This 249.9-mile drive from Fulton, Mississippi, to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 56 minutes. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 92% of it on major roads like I-59 and US Highway 45 Alternate. Budget around $38 for fuel for this trip, which stays within the Southeast region throughout. Given its manageable length and highway-centric profile, it's an ideal day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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
125 miles from Fulton, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 59
67.8 mi
1h 13m
US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 45 Alternate
54.7 mi
1h 6m
I 22
14.2 mi
15m
US 11
13.5 mi
19m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
Martin Luther King Drive
7.7 mi
8m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 67.8 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fulton, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
1
Start on North Cummings Street
121 ft·8 sec·North Cummings Street
2
Turn left onto MS 178
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
3
Turn right onto South Adams Street
2.0 mi·3 min·South Adams Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward Tupelo
5
Merge onto I 22; US 78
14 mi·15 min·I 22; US 78
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Auburn Road
7
Keep slight left at fork
182 ft·6 sec
8
Turn left
115 ft·2 sec
9
Turn straight onto CR 931
0.4 mi·54 sec·Auburn Road
10
Continue on North Eason Boulevard
5.1 mi·8 min·North Eason Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, PontotocUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto US 45; MS 6
1.9 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
13
Continue on US 45; US 278
7.7 mi·8 min·Martin Luther King Drive
14
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
15
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
16
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
17
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
18
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
19
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
23
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
68 mi·1 hr 13 min·I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New OrleansUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward MoselleUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
117 ft·6 sec
Toward MoselleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Turn left onto Moselle-Seminary Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Moselle-Seminary Road
29
Turn straight onto US 11
13 mi·19 min·US 11
30
Turn right onto US 11
0.4 mi·50 sec·East Pine Street
31
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 56-minute drive, starting in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed arrival in Hattiesburg. With the route being predominantly highway, you'll want to plan for one primary stop for fuel and a break, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 67.8-mile stretch on I-59, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas. The relatively short duration means you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits you best.
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 125 miles from Fulton, MS, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.8 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 55 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125 miles or 2h 31m 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 1m
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 Fulton, 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 Fulton, MS
This is one driving day of about 249.9 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Fulton, 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 59 for about 67.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.3 and 235.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
17.3 mi into trip|~21m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
22.8 mi into trip|~30m in
Turn left toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontotoc
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontot...
8
167.6 mi into trip|~3h 21m in|I 59
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
6
235.3 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward Moselle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Moselle
8
235.5 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Moselle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Moselle
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.74 one way
$75.48 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$41.43
$82.86
premium
$4.56
$44.85
$89.71
diesel
$5.61
$55.17
$110.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75
0
$26.24
$12.00
Efficient EV
62.5
0
$21.87
$10.00
EV Truck/SUV
100
1
$34.99
$15.99
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Fulton, MS
Morning
in Fulton on Tuesday
Local time
7:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hattiesburg, MS
Morning
in Hattiesburg on Tuesday
Local time
7:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Meridian, MS
125 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
24 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
4h 56m 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.
Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 17.2
Park Closure: Partial Closure of Rocky Springs Trail
Park Closure: Temporary Blackland Prairie Trail Closure to Equestrians
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 25.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 92% of the drive being on major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-59, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 67.8 miles. The use of US Highway 45 Alternate also contributes to the consistent, faster pace of this drive. This road profile suggests a relatively smooth and efficient journey, ideal for covering distance without many interruptions.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.8 mi on I 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US Highway 45 Aiternate. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 249.9 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: at 17.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 22.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.6 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fulton, MS and Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward Pontotoc, New Orleans and Moselle.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 249.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.8 miles on I 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 22.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.6 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and Tupelo National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Hattiesburg, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
