Stretching 101.4 miles across Mississippi, this drive from Hattiesburg to Madison is a straightforward journey typically taking about 2 hours and 10 minutes. Because the route is highly efficient, it serves as an ideal day trip, allowing you to reach your destination in a single outing without needing an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for regional travel. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will remain in a familiar environment throughout the transit. This drive is best viewed as a practical connection between two major hubs rather than a leisurely sightseeing tour.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.7 miles from Hattiesburg, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49
84.7 mi
1h 44m
I 55
8.3 mi
10m
US 51
4.2 mi
6m
Old Highway 42
1.7 mi
3m
North Main Street
1.3 mi
3m
I-55 North Frontage Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Depot Drive
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 49
— 84.7 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hattiesburg, MS and Madison, 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
8.3 mi·10 min·I 55
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward US 51 North: Ridgeland
16
Continue on I-55 North Frontage Road
0.5 mi·46 sec·I-55 North Frontage Road
17
Turn straight onto US 51
4.2 mi·6 min·US 51
18
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·Main Street
19
Turn right onto Depot Drive
36 ft·1 sec·Depot Drive
20
Arrive at destination
Depot Drive
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without worrying about a complex itinerary. However, keeping an eye on traffic patterns as you approach the Madison area is a smart move to ensure a smooth arrival. While the route does not feature any mandatory stops, planning for a quick break mid-way can help keep you refreshed during the 2-hour drive. Given the highway-heavy nature of the route, check your fuel levels before leaving Hattiesburg to avoid unnecessary stops along the faster stretches of US 49. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to focus on reaching your destination efficiently.
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 50.7 miles from Hattiesburg, MS, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.7 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 22 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.7 miles or 1h 5m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, 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 101.4 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Hattiesburg, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 49 for about 84.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 101.4 — 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
4
86.9 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
101.4 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|Depot Drive
Turn right onto Depot Drive
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.31 one way
$30.63 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$16.81
$33.62
premium
$4.56
$18.20
$36.40
diesel
$5.61
$22.39
$44.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.4
0
$10.65
$4.87
Efficient EV
25.4
0
$8.87
$4.06
EV Truck/SUV
40.6
0
$14.20
$6.49
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
Late night
in Hattiesburg on Tuesday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Madison, MS
Late night
in Madison on Tuesday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live 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
3 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 10m 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.
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 highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 98% of your time will be spent on major roads. Your journey relies on a combination of US 49, I-55, and US 51 to navigate north through the state. The most significant portion of your travel occurs on US 49, which accounts for a 84.7-mile stretch of uninterrupted driving. Because the route is dominated by high-speed corridors, you will find it to be a consistent and predictable trip behind the wheel. Prepare for a steady, focused drive that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity over winding backroads or technical maneuvers.
98% 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: 84.7 mi on US 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and I 55. 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 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 11 significant decision points across 101.4 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hattiesburg, MS to Madison, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
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 2h 10m. Total distance: 101.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.7 miles on US 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Madison, 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. There are 5 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. 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 Madison, MS before heading back.
