Mississippi Highway 315: Oxford to Sardis

Mississippi Highway 315 offers a brief but beautiful ride through the hills and woodlands of northern Mississippi, connecting the lively college town of Oxford with the quieter, historic town of Sardis. This 15-mile drive takes us on a journey through a mix of pastoral countryside and outdoor recreation areas, offering glimpses of the region’s natural charm along the way.

We begin our trip on MS-315 just west of Oxford at the junction with U.S. Route 278 (also known locally as MS-6), a busy corridor that links Oxford to Batesville. From here, Highway 315 heads generally northward as an unsigned, narrow two-lane road, winding its way through gently rolling hills and patches of dense forest. This stretch feels peaceful and lightly traveled, making it a nice break from the bustle of Oxford’s university traffic. The rural character of this segment provides the kind of drive where you can roll the windows down and enjoy the scenery — old barns, grazing cattle, and the occasional roadside church dot the route as we move closer to the Sardis Lake region.

About halfway through the drive, the highway reaches one of its most scenic and interesting features — Sardis Dam. Here, MS-315 intersects with both Mississippi Highway 35 and its scenic sibling, MS-315 Scenic. The mainline 315 route travels along the lower western base of the dam, offering shaded views beneath the massive earthen structure. For those wanting a broader view, the scenic alignment (MS-315 Scenic) climbs up and travels across the top of the dam, treating drivers to sweeping views of Sardis Lake on one side and the Lower Lake spillway area on the other. It’s a popular spot for boaters, campers, and anglers alike. You’ll often see folks parked in turnouts fishing or picnicking, especially on weekends. These parallel routes rejoin at the north end of the dam, where the highway begins transitioning back into a more developed corridor.

Leaving the recreation area, MS-315 continues west through a lightly forested area before entering the outskirts of Sardis, a quiet town with roots in Mississippi’s railroad past. As we approach Interstate 55, the highway widens into a four-lane road, making it clear that we’re returning to more populated ground. At the I-55 interchange, travelers have easy access to north–south travel across the state, with Memphis to the north and Jackson to the south. Past the interchange, MS-315 becomes a local arterial, carrying us through a mix of residential and light commercial development before concluding at its intersection with U.S. Route 61 on the west side of town. This final stretch gives us a glimpse of the slower pace of small-town Mississippi, with local diners, gas stations, and mom-and-pop stores along the way.

While this route may not be the longest or most famous in Mississippi, it’s a great example of how even a short highway can provide a diverse driving experience. From the college-town energy of Oxford to the peaceful waters of Sardis Lake and the quiet charm of Sardis itself, MS-315 makes for a short but memorable drive. If you’re in the area and looking for a relaxing route with a touch of scenery and a connection to the outdoors, this stretch from Oxford to Sardis is well worth the time.

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