Drive Time
2h 10m
Distance
101.4 mi
163 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
Photo: 大 董
Stretching 101.4 miles across Mississippi, this drive from Hattiesburg to Madison is a straightforward journey typically taking about 2 hours and 10 minutes. Because the route is highly efficient, it serves as an ideal day trip, allowing you to reach your destination in a single outing without needing an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for regional travel. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will remain in a familiar environment throughout the transit. This drive is best viewed as a practical connection between two major hubs rather than a leisurely sightseeing tour.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
50.7 miles from Hattiesburg, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 98% of your time will be spent on major roads. Your journey relies on a combination of US 49, I-55, and US 51 to navigate north through the state. The most significant portion of your travel occurs on US 49, which accounts for a 84.7-mile stretch of uninterrupted driving. Because the route is dominated by high-speed corridors, you will find it to be a consistent and predictable trip behind the wheel. Prepare for a steady, focused drive that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity over winding backroads or technical maneuvers.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 967 / North Main Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 101.4 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: near the start (MS 967 / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (Old Highway 42): Lane positioning matters here; at 86.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto MS 967 / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn left onto Old Highway 42
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49 toward Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right onto Depot Drive
Navigation decision point
On the drive from Hattiesburg, MS to Madison, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Jackson
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 49 | 84.7 mi | 1h 44m |
| I 55 | 8.3 mi | 10m |
| US 51 | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Old Highway 42 | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North Main Street | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| I-55 North Frontage Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Depot Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hattiesburg, MS and Madison, MS.
Start on US 11
Turn right onto MS 967
At end of road, turn left onto Old Highway 42
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto US 49
Continue on US 49; MS 42
Continue on US 49
Continue on US 49
Continue on US 49
Continue on US 49
Take the exit onto US 49
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Merge onto I 55
Take the exit
Continue on I-55 North Frontage Road
Turn straight onto US 51
Turn left onto Main Street
Turn right onto Depot Drive
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without worrying about a complex itinerary. However, keeping an eye on traffic patterns as you approach the Madison area is a smart move to ensure a smooth arrival. While the route does not feature any mandatory stops, planning for a quick break mid-way can help keep you refreshed during the 2-hour drive. Given the highway-heavy nature of the route, check your fuel levels before leaving Hattiesburg to avoid unnecessary stops along the faster stretches of US 49. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to focus on reaching your destination efficiently.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.7 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hattiesburg, 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 Hattiesburg, MS
This is one driving day of about 101.4 miles and 2h 10m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.7 mi from Hattiesburg, MS · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 50.7 miles from Hattiesburg, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.7 miles.
The final approach into Madison, 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 Madison, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$15.50 one way
$31.00 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $17.00 | $34.00 |
| premium | $4.61 | $18.40 | $36.81 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $22.53 | $45.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.4 | 0 | $10.65 | $4.87 |
| Efficient EV | 25.4 | 0 | $8.87 | $4.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.6 | 0 | $14.20 | $6.49 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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 Hattiesburg on Sunday
Local time
2:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Madison on Sunday
Local time
2:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
51 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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