Spanning 229.1 miles across Mississippi, this drive from Rosedale to Hattiesburg takes approximately 4 hours and 59 minutes to complete. Because the duration is just under five hours, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip if you are comfortable with a steady pace. You can expect to spend about $35 on fuel for the journey. The route primarily utilizes Highway 49 South, though you will also navigate sections like North Martin Luther King Drive and Jerry Clower Boulevard. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will experience consistent cultural surroundings throughout your travel. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, this direct path offers a straightforward way to traverse the state in one sitting.
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
114.5 miles from Rosedale, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
North Martin Luther King Drive
46.2 mi
55m
Jerry Clower Boulevard
38.8 mi
47m
MS 8
19.5 mi
29m
MS 448
13.5 mi
23m
US 49
12.8 mi
17m
North Davis Avenue
10.7 mi
14m
Old Highway 42
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rosedale, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
1
Start on MS 1
0.5 mi·52 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto MS 8
19 mi·29 min·MS 8
3
Take the ramp
138 ft·3 sec
4
Turn right onto US 61; US 278
11 mi·14 min·North Davis Avenue
5
Turn left onto MS 448
1.1 mi·2 min·East Peeler Avenue
6
Turn right onto MS 448
13 mi·23 min·MS 448
7
Turn left onto US 82
0.7 mi·1 min·US 82
8
Turn right onto US 49W
46 mi·55 min·North Martin Luther King Drive
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W
0.5 mi·53 sec·US 49W
Toward US 49 South: Jackson
10
Merge onto US 49
39 mi·47 min·Jerry Clower Boulevard
11
Take the exit onto US 49
4.9 mi·5 min·US 49
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
3.8 mi·5 min·US 49
13
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.1 mi·1 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
347 ft·4 sec·I 20; US 49
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
15
Take the exit onto US 49
0.6 mi·42 sec·US 49
Toward Hattiesburg
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
17
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 49; MS 42
2.4 mi·4 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
1.8 mi·3 min·Old Highway 42
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.2 mi·2 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto Batson Street
154 ft·8 sec·Batson Street
23
Turn right
329 ft·25 sec
24
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
98 ft·4 sec·East Pine Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 229.1-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy for avoiding traffic congestion as you transition through the various road types. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, keeping that $35 estimate in mind as you plan your refueling stops along the way. Since the route is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions or personal fatigue. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert during the transition between the local city streets and the longer highway stretches, as speed limits and road conditions change frequently on Highway 49 South.
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 114.5 miles from Rosedale, MS, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 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 50 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.5 miles or 2h 35m 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 5m
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 Rosedale, 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 Rosedale, MS
This is one driving day of about 229.1 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Rosedale, 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 Highway 49 South for about 80.3 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 92.3 and 225.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
92.3 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|US 49W
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W toward US 49 South: Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 49 South: Jackson
6
141.4 mi into trip|~3h 8m in|I 20; US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49 toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
6
142.1 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49 toward Richland, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
5
142.8 mi into trip|~3h 10m in|US 49 / Highway 49 South
Merge onto US 49 / Highway 49 South
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
225.9 mi into trip|~4h 52m in|Old Highway 42
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.60 one way
$69.20 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$37.98
$75.96
premium
$4.56
$41.12
$82.24
diesel
$5.61
$50.58
$101.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.7
0
$24.06
$11.00
Efficient EV
57.3
0
$20.05
$9.16
EV Truck/SUV
91.6
1
$32.07
$14.66
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Rosedale, MS
Late night
in Rosedale on Tuesday
Local time
5:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hattiesburg, MS
Late night
in Hattiesburg on Tuesday
Local time
5:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Madison, MS
115 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
21 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 59m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed driving profile, balancing highway travel with segments that demand more attention. Roughly 57% of your time will be spent on highways, providing a consistent pace for the majority of the trip. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South, which serves as the backbone of your journey. As you transition from the local connectors to the main thoroughfares, the road personality shifts from neighborhood-adjacent streets to more open transit. Expect a functional drive that avoids the monotony of a purely interstate route while offering enough speed to keep your travel time under the five-hour mark.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.3 mi on Highway 49 South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 92.3 miles in near US 49W.
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 19 significant decision points across 229.1 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 92.3 miles (US 49W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 141.4 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.1 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
484 ft107 ft
Total Climb
413 ft
Total Descent
395 ft
Highest Point
484 ft
~180 mi in
Elevation Range
377 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rosedale, MS and Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward Meridian and Richland.
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 59m. Total distance: 229.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South. 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 92.3 miles (US 49W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 141.4 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.1 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Hattiesburg, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
