Spanning 138.9 miles across Southeast Mississippi, this trip between Natchez and Hattiesburg is a straightforward journey typically taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Franklin Street, Devereaux Drive, and US 49 South as you transition between these two historic Mississippi hubs. Expect to spend approximately $21 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for your regional travels. Whether you are heading out for business or leisure, this drive offers a reliable connection through the heart of the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
71.9 miles from Natchez, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 84
108.6 mi
2h 7m
US 49
24.4 mi
30m
US 61
3.3 mi
3m
Old Highway 42
1.8 mi
3m
MS 184
1.4 mi
2m
Devereaux Drive
1.3 mi
2m
North Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Franklin Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 108.6 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Natchez, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
1
Start on South Pearl Street
388 ft·21 sec·South Pearl Street
2
Turn right onto Franklin Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Franklin Street
3
Turn slight left onto Devereaux Drive
1.1 mi·1 min·Devereaux Drive
4
Take the ramp onto Devereaux Drive
0.1 mi·19 sec·Devereaux Drive
5
Merge onto US 61; US 84
3.3 mi·3 min·US 61; US 84
6
Take the exit onto US 84
78 mi·1 hr 32 min·US 84
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 84
20 mi·23 min·US 84
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 84
10 mi·12 min·US 84
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
10
Turn straight onto MS 184
1.4 mi·2 min·MS 184
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 49 South: Hattiesburg
12
Merge onto US 49
22 mi·26 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 49; MS 42
2.4 mi·4 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
1.8 mi·3 min·Old Highway 42
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.2 mi·2 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Batson Street
154 ft·8 sec·Batson Street
18
Turn right
329 ft·25 sec
19
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
98 ft·4 sec·East Pine Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
For the most relaxed experience, plan your departure during daylight hours to better navigate the turn-heavy segments of your 2-hour and 30-minute trip. Since you only have one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before completing the remainder of your 138.9-mile drive. With a fuel budget of $21, it is wise to keep an eye on your gauge early in the trip, as local routes can sometimes be further from major service stations than you might anticipate. Because this is a relatively short drive, enjoy the flexibility of your schedule and do not feel pressured to rush through the local stretches. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prioritize checking your tire pressure before leaving Natchez, as the winding local roads can be more taxing on your vehicle than straight interstate driving.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.9 miles from Natchez, MS, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.6 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.9 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 21m
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 Natchez, 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 Natchez, MS
This is one driving day of about 143.8 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Natchez, 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 US 84 for about 108.6 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 5.7 and 143.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.7 mi into trip|~8m in|US 84
Take the exit onto US 84
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
116.2 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|US 49
Merge onto US 49
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
140.7 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|Old Highway 42
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
142.5 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|North Main Street
Turn right onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
143.7 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.72 one way
$43.43 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$23.84
$47.68
premium
$4.56
$25.81
$51.62
diesel
$5.61
$31.75
$63.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.1
0
$15.10
$6.90
Efficient EV
36
0
$12.58
$5.75
EV Truck/SUV
57.5
0
$20.13
$9.20
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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 15, 2026
Origin
Natchez, MS
Late night
in Natchez on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hattiesburg, MS
Late night
in Hattiesburg on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°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
1 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
2h 56m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate a variety of local roads that demand more active attention than a high-speed freeway trek. The character of the drive is defined by these winding segments, which require you to stay engaged with the steering wheel throughout the 138.9-mile journey. Since the path relies on local infrastructure, the pace is steady and reflects the character of the Southeast region you are traversing. Keep your focus sharp, as the technical nature of these roads creates a driving experience that feels far more personal and grounded than a standard highway slog.
97% 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: 108.6 mi on US 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and US 49. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.7 miles in near US 84.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 143.8 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.7 miles (US 84): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.2 miles (US 49): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.7 miles (Old Highway 42): Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 143.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 108.6 miles on US 84. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.7 miles (US 84): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.2 miles (US 49): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.7 miles (Old Highway 42): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hattiesburg, MS before heading back.
