This 111.6-mile drive from Hattiesburg to Carthage, Mississippi, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. With a highway share of 98%, it's a straightforward journey primarily on MS 35 and US 49. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $17, making it an economical choice. This route focuses on efficient travel across Mississippi's Southeast region, offering a practical way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours. It's a good option if you're looking for a smooth, highway-focused experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
55.8 miles from Hattiesburg, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 35
73.2 mi
1h 48m
US 49
33.4 mi
41m
Old Highway 42
1.7 mi
3m
MS 28
1.3 mi
2m
North Main Street
1.3 mi
3m
South Main Street
0.5 mi
1m
East Pine Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
MS 35
— 73.2 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hattiesburg, MS and Carthage, MS.
1
Start on US 11
27 ft·5 sec·East Pine Street
2
Turn right onto MS 967
1.3 mi·3 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
At end of road, turn left onto Old Highway 42
1.7 mi·3 min·Old Highway 42
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·12 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Turn straight onto US 49
2.2 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 49; MS 42
5.4 mi·6 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 49
5.3 mi·6 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 49
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 49
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 49
4.2 mi·4 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 49
16 mi·19 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto MS 149
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
12
Turn right onto MS 35
10 mi·14 min·MS 35
13
Turn right onto MS 28; MS 35
1.3 mi·2 min·MS 28; MS 35
14
Turn left onto MS 35
63 mi·1 hr 33 min·MS 35
15
Arrive at destination
MS 35
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 40-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan for one stop to break up the 111.6 miles if desired, though the drive is not overly long. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 73.2 miles on MS 35, as services can sometimes be spaced out on highways. The $17 fuel cost is a good estimate to budget for this efficient journey.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 55.8 miles from Hattiesburg, MS, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.2 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 25 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.8 miles or 1h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carthage, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hattiesburg, 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 Hattiesburg, MS
This is one driving day of about 111.6 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Hattiesburg, 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 MS 35 for about 73.2 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 47.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MS 967 / North Main Street
Turn right onto MS 967 / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|Old Highway 42
At end of road, turn left onto Old Highway 42
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
3
3 mi into trip|~6m in
Turn slight right
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
3.2 mi into trip|~6m in|US 49
Turn straight onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
47.2 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|MS 28; MS 35
Turn right onto MS 28; MS 35
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.85 one way
$33.71 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$18.50
$37.00
premium
$4.56
$20.03
$40.06
diesel
$5.61
$24.64
$49.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.5
0
$11.72
$5.36
Efficient EV
27.9
0
$9.76
$4.46
EV Truck/SUV
44.6
0
$15.62
$7.14
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 20, 2026
Origin
Hattiesburg, MS
Morning
in Hattiesburg on Tuesday
Local time
8:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Carthage, MS
Morning
in Carthage on Tuesday
Local time
8:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Taylorsville, MS
56 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
27 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
2h 40m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive on this route, with 98% of the journey occurring on main roads like MS 35 and US 49. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch for 73.2 miles on MS 35, indicating a solid period of consistent highway driving. The character of the road is likely to be efficient and direct, minimizing time spent on slower, more winding local roads. This profile suggests a drive where you can maintain a steady pace for much of the trip.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.2 mi on MS 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 35 and US 49. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 967 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 40m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 967 / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (Old Highway 42): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles: 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 73.2 miles on MS 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 967 / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (Old Highway 42): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Carthage, MS before heading back.
