Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Hattiesburg, MS to Lambert, MS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 10m
Distance
261.5 mi
421 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 58m
★
6 AM
5h 11m
8 AM
5h 38m
10 AM
5h 20m
12 PM
5h 18m
3 PM
5h 22m
5 PM
5h 37m
8 PM
5h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hattiesburg, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Lambert, MS
Ulrick Trappschuh
Trip Overview
Hattiesburg to Lambert is 261.5 miles and takes about 5h 10m via I 55 and US 49/US 278, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. You'll be on highways for almost the entire drive, making it a straightforward trip. It's a good option if you're looking for a simple, direct route to cover a significant distance within the state.
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
130.8 miles from Hattiesburg, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 147.9 mi | 2h 40m |
| US 49 | 84.7 mi | 1h 44m |
| US 278 | 21.1 mi | 30m |
| MS 3 | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Old Highway 42 | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North Main Street | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Darby Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Pine Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 147.9 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 98 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,895 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~167 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 102 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 Hattiesburg, MS and Lambert, 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
66 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
US 49
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 49
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
US 49
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 49
Toward Jackson
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 49
14
Merge onto I 55
148 mi
·
2 hr 40 min
·
I 55
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward US 278, MS 6: Batesville, Oxford
16
Keep slight left at fork
271 ft
·
8 sec
17
Merge onto US 278; MS 6
21 mi
·
30 min
·
US 278; MS 6
18
Turn left onto MS 3
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
MS 3
19
Turn left onto Darby Avenue
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Darby Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Darby Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 10m estimated drive time, leaving Hattiesburg in the morning should allow you to reach Lambert with plenty of daylight to spare. There's only one suggested stop, so you can be flexible with when and where you choose to pull over. With a fuel cost estimated at $38, be sure to fill up before you leave or at a convenient point along I 55. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart a little later if needed, but an early start is always recommended for longer drives.
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 130.8 miles from Hattiesburg, MS, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.9 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 58 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.8 miles or 2h 37m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lambert, 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 261.5 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 I 55 for about 147.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 130.8 miles from Hattiesburg, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 147.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Doughboys
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 236 — 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.
5
86.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
US 49
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49 toward Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Jackson
5
235.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 278, MS 6: Batesville, Oxford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 278, MS 6: Batesville, Oxford
5
236 mi into trip
|
~4h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.03 one way
$80.06 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.31 | $44.33 | $88.66 |
| premium | $4.65 | $47.86 | $95.73 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $64.61 | $129.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.5 | 0 | $27.46 | $12.55 |
| Efficient EV | 65.4 | 0 | $22.88 | $10.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.6 | 1 | $36.61 | $16.74 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Origin
Hattiesburg, MS
Night in Hattiesburg on Thursday
Local time
10:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
NE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 21 at 12:35PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 21 at 11:21AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Lambert, MS
Night in Lambert on Thursday
Local time
10:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny
NNE 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 21 at 12:35PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 21 at 11:21AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
48°F
Pearl, MS
131 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 10m 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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 90.2
View on nps.gov
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 261.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
With 99% of this trip on highways, you'll spend most of your time on I 55 and US 49/US 278. The longest unbroken stretch on this route is 147.9 miles on I 55. Expect a predominantly highway experience with frequent exits as you navigate through Mississippi. The profile is mostly highway, indicating consistent driving speeds and minimal time on surface streets.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 147.9 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 967 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 261.5 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 (MS 967 / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (Old Highway 42): Lane positioning matters here; at 86.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
372 ft
158 ft
Total Climb
340 ft
Total Descent
346 ft
Highest Point
372 ft
~186.8 mi in
Elevation Range
215 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hattiesburg, MS and Lambert, MS, road signs point toward Jackson and Oxford.
Jackson
86.2 mi in
|
~1h 48m
|
via US 49
Oxford
235.8 mi in
|
~4h 31m
About the Cities
Starting in Hattiesburg, MS
Full guide →Founded 1882
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
Arriving in Lambert, MS
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 261.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m 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 147.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas 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 Lambert, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 86.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lambert, MS before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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