Spanning 294.9 miles across Mississippi, this drive connects Byhalia to Hattiesburg in approximately 5 hours and 39 minutes. Because the route is entirely contained within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent environment as you traverse the state from north to south. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, requiring only one planned stop to keep you refreshed. You should budget roughly $45 for fuel to complete the journey comfortably. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this highway-focused transit is straightforward and reliable. It serves as an efficient way to cross the state without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
147.5 miles from Byhalia, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
186.1 mi
3h 21m
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
I 269
17.7 mi
18m
US 49
3.6 mi
6m
Old Highway 42
1.8 mi
3m
MS 309
1.7 mi
3m
North Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
MS 178
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 186.1 mi, about 3h 21m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 57 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,443 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~141 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Byhalia, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
1
Start on MS 178
0.1 mi·22 sec·MS 178
2
Turn left onto MS 309
1.7 mi·3 min·MS 309
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 269:south, MS 304:west: Tunica
4
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
18 mi·18 min·I 269; MS 304
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 55 South: Jackson
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 55 South: Jackson
7
Merge onto I 55
186 mi·3 hr 21 min·I 55
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
10
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 49; MS 42
2.4 mi·4 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
1.8 mi·3 min·Old Highway 42
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.2 mi·2 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto Batson Street
154 ft·8 sec·Batson Street
16
Turn right
329 ft·25 sec
17
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
98 ft·4 sec·East Pine Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 39-minute journey, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid midday congestion. Since the route relies heavily on major arteries, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before entering the long 186.1-mile stretch on I-55. Plan your single required stop strategically to coincide with the transition from the interstate to Highway 49 South, which provides a natural break in your rhythm. Being prepared for high-speed travel is essential, so ensure your vehicle is road-ready before heading out. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, as the lack of complex navigation allows you to focus purely on managing your pace and comfort.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 147.5 miles from Byhalia, MS, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 65 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.5 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hattiesburg, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Byhalia, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Byhalia, MS
This is one driving day of about 294.9 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Byhalia, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 186.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 208.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 269:south, MS 304:west: Tunica
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 269:south, MS 304:west: Tunica
5
20.2 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South: Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 55 South: Jackson
5
207 mi into trip|~3h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattie...
6
207.9 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49 toward Richland, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
5
208.7 mi into trip|~3h 50m in|US 49 / Highway 49 South
Merge onto US 49 / Highway 49 South
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.33 one way
$90.65 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$50.13
$100.27
premium
$4.65
$53.95
$107.91
diesel
$5.35
$62.11
$124.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.5
1
$30.96
$14.16
Efficient EV
73.7
0
$25.80
$11.80
EV Truck/SUV
118
1
$41.29
$18.87
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Byhalia, MS
Afternoon
in Byhalia on Wednesday
Local time
3:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:37PM CDT until June 3 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:35PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Hattiesburg, MS
Afternoon
in Hattiesburg on Wednesday
Local time
3:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:37PM CDT until June 3 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:35PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 39m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 203.4
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
National Monument
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley...
29 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 71.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed, highway-focused experience, as 99% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate via I-269, I-55, and Highway 49 South, with the vast majority of your time dedicated to the interstate. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 186.1 miles on I-55, which demands steady focus and patience behind the wheel. As you transition from the interstate segments onto Highway 49 South, the pace of the drive remains consistent. You can anticipate a predictable, efficient commute that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity between these two Mississippi hubs.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.1 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Highway 49 South. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 294.9 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 207 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
445 ft164 ft
Total Climb
286 ft
Total Descent
483 ft
Highest Point
445 ft
~252.8 mi in
Elevation Range
281 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Byhalia, MS to Hattiesburg, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Richland along the way.
Hattiesburg is a city in Forrest County, in the Gulf Coast region of Mississippi. It is best known for being the home of the University of Southern Mississippi.
Top landmarks
•Hattiesburg station — Amtrak station in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
•Old Hattiesburg High School — high school in Mississippi, United States
•African American Military History Museum — United States historic place
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 294.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.1 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Hattiesburg, MS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 207 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hattiesburg, MS before the return drive.
