Traveling from Hattiesburg to New Albany covers approximately 257.7 miles of Mississippi terrain. Expect to spend about 5 hours behind the wheel for this journey, which is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Your route primarily utilizes North Main Street, Highway 42, and Glendale Avenue rather than major interstates. Budgeting around $39 for fuel should keep you covered for the trip. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural feel as you move north through the state. This drive is best suited for those who prefer navigating local roads over the repetitive nature of high-speed transit.
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
128.9 miles from Hattiesburg, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
77.7 mi
1h 24m
US 45
66.7 mi
1h 16m
US Highway 45 Alternate
53 mi
1h 3m
I 22
22.1 mi
23m
Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi
20m
I 59
9 mi
10m
Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
3.3 mi
4m
Evelyn Gandy Parkway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
— 77.7 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hattiesburg, MS and New Albany, 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
0.2 mi·28 sec·Old Highway 42
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto Glendale Avenue
1.3 mi·3 min·Glendale Avenue
Use the right lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto Monroe Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Monroe Road
6
Turn left onto MS 42
1.9 mi·2 min·Evelyn Gandy Parkway
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
8
Merge onto I 59
78 mi·1 hr 24 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59
9.0 mi·10 min·I 59
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, TuscaloosaUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward US 45 North: MaconUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto US 45
65 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, TupeloUse the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi·20 min·Martin Luther King Drive
14
Continue on US 45; MS 6
3.3 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
1.6 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 78:west: Memphis
17
Merge onto I 22; US 78
22 mi·23 min·I 22; US 78
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward MS 15, MS 30 East: Pontotoc, Ripley
19
Turn right onto MS 15; MS 30
0.9 mi·1 min·Mississippi Highway 15
20
Turn left onto MS 178
1.0 mi·2 min·East Bankhead Street
21
Turn right onto North Railroad Avenue
210 ft·10 sec·North Railroad Avenue
22
Turn right onto Highland Street
96 ft·4 sec·Highland Street
23
Arrive at destination
Highland Street
Trip Plan
Since the trip takes roughly 5 hours, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially since the turn-heavy nature of these roads is more challenging to navigate after dark. Keep your $39 fuel budget in mind and top off before leaving Hattiesburg to avoid searching for stations along the more remote segments. Because this is a shorter drive, you have the flexibility to build in a mid-way break at your own convenience without worrying about a strict multi-day schedule. Pay close attention to your navigation on North Main Street, Highway 42, and Glendale Avenue, as the lack of highway signage means you should double-check your turns at each junction.
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 128.9 miles from Hattiesburg, MS, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.7 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 57 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.9 miles or 2h 27m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Albany, 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 257.7 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway for about 77.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 157.3 — 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.
6
3 mi into trip|~7m in|MS 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway
Turn left onto MS 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
82.9 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|I 59
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscalo...
8
157.3 mi into trip|~3h in|US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupel...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.92 one way
$77.84 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$42.72
$85.45
premium
$4.56
$46.25
$92.51
diesel
$5.61
$56.90
$113.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.3
0
$27.06
$12.37
Efficient EV
64.4
0
$22.55
$10.31
EV Truck/SUV
103.1
1
$36.08
$16.49
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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 15, 2026
Origin
Hattiesburg, MS
Late night
in Hattiesburg on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Albany, MS
Late night
in New Albany on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Meridian, MS
129 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
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
5h 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.
Tupelo National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 231.1
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 231.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention compared to a standard interstate cruise. Because this route has a 0% highway share, you will be navigating local roads and secondary highways for the entire 257.7 miles. The experience is intimate and winding, requiring you to stay alert as the road configuration changes frequently. You won't find long, monotonous stretches of straight pavement here; instead, the path keeps you engaged with its technical profile. It is a practical alternative for drivers who want to avoid heavy freeway traffic and prefer the pace of rural and local Mississippi roadways.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.7 mi on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 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 18 significant decision points across 257.7 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 3 miles (MS 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
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 New Albany, MS, road signs point toward Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
Tuscaloosa
82.9 mi in|~1h 34m|via I 59
Tupelo
157.3 mi in|~3h|via US 45 ALT
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h. Total distance: 257.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.7 miles on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway. 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 New Albany, 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: 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 (MS 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Tupelo National Battlefield and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at New Albany, MS before the return drive.
