Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
90.2 mi
145 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
Photo: 大 董
If you are planning a quick trip from Jackson to Hattiesburg, you can expect a straightforward journey covering 90.2 miles. This drive typically takes about 1 hour and 56 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily utilize Highway 49 South and US 49 to navigate between these two Southeast Mississippi hubs. With an estimated fuel cost of just $14, it is an economical route that requires no overnight stops. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the simplicity of this path allows for a stress-free transit across the region.
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
45.1 miles from Jackson, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 96% of your time spent on major routes. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 80.3 miles along Highway 49 South. The road maintains a consistent pace, transitioning from the capital city environment into more open stretches as you head toward Hattiesburg. While you might use Old Highway 42 for local access, the vast majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent on high-capacity roads. Expect a functional, direct driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 49 South and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 90.2 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 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4 miles (US 49 / Highway 49 South): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 49 South | 80.3 mi | 1h 37m |
| US 49 | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Old Highway 42 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| North Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| I 55 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East Pascagoula Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Pearl Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Lamar Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
Start on East Pearl Street
Turn left onto South Lamar Street
Turn left onto East Pascagoula Street
Take the ramp
Keep slight right 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
Since the total duration is under two hours, you have significant flexibility in your departure schedule. You can easily complete the drive in one go, so there is no need to worry about planning formal rest stops unless you prefer them. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Jackson, though your $14 estimate should comfortably cover the 90.2-mile distance. Because this is a high-speed route, remain attentive to changing speed limits as you move through different municipalities along the corridor. Aim to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours in Jackson to ensure you maintain that efficient two-hour travel window.
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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.1 miles or 57m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hattiesburg, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Jackson, 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 Jackson, MS
This is one driving day of about 90.2 miles and 1h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.1 mi from Jackson, MS · 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 45.1 miles from Jackson, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Highway 49 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.3 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
$13.79 one way
$27.58 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $15.12 | $30.25 |
| premium | $4.61 | $16.37 | $32.74 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.04 | $40.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.47 | $4.33 |
| Efficient EV | 22.6 | 0 | $7.89 | $3.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.1 | 0 | $12.63 | $5.77 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 Jackson on Sunday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Hattiesburg on Sunday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
45 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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