Drive Time
5h 7m
Distance
260 mi
419 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
Photo: 大 董
Spanning 260 miles across Mississippi, this drive connects Booneville to Hattiesburg in roughly 5 hours and 7 minutes. Because the route is highway-focused, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You should budget approximately $40 for fuel to complete the journey. The route stays entirely within the Southeast region, moving through the heart of the state. It is a straightforward, practical transit option for those looking to travel from the northern part of Mississippi down toward the south. Overall, the drive offers a reliable pace, making it a solid choice for a direct, one-day road trip.
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
130 miles from Booneville, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Expect a highly efficient transit experience, as 98% of this route consists of highway driving. You will rely primarily on I-59 and US Highway 45 Alternate to cover the distance. The road maintains a consistent, fast-paced character throughout the journey, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 67.8 miles on I-59. While the route is designed for speed rather than technical winding roads, the transition between highway systems keeps the drive moving steadily. Behind the wheel, you will find the experience is largely about maintaining steady highway speeds while navigating the state's primary arterial roads.
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 3.2 miles in near MS 30.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 260 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 3.2 miles (MS 30): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.7 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto MS 30 toward US 45 South, MS 30 West: Tupelo, New Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
Take the exit toward Moselle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward Moselle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Between Booneville, MS and Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Moselle.
New Orleans
Moselle
| 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 45 | 37 mi | 43m |
| US 11 | 13.5 mi | 19m |
| I 20 | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| US 45 ALT | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| MS 30 | 6.8 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Booneville, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
Start on Washington Street
Turn left onto MS 145
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto MS 30
Keep slight left at fork onto MS 30
Continue on US 45
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Take the exit
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto Moselle-Seminary Road
Turn straight onto US 11
Turn right onto US 11
Arrive at destination
To keep your travel day efficient, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel during the 260-mile trek. Since the entire trip takes just over 5 hours, leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid any midday traffic buildup. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $40, so it is wise to fill up before you hit the longest 67.8-mile stretch on I-59. Because this is a relatively short, single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. Prioritize maintaining a steady pace on the highway sections, as the 98% highway share means you will be moving quickly for the vast majority of your time on the road.
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130 miles or 2h 36m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hattiesburg, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Booneville, 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 Booneville, MS
This is one driving day of about 260 miles and 5h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 130 mi from Booneville, MS · 2h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 130 miles from Booneville, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.8 miles.
The final approach into Hattiesburg, MS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Hattiesburg, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$39.75 one way
$79.49 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $43.60 | $87.19 |
| premium | $4.61 | $47.19 | $94.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $57.76 | $115.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78 | 0 | $27.30 | $12.48 |
| Efficient EV | 65 | 0 | $22.75 | $10.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104 | 1 | $36.40 | $16.64 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Booneville on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Hattiesburg on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
86°F
Butler, AL
130 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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