Winona to Hattiesburg is 180.3 miles and takes about 3h 35m via I 55 and US 49, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, connecting two points in the Southeast region. With over 97% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward and efficient trip. It’s a good option if you need to get from point A to point B relatively quickly without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
90.1 miles from Winona, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
89.5 mi
1h 37m
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
3.6 mi
6m
Old Highway 42
1.8 mi
3m
North Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Middleton Road
1 mi
1m
Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
Summit Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 89.5 mi, about 1h 37m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 90 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,260 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~182 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 100 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 Winona, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
1
Start on South Vine Street
78 ft·8 sec·South Vine Street
2
Turn left onto Summit Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Summit Street
3
Turn right onto US 51
0.4 mi·39 sec·North Applegate Street
4
Turn left onto MS 182
1.0 mi·1 min·Middleton Road
5
Turn left onto US 82
0.7 mi·1 min·Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
7
Merge onto I 55
90 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 55
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
10
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 49; MS 42
2.4 mi·4 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
1.8 mi·3 min·Old Highway 42
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.2 mi·2 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto Batson Street
154 ft·8 sec·Batson Street
16
Turn right
329 ft·25 sec
17
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
98 ft·4 sec·East Pine Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 35-minute drive time, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving Winona in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Hattiesburg. The longest stretch without a significant break is 89.5 miles on I 55, so plan a quick stop before or after that segment if you prefer. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, topping off your tank before you leave Winona is likely sufficient for the entire trip.
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 90.1 miles from Winona, MS, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.5 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 40 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.1 miles or 1h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 51m
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 Winona, 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 Winona, MS
This is one driving day of about 180.3 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Winona, 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 89.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 90.1 miles from Winona, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 92.4 and 179 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
92.4 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattie...
6
93.3 mi into trip|~1h 44m 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
94.1 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
177.1 mi into trip|~3h 28m in|Old Highway 42
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
179 mi into trip|~3h 31m in|North Main Street
Turn right onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.41 one way
$52.83 round trip
$3.72/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.13
$29.32
$58.65
premium
$4.49
$31.84
$63.69
diesel
$5.60
$39.74
$79.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.1
0
$18.93
$8.65
Efficient EV
45.1
0
$15.78
$7.21
EV Truck/SUV
72.1
0
$25.24
$11.54
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Sep 1, 2026
Origin
Winona, MS
Afternoon
in Winona on Friday
Local time
12:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 12:03AM CDT until September 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 12:03AM CDT until September 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Destination
Hattiesburg, MS
Afternoon
in Hattiesburg on Friday
Local time
12:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 12:03AM CDT until September 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 12:03AM CDT until September 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
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
2 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
3h 35m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 route is heavily highway-focused, with 97% of the 180.3 miles on major roads like I 55 and US 49. You'll experience an 89.5-mile stretch on I 55 before transitioning to US 49 South. The highway portion means you'll encounter a consistent flow of traffic and likely a good number of exits in certain areas.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Highway 49 South. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 92.4 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 180.3 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 92.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.1 miles (US 49 / Highway 49 South): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
477 ft164 ft
Total Climb
268 ft
Total Descent
498 ft
Highest Point
477 ft
~129.5 mi in
Elevation Range
313 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Winona, MS to Hattiesburg, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Richland along the way.
Winona, known as the Island City, is a historic river and college town in Southeastern Minnesota, located on a large sandbar among the bluffs along the Mississippi River. It is about 110 miles southeast of the Twin Cities.
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.
Top landmarks
•Hattiesburg station — Amtrak station in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
•Old Hattiesburg High School — high school in Mississippi, United States
•African American Military History Museum — United States historic place
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 35m. Total distance: 180.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.5 miles on I 55. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 92.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.1 miles (US 49 / Highway 49 South): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Hattiesburg, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
