Okolona, MS to Hattiesburg, MS is 210.5 miles and takes about 4h 9m via I 59 and US Highway 45 Alternate, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Mississippi, traversing the Southeast region from start to finish. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey with minimal deviations, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points. Plan for a single day of driving; the relatively short distance and duration mean you can comfortably complete this route without needing an overnight stop.
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
105.3 miles from Okolona, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m 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
50 mi
1h
US 11
13.5 mi
19m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
South Church Street
5 mi
8m
US 45
3.9 mi
4m
Moselle-Seminary Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 67.8 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Okolona, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
1
Start on MS 245
5.0 mi·8 min·South Church Street
2
Turn right onto US 45 ALT
50 mi·1 hr·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
6
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward MoselleUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
117 ft·6 sec
Toward MoselleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto Moselle-Seminary Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Moselle-Seminary Road
12
Turn straight onto US 11
13 mi·19 min·US 11
13
Turn right onto US 11
0.4 mi·50 sec·East Pine Street
14
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, starting your trip in the morning from Okolona allows ample time to reach Hattiesburg well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a high percentage of highway driving, you can easily complete this journey in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I 59, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The $32 fuel cost is a helpful estimate for budgeting your trip.
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 105.3 miles from Okolona, MS, or about 2h 6m 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 46 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.3 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 22m
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 Okolona, 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 Okolona, MS
This is one driving day of about 210.5 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Okolona, 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 5 and 196.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5 mi into trip|~8m in|US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate
Turn right onto US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
119.5 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
8
128.2 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
195.9 mi into trip|~3h 47m 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
196.1 mi into trip|~3h 47m 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
$31.79 one way
$63.58 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$34.90
$69.80
premium
$4.56
$37.78
$75.56
diesel
$5.61
$46.48
$92.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.2
0
$22.10
$10.10
Efficient EV
52.6
0
$18.42
$8.42
EV Truck/SUV
84.2
1
$29.47
$13.47
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Okolona, MS
Late night
in Okolona on Tuesday
Local time
5:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hattiesburg, MS
Late night
in Hattiesburg on Tuesday
Local time
5:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Meridian, MS
105 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 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 9m 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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the journey utilizing major highways like I 59 and US Highway 45 Alternate. Expect long stretches of consistent driving, including one segment of 67.8 miles solely on I 59. The character of the drive is largely that of efficient, high-speed travel, minimizing time spent on slower, local roads. While not overly complex, the consistent highway pace means you'll cover ground quickly, so staying alert is key.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 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?
7/10
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 around 5 miles in near US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate.
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 9 significant decision points across 210.5 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: at 5 miles (US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate): Lane positioning matters here; at 119.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.2 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Okolona, MS and Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Moselle.
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 4h 9m. Total distance: 210.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m 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 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: at 5 miles (US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate): Lane positioning matters here; at 119.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.2 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Hattiesburg, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
