Join us for a 59-mile journey across north-central Mississippi as we travel west along U.S. Route 278, starting in Tupelo and ending just west of Oxford. This drive is more than just a connector between two of Mississippi’s most notable towns—it’s a route that showcases the quiet beauty of the state’s woodlands, small towns, and subtle hills.
We begin our journey near Tupelo, the birthplace of Elvis Presley and a regional hub in northeastern Mississippi. The route starts at the Natchez Trace Parkway interchange, a scenic byway that’s a destination in its own right. US-278 begins as a four-lane divided highway, quickly pulling us out of the city and into more pastoral surroundings. Early on, the route passes close to Trace State Park, a great spot to stretch your legs, cast a line, or enjoy the wooded trails surrounding Trace Lake. The highway gently curves northwest, offering smooth pavement and a relatively light traffic load compared to interstates.
Soon, we arrive at Pontotoc, a small but active town that serves as a local center for surrounding rural areas. US-278 intersects both Mississippi Highway 15 and Mississippi Highway 9 here, each at full interchanges. The town itself is worth a quick detour—grab a bite to eat or check out the downtown area with its classic Southern charm. The terrain through this stretch is mildly rolling, with a patchwork of forests, farmland, and the occasional glimpse of an old barn or homestead.
Leaving Pontotoc, the route remains a well-maintained four-lane highway, designed for easy cruising. You’ll pass near MS-336, and skirt the southern edge of Thaxton, one of the many small communities dotting this part of the state. While the highway doesn’t take you directly through many towns in this segment, there are several side roads and county routes that lead to scenic byways and local gems off the beaten path.
As we approach Oxford, US-278 merges with Mississippi Highway 6, forming a bypass that loops around the southern side of town. Oxford is best known as the home of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), and its vibrant downtown square is one of the most visited spots in the state. While this bypass avoids the center of Oxford, you can easily exit and head north to explore campus landmarks like The Grove, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, and Rowan Oak, the historic home of author William Faulkner.
The bypass includes a number of interchanges with local roads that provide access to different parts of the Oxford area, culminating in a major junction with Mississippi Highway 7. This is a busy interchange and one of the more significant ones on the drive, often seeing a mix of local and through traffic. As we continue west of town, US-278 begins to transition back into a more rural corridor.
The drive ends just west of Oxford at the junction with the unsigned Mississippi Highway 113, where the character of the route begins to shift again, hinting at the Delta landscapes that lie farther west. From here, US-278 will eventually connect with U.S. Route 61 and carry on toward Greenville and the Mississippi River, but that’s a story for another post.
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