Shannon, MS to Hattiesburg, MS is 219.6 miles and takes about 4h 19m via I 59 and US Highway 45 Alternate, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a highway-focused experience for the vast majority of your journey. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward path, this is a perfect option for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
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
109.8 miles from Shannon, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m 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
US 11
13.5 mi
19m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
US 45
3.9 mi
4m
Martin Luther King Drive
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 67.8 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shannon, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
1
Start on Boyd Avenue
73 ft·5 sec·Boyd Avenue
2
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Broad Street
3
Turn left onto North Collins
124 ft·7 sec·North Collins
4
Turn right onto MS 145
433 ft·6 sec·Noah Curtis Street
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward US 45 Alternate South: West Point
6
Merge onto US 45 ALT
1.2 mi·1 min·Martin Luther King Drive
7
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
8
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
9
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
10
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
11
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
12
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
16
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
18
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.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward MoselleUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
117 ft·6 sec
Toward MoselleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto Moselle-Seminary Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Moselle-Seminary Road
22
Turn straight onto US 11
13 mi·19 min·US 11
23
Turn right onto US 11
0.4 mi·50 sec·East Pine Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 19m estimated drive time, starting your journey in the morning will comfortably get you to Hattiesburg before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can plan for a single break roughly halfway through or when needed. The fuel cost is estimated at $33, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before departing Shannon. Pay attention to the transition between I 59 and US Highway 45 Alternate, as this is where the road character shifts slightly. Since this is a manageable drive, you have the flexibility to stop more or less frequently based on your personal comfort.
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 109.8 miles from Shannon, MS, or about 2h 11m 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 48 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.8 miles or 2h 11m 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 29m
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 Shannon, 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 Shannon, MS
This is one driving day of about 219.6 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Shannon, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 128.6 and 205.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
128.6 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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
5
129.1 mi into trip|~2h 33m in|I 20; I 59
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
137.2 mi into trip|~2h 43m 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
205 mi into trip|~3h 56m 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
205.1 mi into trip|~3h 57m 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
$33.16 one way
$66.33 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$36.41
$72.81
premium
$4.56
$39.42
$78.83
diesel
$5.61
$48.48
$96.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.9
0
$23.06
$10.54
Efficient EV
54.9
0
$19.22
$8.78
EV Truck/SUV
87.8
1
$30.74
$14.05
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Shannon, MS
Late night
in Shannon on Tuesday
Local time
4:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hattiesburg, MS
Late night
in Hattiesburg on Tuesday
Local time
4:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Meridian, MS
110 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 19m 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 overwhelmingly a highway drive, with 98% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll spend most of your time on I 59, experiencing a consistent pace for extended periods. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 67.8 miles on I 59, so be prepared for a substantial segment of highway cruising. While primarily interstate, there's a brief section on US Highway 45 Alternate, offering a slight variation before rejoining the faster-paced highway driving. Overall, anticipate a smooth, high-speed transit.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
8/10
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 128.6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 219.6 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 128.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.1 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.2 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 Shannon, 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 19m. Total distance: 219.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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 128.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.1 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.2 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Hattiesburg, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
