Traveling from Florence to Hattiesburg is a straightforward 78.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 38 minutes. Because of the quick transit time, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $12 for fuel should comfortably cover your gas needs for the entire one-way trip. You will stay within the Southeast region of Mississippi, moving through a consistent landscape that makes for an efficient, no-fuss commute. Whether you are heading south for business or a weekend getaway, this drive offers a practical connection between the two cities without unnecessary complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.2 miles from Florence, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
72 mi
1h 25m
US 49
2.8 mi
4m
Old Highway 42
1.8 mi
3m
North Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
MS 469
0.4 mi
<1m
Batson Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
East Pine Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 72 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
1
Start on MS 469
0.4 mi·40 sec·MS 469
2
Turn right onto US 49
72 mi·1 hr 25 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 49; MS 42
2.4 mi·4 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
1.8 mi·3 min·Old Highway 42
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.2 mi·2 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn left onto Batson Street
154 ft·8 sec·Batson Street
8
Turn right
329 ft·25 sec
9
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
98 ft·4 sec·East Pine Street
10
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any mandatory stops, as you can easily complete the trip in under two hours. Before you pull out of Florence, ensure your tank is ready for the 78.3-mile trek, though the $12 estimated fuel cost is quite manageable. Keep a close eye on your speed when transitioning from the main US 49 corridor onto Old Highway 42, as road conditions and traffic patterns may shift as you approach the city limits. This straightforward nature makes the trip ideal for a casual morning start or an easy afternoon cruise.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.2 miles from Florence, MS, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72 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 17 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.2 miles or 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 19m
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 Florence, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Florence, MS
This is one driving day of about 78.3 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Florence, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Highway 49 South for about 72 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 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 78.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|US 49 / Highway 49 South
Turn right onto US 49 / Highway 49 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
75.1 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|Old Highway 42
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
77 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|North Main Street
Turn right onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
78.2 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
78.3 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|US 11 / East Pine Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 11 / East Pine Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.83 one way
$23.65 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$12.98
$25.96
premium
$4.56
$14.05
$28.11
diesel
$5.61
$17.29
$34.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.5
0
$8.22
$3.76
Efficient EV
19.6
0
$6.85
$3.13
EV Truck/SUV
31.3
0
$10.96
$5.01
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 21, 2026
Origin
Florence, MS
Late night
in Florence on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hattiesburg, MS
Late night
in Hattiesburg on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
35 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 38m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a dedicated highway-focused experience, as 98% of this trip takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on Highway 49 South and US 49, which comprise a significant 72-mile stretch of the journey. The transition from Florence involves navigating these primary arteries before eventually utilizing Old Highway 42 to reach your final destination in Hattiesburg. Because the route relies so heavily on major roads, you can anticipate a steady, consistent pace behind the wheel. It is a functional drive designed for efficiency rather than a winding, technical detour, allowing you to focus on the road ahead.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72 mi on Highway 49 South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 49 South and US 49. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 49 / Highway 49 South.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Florence, MS to Hattiesburg, MS is easy. At 1h 38m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 49 / Highway 49 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 75.1 miles (Old Highway 42): Lane positioning matters here; at 77 miles (North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
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.
The longest stretch is about 72 miles on Highway 49 South. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 49 / Highway 49 South): Lane positioning matters here; at 75.1 miles (Old Highway 42): Lane positioning matters here; at 77 miles (North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hattiesburg, MS before heading back.
