Houston, MS to Hattiesburg, MS is 217.4 miles and takes about 4h 21m via I 59, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that's easy to complete in a single day. Consider this route if you need an efficient way to get between these two points without much fuss, as it prioritizes speed and directness.
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
108.7 miles from Houston, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 59
67.8 mi
1h 13m
US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 45 Alternate
43 mi
52m
East Madison Street
18.2 mi
27m
US 11
13.5 mi
19m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
US 45
3.9 mi
4m
Moselle-Seminary Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 67.8 mi, about 1h 13m
Traffic on I-59
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~943 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,154
Quietest
2 AM
~84 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
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 Houston, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
1
Start on East Hamilton Street
39 ft·3 sec·East Hamilton Street
2
Turn right onto North Jefferson Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·North Jefferson Street
3
Turn left onto MS 8
18 mi·27 min·East Madison Street
4
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 45 Alternate South: West Point
5
Merge onto US 45 ALT
43 mi·52 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
9
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
68 mi·1 hr 13 min·I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New OrleansUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward MoselleUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
117 ft·6 sec
Toward MoselleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto Moselle-Seminary Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Moselle-Seminary Road
15
Turn straight onto US 11
13 mi·19 min·US 11
16
Turn right onto US 11
0.4 mi·50 sec·East Pine Street
17
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 21m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning from Houston, MS allows ample time to reach Hattiesburg, MS before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $32, you can plan for minimal interruptions. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services could be up to 67.8 miles on I 59. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when you're ready, but starting earlier ensures a relaxed pace.
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 108.7 miles from Houston, MS, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.8 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 48 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.7 miles or 2h 15m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hattiesburg, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Houston, 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 Houston, MS
This is one driving day of about 217.4 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Houston, 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 59 for about 67.8 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 203 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North Jefferson Street
Turn right onto North Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
5
19 mi into trip|~29m in|US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate
Merge onto US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
135.1 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|I 59
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
6
202.8 mi into trip|~3h 59m in
Take the exit toward Moselle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Moselle
8
203 mi into trip|~3h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Moselle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Moselle
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.18 one way
$60.36 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$33.77
$67.53
premium
$4.29
$36.71
$73.42
diesel
$4.80
$41.05
$82.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.2
0
$22.83
$10.44
Efficient EV
54.4
0
$19.02
$8.70
EV Truck/SUV
87
1
$30.44
$13.91
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Houston, MS
Late night
in Houston on Sunday
Local time
5:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Sunny
WNW 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:49PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Hattiesburg, MS
Late night
in Hattiesburg on Sunday
Local time
5:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Sunny
N 5 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:49PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
93°F
Meridian, MS
109 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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 21m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 91% of the 217.4 miles spent on major roads like I 59. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch on I 59, lasting 67.8 miles. The transition to US Highway 45 Alternate will mark the end of the most continuous highway cruising, introducing more local traffic and potentially more frequent exits as you approach your destination.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.8 mi on I 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US Highway 45 Aiternate. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Jefferson 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 12 significant decision points across 217.4 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 (North Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 19 miles (US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.1 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
460 ft164 ft
Total Climb
525 ft
Total Descent
714 ft
Highest Point
460 ft
~139.8 mi in
Elevation Range
296 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Houston, MS and Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Moselle.
Houston is a sprawling port city in Southeastern Texas. An oil boom and continuing international immigration has brought explosive growth to the city, and it is now the fifth largest metropolitan area in the United States and the most diverse large city since 2021. While at first glance, the city appears to be a 9-5 central business district surrounded by a sea of suburbs and strip malls, there are many hidden gems to be discovered.
=== Welcome World Cup fans ===
Games will be played at NRG Stadium on the south side of Houston
The best way to get to the stadium on game day is to use MetroRail trains (red line to NRG Stadium/Astrodome). Fare cards can be purchased at kiosks at train platforms and cost US$1.25 per ride
The best hotels for football fans are downtown or near the medical center (both areas have easy access to MetroRail).
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 21m. Total distance: 217.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.8 miles on I 59. 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 Hattiesburg, 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 (North Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 19 miles (US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.1 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Tupelo National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Hattiesburg, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
