Hattiesburg to Shannon is 221.2 miles and takes about 4h 18m via Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway and US 45, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traveling north through the Southeast region. The route offers a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making it a manageable one-day excursion. You'll want to plan for a few stops to break up the drive, especially considering the longest stretch without a major change in road type is 77.7 miles.
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
110.6 miles from Hattiesburg, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
77.7 mi
1h 24m
US 45
65.1 mi
1h 14m
US Highway 45 Alternate
53 mi
1h 3m
Martin Luther King Drive
9.8 mi
11m
I 59
9 mi
10m
Evelyn Gandy Parkway
1.9 mi
2m
North Main Street
1.3 mi
3m
Glendale Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
— 77.7 mi, about 1h 24m
Traffic on I-59
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~976 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,182
Quietest
2 AM
~88 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Shannon, 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
9.8 mi·11 min·Martin Luther King Drive
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward US 45 South, MS 145 North: Shannon, Nettleton
15
Merge onto MS 145
0.4 mi·35 sec·MS 145
16
Turn left onto North Collins
208 ft·10 sec·North Collins
Use the left lane.
17
At end of road, turn right onto Broad Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Broad Street
18
Turn left onto Boyd Avenue
73 ft·3 sec·Boyd Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Boyd Avenue
Trip Plan
With a driving time of just over 4 hours, this trip is easily doable in a single day. You could leave in the morning and arrive by early afternoon, allowing for flexibility. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into the longer 77.7-mile stretch on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent there. The total estimated fuel cost is around $33.
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 110.6 miles from Hattiesburg, MS, or about 2h 6m 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 49 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.6 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shannon, 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 221.2 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 15
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
$30.71 one way
$61.41 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$34.36
$68.71
premium
$4.29
$37.35
$74.70
diesel
$4.80
$41.77
$83.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.4
0
$23.23
$10.62
Efficient EV
55.3
0
$19.36
$8.85
EV Truck/SUV
88.5
1
$30.97
$14.16
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Hattiesburg, MS
Late night
in Hattiesburg on Sunday
Local time
5:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Sunny
NNW 5 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Shannon, MS
Late night
in Shannon on Sunday
Local time
5:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
93°F
Meridian, MS
111 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
4h 18m 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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 221.2
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 221.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 59% of this 221.2-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway is 77.7 miles. After that, the route transitions to US 45 and US Highway 45 Alternate, which will feel more like surface road cruising with potentially more local traffic and slower speeds. Expect a mixed driving experience with periods of faster highway travel followed by more town-oriented stretches.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 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?
8/10
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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 221.2 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
434 ft164 ft
Total Climb
602 ft
Total Descent
508 ft
Highest Point
434 ft
~47.4 mi in
Elevation Range
270 ft
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 Shannon, MS, road signs point toward Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 221.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Shannon, 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 7 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 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Shannon, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
