Spanning 274.6 miles across Mississippi, this drive connects Ripley to Hattiesburg in approximately 5 hours and 28 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and takes under six hours of driving time, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You should budget about $42 for fuel to cover the journey from the northern reaches of the state down to the southeast. Since both the origin and destination are within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural and geographic feel throughout your travels. While you could easily push through in one go, planning for at least one stop will help you stay refreshed for the duration of the trip.
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
137.3 miles from Ripley, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m 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
54.7 mi
1h 6m
I 22
21.8 mi
23m
City Avenue South
20.2 mi
30m
US 45
18 mi
21m
US 11
13.5 mi
19m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 67.8 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ripley, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
1
Start on West Walnut Street
457 ft·22 sec·West Walnut Street
2
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
3
Turn right onto MS 15
20 mi·30 min·City Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: TupeloUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 22; US 78
22 mi·23 min·I 22; US 78
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward US 45:south: Tupelo
7
Merge onto US 45
14 mi·17 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
9
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
10
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
11
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
12
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
13
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
17
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
19
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.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward MoselleUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
117 ft·6 sec
Toward MoselleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto Moselle-Seminary Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Moselle-Seminary Road
23
Turn straight onto US 11
13 mi·19 min·US 11
24
Turn right onto US 11
0.4 mi·50 sec·East Pine Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 274.6-mile trek, try to depart early in the morning to avoid midday traffic congestion. Even though the drive is manageable in a single day, taking that one recommended stop will break up the monotony of the highway-heavy segments. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between US Highway 45 Alternate and the interstate, to ensure you stay within your $42 budget. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; since the route is relatively short, you have the freedom to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected delays. Always check your tire pressure before leaving Ripley, as the high percentage of highway driving puts a consistent load on your vehicle.
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 137.3 miles from Ripley, MS, or about 2h 48m 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 60 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.3 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 28m
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 Ripley, 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 Ripley, MS
This is one driving day of about 274.6 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Ripley, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 260.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|MS 15 / City Avenue South
Turn right onto MS 15 / City Avenue South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
20.7 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the ramp toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo
8
192.3 mi into trip|~3h 52m 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
260 mi into trip|~5h 5m 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
260.2 mi into trip|~5h 6m 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
$41.47 one way
$82.94 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$45.53
$91.05
premium
$4.56
$49.29
$98.57
diesel
$5.61
$60.63
$121.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.4
1
$28.83
$13.18
Efficient EV
68.7
0
$24.03
$10.98
EV Truck/SUV
109.8
1
$38.44
$17.57
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Ripley, MS
Night
in Ripley on Saturday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hattiesburg, MS
Night
in Hattiesburg on Saturday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Meridian, MS
137 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
28 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
5h 28m 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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 37.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of this route consists of high-speed roads. You will rely heavily on US Highway 45 Alternate and I-59 to make steady progress toward your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 67.8 miles on I-59, which allows for consistent cruising speed. While the road is efficient and designed for moving quickly through the state, be prepared for the transition between the local highway infrastructure and the larger interstate system. This is a practical, functional drive that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B without unnecessary deviations.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
9/10
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 0.5 miles in near MS 15 / City Avenue South.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 274.6 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 0.5 miles (MS 15 / City Avenue South): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.3 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
487 ft164 ft
Total Climb
280 ft
Total Descent
603 ft
Highest Point
487 ft
Elevation Range
323 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ripley, MS and Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Moselle.
New Orleans
192.3 mi in|~3h 52m|via I 59
Moselle
260 mi in|~5h 5m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 274.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (MS 15 / City Avenue South): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.3 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hattiesburg, MS before the return drive.
