Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
148.6 mi
239 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
Photo: 大 董
The drive from Carthage, MS to Hattiesburg, MS covers 148.6 miles and takes about 3h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 84, US 49, Seargent Prentiss Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 108.6 miles on US 84. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.72 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
74.3 miles from Carthage, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
This is a 3h 9m highway drive covering 148.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 84 and US 49. The longest continuous stretch is about 108.6 miles on US 84.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and US 49. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.5 miles in near US 84.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 148.6 miles you will encounter 11 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 10.5 miles (US 84): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 121 miles (US 49): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.4 miles (Old Highway 42): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit onto US 84
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 49
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 84 | 108.6 mi | 2h 7m |
| US 49 | 24.4 mi | 30m |
| Seargent Prentiss Drive | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| Carthage Point Road | 2.3 mi | 8m |
| Old Highway 42 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| MS 184 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Highland Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
Start on this road
Turn straight onto Carthage Point Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
Turn straight onto Lower Woodville Road
Turn right onto Highland Boulevard
Turn left onto US 61
Take the exit onto US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Take the exit
Turn straight onto MS 184
Take the ramp
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
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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.3 miles or 1h 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 2h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hattiesburg, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Carthage, 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 Carthage, MS
This is one driving day of about 148.6 miles and 3h 9m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.3 mi from Carthage, MS · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 74.3 miles from Carthage, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 84 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.6 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
$22.72 one way
$45.43 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $24.92 | $49.83 |
| premium | $4.61 | $26.97 | $53.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.01 | $66.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.6 | 0 | $15.60 | $7.13 |
| Efficient EV | 37.2 | 0 | $13.00 | $5.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.4 | 0 | $20.80 | $9.51 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Carthage on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
85°F
Magee, MS
74 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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