26

    Continue straight

    19.1 mi · 22 min

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight right toward Old Hwy 98 East

    1.6 km · 2 min · Old Hwy 98 East

  28. 28

    Continue on Broad Street

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Broad Street

  29. 29

    Continue on Main Street

    125 m · 7 sec · Main Street

  30. 30

    Turn left onto 2nd Street

    739 ft · 26 sec · 2nd Street

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Auburn and Columbia.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
31 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 59 South
91.5 mi · 35%
US Highway 45 Aiternate
64.5 mi · 24%
US Highway 45 Alternate
54.7 mi · 21%
Hardy Street
26.1 mi · 10%
Martin Luther King Drive
14.8 mi · 6%
North Eason Boulevard
5.06 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 59 South

Keep slight left to continue on I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans

82.8 mi · 01h 30m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 10m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+42.4 mi
221 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marion
02h 35m from Auburn
Leave By
6:38 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Auburn and Sunny near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Auburn to Columbia?

The road trip is about 263.4 miles (423.9 km) and usually takes 05h 10m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Marion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.9 miles from Auburn and 131.5 miles from Columbia.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 221 miles (355.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:38 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.22 one way or $70.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Auburn and Sunny near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Marion

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Marion, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Marion.

RAIL

Union Station

7 mi away
1901 Front Street
RAIL

Laurel station

92 mi away
230 North Maple Street
BUS

Thomasville, AL

101 mi away
34390 US Highway 43
BUS

Grove Hill, AL

115 mi away
430 South Jackson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Auburn and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 220.95 mi (355.59 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Auburn

The most populous city in Lee County, Mississippi.

Population60,258
Coordinates34.2848300, -88.6317200
Altitude101
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

City in Mississippi, United States

Population5,850
Coordinates31.2518400, -89.8375800
Altitude45
CountryUnited States
Start: Auburn (-88.63172, 34.28483)
End: Columbia (-89.83758, 31.25184)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 424 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 16m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 17m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.3 gal
35.19 L · about $35.22
Round trip
$70.44
18.6 gal · 70.38 L
Estimated CO2
82.6 kg one way
Round trip: 165.3 kg / 364 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $35.22 $70.44
Mid-grade $4.26 $39.61 $79.22
Premium $4.63 $43.01 $86.03
Diesel $5.42 $50.36 $100.72

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Mississippi · May 04, 2026

There is no time difference between Auburn and Columbia. The current time is 05:59:35.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.