Cruise across north-central Mississippi on U.S. Route 278 from Tupelo to Oxford. This 59-mile drive offers a smooth ride through wooded landscapes, small towns like Pontotoc, and ends with a scenic bypass around Oxford, home of Ole Miss.
U.S. Route 278
Explore U.S. Route 278, a major east–west highway stretching from Arkansas to South Carolina. Learn about the route’s history, key cities, and scenic travel highlights along this Southern U.S. corridor.
U.S. Route 278 (US 278) is a significant east–west U.S. Highway that stretches over 1,000 miles through the southeastern United States. Beginning in Wickes, Arkansas, and ending in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, US 278 passes through a total of five states: Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Along its path, it serves as a vital corridor connecting rural areas to major metropolitan centers, including Atlanta, Georgia.
In Arkansas and Mississippi, US 278 traverses primarily rural terrain, providing important access to agricultural communities and linking small towns to larger transportation networks. The route joins U.S. Route 82 for a stretch in Mississippi and serves as a key crossing of the Mississippi River via the Greenville Bridge.
As it continues through Alabama and into Georgia, US 278 becomes more urbanized. It runs concurrent with U.S. Route 431 in eastern Alabama before entering the Atlanta metropolitan area. Through northern Georgia, US 278 parallels Interstate 20 for much of its length, offering an alternative route through towns like Rockmart, Dallas, and Lithia Springs. In South Carolina, the highway concludes its journey with a scenic approach to the Atlantic coast, ultimately reaching the resort destination of Hilton Head Island.
Discover U.S. Routes
U.S. Route 278: Oxford to Tupelo – Mississippi
Cruise 59 miles along U.S. Route 278 from Oxford to Tupelo, Mississippi. This four-lane drive offers scenic woodlands, college-town charm, access to Trace State Park, and a finish at the historic Natchez Trace Parkway near Elvis Presley’s hometown.
U.S. Highway 278: Westbound in Monticello – Arkansas
Cruise through downtown Monticello, Arkansas, as we travel 3 miles west on U.S. Highway 278. From McCloy Street to Gaines Avenue and back to US-425, this short route offers a look at the city’s historic core and highway connections.
U.S. Highway 278: Eastbound in Monticello – Arkansas
Take a short drive eastbound through Monticello, Arkansas, on U.S. Highway 278. Explore the town’s downtown charm, historic layout, and local businesses in just three scenic miles.