Drive Time
5h 39m
Distance
294.9 mi
475 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
Photo: 大 董
Spanning 294.9 miles across Mississippi, this drive connects Byhalia to Hattiesburg in approximately 5 hours and 39 minutes. Because the route is entirely contained within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent environment as you traverse the state from north to south. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, requiring only one planned stop to keep you refreshed. You should budget roughly $45 for fuel to complete the journey comfortably. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this highway-focused transit is straightforward and reliable. It serves as an efficient way to cross the state without the need for 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
147.5 miles from Byhalia, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .
Expect a high-speed, highway-focused experience, as 99% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate via I-269, I-55, and Highway 49 South, with the vast majority of your time dedicated to the interstate. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 186.1 miles on I-55, which demands steady focus and patience behind the wheel. As you transition from the interstate segments onto Highway 49 South, the pace of the drive remains consistent. You can anticipate a predictable, efficient commute that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity between these two Mississippi hubs.
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 1.8 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 294.9 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 1.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 207 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward I 269:south, MS 304:west: Tunica
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South: Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49 toward Richland, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto US 49 / Highway 49 South
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Byhalia, MS to Hattiesburg, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Richland along the way.
Richland
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 186.1 mi | 3h 21m |
| Highway 49 South | 80.3 mi | 1h 37m |
| I 269 | 17.7 mi | 18m |
| US 49 | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Old Highway 42 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| MS 309 | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| MS 178 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Byhalia, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
Start on MS 178
Turn left onto MS 309
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 55
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Merge onto US 49
Continue on US 49; MS 42
Continue on US 49; MS 42
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
Turn right onto North Main Street
Turn left onto Batson Street
Turn right
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 5-hour and 39-minute journey, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid midday congestion. Since the route relies heavily on major arteries, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before entering the long 186.1-mile stretch on I-55. Plan your single required stop strategically to coincide with the transition from the interstate to Highway 49 South, which provides a natural break in your rhythm. Being prepared for high-speed travel is essential, so ensure your vehicle is road-ready before heading out. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, as the lack of complex navigation allows you to focus purely on managing your pace and 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.
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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.5 miles or 2h 42m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hattiesburg, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Byhalia, 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 Byhalia, MS
This is one driving day of about 294.9 miles and 5h 39m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 147.5 mi from Byhalia, MS · 2h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
147 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 147.5 miles from Byhalia, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.1 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$45.08 one way
$90.17 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $49.45 | $98.90 |
| premium | $4.61 | $53.52 | $107.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $65.52 | $131.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.5 | 1 | $30.96 | $14.16 |
| Efficient EV | 73.7 | 0 | $25.80 | $11.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118 | 1 | $41.29 | $18.87 |
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Byhalia on Sunday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Hattiesburg on Sunday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
147 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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