Southaven, MS to West Hattiesburg, MS is 284.2 miles and takes about 5h 23m via I 55 and US 49, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Mississippi, moving south through the Southeast region. For the most part, you'll be on major highways, making it a straightforward trip. Given the relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
142.1 miles from Southaven, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
195.5 mi
3h 31m
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
2.2 mi
3m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
1m
Hardy Street
1.2 mi
2m
Stateline Road West
0.3 mi
<1m
Millbranch Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Weathersby Road
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 West Hattiesburg, 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
1.9 mi·1 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 98 West: Columbia, Hardy StreetUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
236 ft·8 sec
Toward US 98 West: Hardy Street, University of Southern Mississippi, Columbia
16
Turn right onto US 98
1.2 mi·2 min·Hardy Street
Toward US 98 West: ColumbiaUse the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Weathersby Road
0.2 mi·35 sec·Weathersby Road
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto North Lane
0.1 mi·23 sec·North Lane
19
Arrive at destination
McKenzie Circle
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 23m drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With a total distance of 284.2 miles, it's easily manageable in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, a single stop for fuel and a break is sufficient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 195.5-mile segment on I 55, as services can be spread out. The $45 fuel estimate should help you budget accordingly for gas.
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 142.1 miles from Southaven, MS, or about 2h 35m 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 63 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.1 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Hattiesburg, 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 284.2 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 282.6 — 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
7
282.4 mi into trip|~5h 20m in
Take the exit toward US 98 West: Columbia, Hardy Street
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 US 98 West: Columbia, Hardy Street
7
282.6 mi into trip|~5h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 98 West: Hardy Street, University of Southern Mississippi, Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 98 West: Hardy Street, University of...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.68 one way
$87.36 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$48.31
$96.63
premium
$4.65
$52.00
$103.99
diesel
$5.35
$59.86
$119.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.3
1
$29.84
$13.64
Efficient EV
71.1
0
$24.87
$11.37
EV Truck/SUV
113.7
1
$39.79
$18.19
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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
2:06 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
West Hattiesburg, MS
Afternoon
in West Hattiesburg on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph6% 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
1 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 23m 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...
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 68.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 98% of the route on major roads. You’ll experience a long stretch of 195.5 miles on I 55 before transitioning to US 49 South. Expect minimal time on surface roads as you approach your destination. The high highway percentage means you'll encounter frequent exits and potentially faster speeds for most of the drive.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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?
8/10
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 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 14 significant decision points across 284.2 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
411 ft204 ft
Total Climb
427 ft
Total Descent
481 ft
Highest Point
411 ft
~101.5 mi in
Elevation Range
208 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 West Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg and Richland.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 284.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m 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 195.5 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 West 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 1 rest area 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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at West Hattiesburg, MS before the return drive.
