The drive from Lambert, MS to Hattiesburg, MS covers 261.1 miles and takes about 5h 10m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, Highway 49 South, US 278 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 147.8 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.43 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
130.6 miles from Lambert, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 261.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 10m highway drive covering 261.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Highway 49 South. The longest continuous stretch is about 147.8 miles on I 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 147.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Highway 49 South. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 173.2 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 261.1 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 173.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174.9 miles (US 49 / Highway 49 South): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
173.2 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
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
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattie...
6
174.2 mi into trip|~3h 19m in|US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49 toward Richland, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
5
174.9 mi into trip|~3h 21m in|US 49 / Highway 49 South
Merge onto US 49 / Highway 49 South
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
258 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|Old Highway 42
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
259.8 mi into trip|~5h 6m in|North Main Street
Turn right onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lambert, MS to Hattiesburg, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Richland along the way.
Richland
174.2 mi in|~3h 19m|via US 49
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
147.8 mi
2h 40m
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 278
20.8 mi
29m
10th Street
4.2 mi
7m
US 49
3.6 mi
6m
Old Highway 42
1.8 mi
3m
North Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Darby Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 147.8 mi, about 2h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lambert, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
1
Start on Darby Avenue
0.2 mi·42 sec·Darby Avenue
2
Turn right onto MS 3; MS 322
4.2 mi·7 min·10th Street
3
Turn right onto US 278; MS 6
21 mi·29 min·US 278; MS 6
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
5
Merge onto I 55
148 mi·2 hr 40 min·I 55
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
8
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 49; MS 42
2.4 mi·4 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
1.8 mi·3 min·Old Highway 42
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.2 mi·2 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto Batson Street
154 ft·8 sec·Batson Street
14
Turn right
329 ft·25 sec
15
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
98 ft·4 sec·East Pine Street
16
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 130.6 miles from Lambert, MS, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.8 miles.
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 57 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.6 miles or 2h 32m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hattiesburg, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lambert, 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 Lambert, MS
This is one driving day of about 261.1 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Lambert, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 147.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 130.6 mi from Lambert, MS
· 2h 32m into the drive
The midpoint is around 130.6 miles from Lambert, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 147.8 miles.
Arriving in Hattiesburg, MS
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 171.1
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
National Monument
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.43 one way
$78.86 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$43.29
$86.57
premium
$4.56
$46.86
$93.73
diesel
$5.61
$57.65
$115.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.3
0
$27.42
$12.53
Efficient EV
65.3
0
$22.85
$10.44
EV Truck/SUV
104.4
1
$36.55
$16.71
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Lambert, MS
Afternoon
in Lambert on Friday
Local time
12:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hattiesburg, MS
Afternoon
in Hattiesburg on Friday
Local time
12:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
S 0 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
55°F
Florence, MS
131 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
33 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 10m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lambert, MS to Hattiesburg, MS covers 261.1 miles and takes about 5h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Highway 49 South, US 278. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 130.6 miles from Lambert, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.43 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 261.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 173.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174.9 miles (US 49 / Highway 49 South): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Lambert, MS to Hattiesburg, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Richland along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
