Southaven, MS to Lumberton, MS is 308.5 miles and takes about 5h 50m via I 55 and Highway 49 South, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, starting in the Southeast region and ending in the same region. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates and highways, so expect a consistent pace for the majority of the drive. It's a solid option if you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
154.3 miles from Southaven, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
195.5 mi
3h 31m
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
25.7 mi
27m
US 49
2.2 mi
3m
East Main Avenue
2 mi
4m
Stateline Road West
0.3 mi
<1m
Millbranch Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Haleville Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 195.5 mi, about 3h 31m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 57 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,443 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~141 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southaven, MS and Lumberton, MS.
1
Start on Five Oaks Drive West
0.1 mi·30 sec·Five Oaks Drive West
2
Turn right onto Haleville Drive
0.2 mi·53 sec·Haleville Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto Millbranch Road
0.2 mi·38 sec·Millbranch Road
4
Turn right onto Stateline Road West
0.3 mi·29 sec·Stateline Road West
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
6
Merge onto I 55; I 69
195 mi·3 hr 31 min·I 55; I 69
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
9
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 59
26 mi·27 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward MS 13: LumbertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto MS 13
2.0 mi·4 min·East Main Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto US 11
61 ft·1 sec·Highway 11
17
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 50m estimated drive time, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With a fuel cost estimated around $49, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is practical, especially since you'll be on the highway for a significant duration. The longest stretch without needing to exit is 195.5 miles on I 55, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment. There's only one recommended stop, so you can be flexible with when and where you choose to take a break.
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 154.3 miles from Southaven, MS, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195.5 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 68 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.3 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lumberton, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Southaven, 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 Southaven, MS
This is one driving day of about 308.5 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Southaven, 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 55 for about 195.5 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 306.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Millbranch Road
At end of road, turn left onto Millbranch Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
197.7 mi into trip|~3h 36m 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
7
280.2 mi into trip|~5h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
6
280.6 mi into trip|~5h 18m in|I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
6
306.3 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Take the exit toward MS 13: Lumberton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MS 13: Lumberton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.42 one way
$94.83 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$52.45
$104.89
premium
$4.65
$56.44
$112.88
diesel
$5.35
$64.98
$129.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.6
1
$32.39
$14.81
Efficient EV
77.1
0
$26.99
$12.34
EV Truck/SUV
123.4
1
$43.19
$19.74
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Southaven, MS
Afternoon
in Southaven on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:37PM CDT until June 3 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:35PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Lumberton, MS
Afternoon
in Lumberton on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:37PM CDT until June 3 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:35PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 50m 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.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 191.5
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
National Monument
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 63.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 90% highway, meaning you'll be on major roads for almost the entire 308.5 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 195.5 miles on I 55, so plan for extended periods of cruising. You'll transition from the interstate to surface roads for the final portion of your drive. Expect to see a lot of highway exits and entrances, typical of traveling on major US highways.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 195.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Highway 49 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Millbranch Road.
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 12 significant decision points across 308.5 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 0.3 miles (Millbranch Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 197.7 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
441 ft239 ft
Total Climb
452 ft
Total Descent
468 ft
Highest Point
441 ft
~242.4 mi in
Elevation Range
202 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Southaven, MS and Lumberton, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast and Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Hattiesburg
196.8 mi in|~3h 34m
Richland
197.7 mi in|~3h 36m|via US 49
Gulf Coast
280.2 mi in|~5h 17m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
280.6 mi in|~5h 18m|via I 59
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 50m. Total distance: 308.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 195.5 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Lumberton, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Millbranch Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 197.7 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lumberton, MS before the return drive.
