Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
86.9 mi
140 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Photo: 大 董
Connecting Meridian to Hattiesburg is a straightforward 86.9-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 42 minutes. Because of the manageable distance and duration, this trip works perfectly as a quick day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations along the way. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the trek, making it a very budget-friendly transit through Southeast Mississippi. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, ensuring a consistent pace as you transition between these two hubs. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently without requiring extensive logistical planning.
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
43.5 miles from Meridian, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 95% of this route is dedicated to highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-59, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 67.8 miles. While you will briefly utilize I-20 and US-11, the overall character of the trip is defined by a focused, interstate-heavy pace. It is a classic highway-focused drive that favors speed and directness over the winding, technical nature of rural backroads. You will find that the road surface and traffic patterns remain relatively consistent throughout the drive, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 11. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 8th Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.9 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 0.1 miles (8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto 8th Street
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Moselle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward Moselle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Between Meridian, MS and Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Moselle.
New Orleans
Moselle
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 67.8 mi | 1h 13m |
| US 11 | 13.5 mi | 19m |
| I 20 | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| 8th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Airport Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Moselle-Seminary Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Pine Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Frontage Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Meridian, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
Start on 25th Avenue
Turn left onto 8th Street
Turn left onto MS 19
Turn right onto North Frontage Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20; I 59; US 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto Moselle-Seminary Road
Turn straight onto US 11
Turn right onto US 11
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time to avoid peak traffic. You should plan for a continuous drive, as there are no mandatory stops required to reach Hattiesburg in under two hours. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Meridian to ensure you have enough to cover the $13 estimated cost, as the 67.8-mile stretch on I-59 is the primary segment where you will be locked into your lane. Consider checking local traffic reports for I-59 before you head out, as even minor interstate delays can impact your arrival time. Utilizing the full 86.9-mile route effectively means you can easily accomplish your goals in Hattiesburg and return home on the same day.
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.5 miles or 49m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hattiesburg, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Meridian, 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 Meridian, MS
This is one driving day of about 86.9 miles and 1h 42m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.5 mi from Meridian, MS · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 43.5 miles from Meridian, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.8 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
$13.28 one way
$26.57 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $14.57 | $29.14 |
| premium | $4.61 | $15.77 | $31.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.31 | $38.61 |
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: 30.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.12 | $4.17 |
| Efficient EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.60 | $3.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.8 | 0 | $12.17 | $5.56 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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 Meridian on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
43 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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