Ward's Restaurant
Around the midpoint, short detour
Laurel, Mississippi
Hours: 5:45 am–9 pm
+16016499278
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 32m
Distance
72.2 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Quitman, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Quitman, MS to Hattiesburg, MS is 72.2 miles and takes about 1h 32m via I 59, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This quick drive stays within Mississippi, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a straightforward highway-focused trip, making it an easy choice for a single-day journey. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so don't expect a ton of varied scenery, but it's a practical and efficient way to get from point A to point B. Consider this route when you need to get moving between these two Mississippi locations without a lot of fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.1 miles from Quitman, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 45.3 mi | 49m |
| US 11 | 13.5 mi | 19m |
| West Donald Street | 7.7 mi | 13m |
| MS 18 | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Moselle-Seminary Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Pine Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Archusa Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Depot Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Quitman, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
Start on MS 145
Turn right onto MS 512
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 512
Turn right onto MS 18; MS 512
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 59
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto Moselle-Seminary Road
Turn straight onto US 11
Turn right onto US 11
Arrive at destination
Given the short duration of just over 1.5 hours, this trip offers plenty of flexibility for departure time. You can easily leave Quitman in the morning or afternoon and still arrive in Hattiesburg well before evening. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, you won't need to worry too much about frequent refueling stops, though it's always wise to keep an eye on your gauge. There are no specific stops recommended for this route, so plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps at a rest area along I 59. A good tip is to be aware that you'll be transitioning from interstate to local roads as you enter Hattiesburg via West Donald Street, so stay alert for changing speed limits.
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.
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 16 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.1 miles or 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hattiesburg, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Quitman, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Quitman, MS
This is one driving day of about 72.2 miles and 1h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 36.1 miles from Quitman, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Around the midpoint, short detour
Laurel, Mississippi
Hours: 5:45 am–9 pm
+16016499278
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+16014501942
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+16015454576
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Hours: 1:30–8:30 pm
+16018136951
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+16019099060
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 57.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto MS 512 / West Depot Street
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 512 / West Donald Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Moselle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward Moselle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$10.90 one way
$21.81 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $11.97 | $23.94 |
| premium | $4.56 | $12.96 | $25.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.94 | $31.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.58 | $3.47 |
| Efficient EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.32 | $2.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.11 | $4.62 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Quitman on Tuesday
Local time
7:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Hattiesburg on Tuesday
Local time
7:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
84°F
Laurel, MS
36 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 87% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 45.3 miles on I 59, offering a consistent, high-speed cruising experience. While the majority is interstate, the route also incorporates US 11 and West Donald Street, which might offer a slight change of pace as you approach your destination. Expect smooth travel for the most part, with minimal interruptions as you cover the 72.2 miles.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 11. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near MS 512 / West Depot Street.
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 72.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.1 miles (MS 512 / West Depot Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (MS 512 / West Donald Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 12.4 miles (I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Quitman, MS to Hattiesburg, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Moselle along the way.
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 72.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Quitman, MS or browse trips ending in Hattiesburg, MS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.