Cost of a Trip between Auburn, Alabama and Jackson, Mississippi

Traveling between Auburn, Alabama, and Jackson, Mississippi, is not just a matter of jumping into a car and driving straight ahead. There are several routes you can take, and, depending on which one you choose, you may have to pay different prices for gas and tolls – or waste more time on the road. In this article, we will explore the various possibilities and help you find the best one for you.

The Three Main Routes

There are essentially three ways to get from Auburn, Alabama, to Jackson, Mississippi: through Birmingham, through Tuscaloosa, or through Meridian. Let's discuss each one of them in more detail.

Route 1: Via Birmingham

One possible route involves going north from Auburn towards Birmingham, then west through Tuscaloosa and finally south to Jackson. This journey takes you through some of the most beautiful parts of Alabama, but also through some urban areas with heavy traffic.

The entire distance from Auburn to Jackson through Birmingham is about 370 miles, and there are two main ways to get there. The first one is to take the I-85 north to Montgomery and then switch to the I-65 north towards Birmingham. From there, you will need to take the I-20 west until you reach Meridian, Mississippi – and then the I-55 south all the way to Jackson.

The second way to go from Auburn to Birmingham is to take the AL-14 westbound all the way to the US-80, then merge on to the I-20 west. This route is shorter but also slower, due to the lower speed limits on the smaller roads.

In terms of gas prices, the cost of traveling from Auburn to Jackson through Birmingham is comparable to the other routes, but toll costs can be estimated to be around $15 one way, depending on which toll roads you take.

Route 2: Via Tuscaloosa

Another way to get to Jackson from Auburn involves heading west on the I-85 towards Tuscaloosa, then continuing westward on the same highway until you reach Mississippi. This route is slightly shorter than the previous one, but it also takes you through some rural areas that can be less scenic.

The total distance from Auburn to Jackson via Tuscaloosa is about 320 miles. To get there, you will need to take the I-85 west towards Montgomery before merging onto the US-82 westbound. From there, continue along that road until you reach the US-45 southbound, which will take you directly to Jackson.

Gas prices on this route are about the same as the others, but there are fewer tolls to pay – only about $5 one way.

Route 3: Via Meridian

Finally, you can choose to take a route from Auburn to Jackson that goes through Meridian, Mississippi. This option takes you along the I-85 and the US-80 towards Selma, before switching to the US-43 north towards Meridian. From there, you will need to take the I-20 west towards Jackson.

The total distance from Auburn to Jackson via Meridian is about 330 miles. This is a popular route among travelers who enjoy scenic drives, as it takes you through rolling hills and pastures. However, it should be noted that parts of the US-43 are rural two-lane roads, which can add travel time.

As for the associated costs, gas prices on this route are about the same as the others, but since there are no toll roads along the way, you will pay $0 one way.

Which Route is the Best?

So, now that we've explored all three options, let's answer the most important question: which route should you take?

Overall, we recommend going with the first route – through Birmingham – as it offers a good balance between distance, scenery, and travel time. While it does include some urban areas with heavy traffic, and some tolls, it is still the most direct way to get to Jackson, and it takes you through some of Alabama's most charming towns.

Conclusion

In conclusion, traveling from Auburn, Alabama, to Jackson, Mississippi, can be an enjoyable experience if you take the right path. There are three main routes to choose from, each with its own pros and cons, but we recommend going with the Birmingham route – even though you might have to pay some tolls along the way. Overall, the trip should take about 5 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions. We hope you find this information helpful, and enjoy your travels!