Drive Time
1h 41m
Distance
88 mi
142 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Photo: RDNE Stock project
Connecting Hattiesburg to Meridian, this 88-mile journey through Southeast Mississippi is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 1 hour and 41 minutes. Because of the relatively short distance, it serves perfectly as a quick day trip rather than requiring an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the round trip, making it an affordable excursion. Your path will primarily follow I-59, the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, and the Evelyn Gandy Parkway. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the efficiency of this route allows for plenty of flexibility in your schedule.
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
44 miles from Hattiesburg, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While you will spend a portion of your time on major corridors, the route maintains a distinct personality with only 6% of the trip classified as traditional highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, which accounts for a 77.7-mile stretch of your journey. The road transitions from local thoroughfares to these longer segments, creating a rhythm that keeps you engaged. Prepare for a drive that feels more like a technical local navigation than a monotonous interstate cruise.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 88 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 3 miles (MS 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
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
Turn left onto MS 42 / Evelyn Gandy Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Philadelphia, Meridian Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from Hattiesburg, MS to Meridian, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscaloosa along the way.
Tuscaloosa
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway | 77.7 mi | 1h 24m |
| I 59 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Evelyn Gandy Parkway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| 8th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Glendale Avenue | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| US 11 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Old Highway 42 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hattiesburg, MS and Meridian, MS.
Start on US 11
Turn right onto MS 967
At end of road, turn left onto Old Highway 42
Turn right onto Glendale Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto Monroe Road
Turn left onto MS 42
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 59
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 11
Turn right onto 8th Street
Turn right onto 25th Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 1 hour and 41 minute duration, you have the advantage of being able to leave whenever fits your schedule best without needing to worry about mid-trip lodging. Since there are no designated stops programmed into this route, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you depart to cover the $13 estimated cost. Pay close attention to the turn-heavy nature of the local segments, as these areas require more focus than a straight interstate drive. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete the entire 88-mile distance in one go. Keep your navigation system handy to manage the transition between the Evelyn Gandy Parkway and the longer stretches of the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway.
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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44 miles or 52m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meridian, 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 88 miles and 1h 41m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44 mi from Hattiesburg, MS · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 44 miles from Hattiesburg, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.7 miles.
The final approach into Meridian, 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 Meridian, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$13.45 one way
$26.91 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $14.76 | $29.51 |
| premium | $4.61 | $15.97 | $31.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.55 | $39.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.24 | $4.22 |
| Efficient EV | 22 | 0 | $7.70 | $3.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.32 | $5.63 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
5:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Meridian on Sunday
Local time
5:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
44 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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