Clarksdale, MS to Hattiesburg, MS is 245.2 miles and takes about 5h 15m via Highway 49 South and US 61, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traversing the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that should be manageable for a single day of travel. You'll find it's a practical option for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
122.6 miles from Clarksdale, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
North Martin Luther King Drive
46.2 mi
55m
US 61
43.9 mi
54m
Jerry Clower Boulevard
38.8 mi
47m
MS 448
13.5 mi
23m
US 49
12.8 mi
17m
South State Street
2.1 mi
3m
Old Highway 42
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~2,710 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,827
Quietest
2 AM
~220 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Clarksdale, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
1
Start on this road
158 ft·17 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Issaquena Avenue
436 ft·21 sec·Issaquena Avenue
3
Turn right onto 4th Street
0.3 mi·56 sec·4th Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto Riverside Avenue
198 ft·5 sec·Riverside Avenue
5
Continue on Madison Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Madison Avenue
6
Turn right onto MS 161; MS 322
2.1 mi·3 min·South State Street
7
Turn right onto US 61; US 278
44 mi·54 min·US 61; US 278
8
Turn left onto MS 448
1.1 mi·2 min·East Peeler Avenue
9
Turn right onto MS 448
13 mi·23 min·MS 448
10
Turn left onto US 82
0.7 mi·1 min·US 82
11
Turn right onto US 49W
46 mi·55 min·North Martin Luther King Drive
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W
0.5 mi·53 sec·US 49W
Toward US 49 South: Jackson
13
Merge onto US 49
39 mi·47 min·Jerry Clower Boulevard
14
Take the exit onto US 49
4.9 mi·5 min·US 49
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
3.8 mi·5 min·US 49
16
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.1 mi·1 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
347 ft·4 sec·I 20; US 49
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
18
Take the exit onto US 49
0.6 mi·42 sec·US 49
Toward Hattiesburg
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
20
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 49; MS 42
2.4 mi·4 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
1.8 mi·3 min·Old Highway 42
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.2 mi·2 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto Batson Street
154 ft·8 sec·Batson Street
26
Turn right
329 ft·25 sec
27
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
98 ft·4 sec·East Pine Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Hattiesburg comfortably. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. The $36 fuel estimate is based on the 245.2 miles, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches like the 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South. Planning your fuel stops around larger towns could be a good strategy.
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 122.6 miles from Clarksdale, MS, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 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 54 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.6 miles or 2h 41m 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 18m
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 Clarksdale, 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 Clarksdale, MS
This is one driving day of about 245.2 miles and 5h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Clarksdale, 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 Highway 49 South for about 80.3 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 158.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Issaquena Avenue
Turn left onto Issaquena Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
108.4 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|US 49W
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W toward US 49 South: Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 49 South: Jackson
6
157.5 mi into trip|~3h 24m in|I 20; US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49 toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
6
158.2 mi into trip|~3h 25m 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
158.9 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
$34.04 one way
$68.08 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$38.08
$76.17
premium
$4.29
$41.40
$82.81
diesel
$4.80
$46.30
$92.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.6
0
$25.75
$11.77
Efficient EV
61.3
0
$21.46
$9.81
EV Truck/SUV
98.1
1
$34.33
$15.69
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Clarksdale, MS
Morning
in Clarksdale on Sunday
Local time
11:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
WNW 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Hattiesburg, MS
Morning
in Hattiesburg on Sunday
Local time
11:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Sunny
NNW 0 to 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
93°F
Madison, MS
123 mi in
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 15m 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
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 152.2
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 63% of this 245.2-mile drive on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you navigate through towns. The presence of numerous exits on the highway portions suggests a driving experience with frequent opportunities for entry and exit.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.3 mi on Highway 49 South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 49 South and North Martin Luther King Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Issaquena Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 245.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Issaquena Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 108.4 miles (US 49W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 157.5 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
472 ft105 ft
Total Climb
453 ft
Total Descent
463 ft
Highest Point
472 ft
~175.1 mi in
Elevation Range
367 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clarksdale, MS and Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward Meridian and Richland.
Meridian
157.5 mi in|~3h 24m|via I 20; US 49
Richland
158.2 mi in|~3h 25m|via US 49
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Clarksdale is a town of 15,000 people (2020) in the Mississippi Delta. About an hour south of Memphis, this little podunk town draws visitors from all over the world for its blues clubs and blues history.
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 15m. Total distance: 245.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South. 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: near the start (Issaquena Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 108.4 miles (US 49W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 157.5 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.
