Drive Time
2h 35m
Distance
122.7 mi
197 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Photo: 大 董
Traveling from Philadelphia to Hattiesburg covers 122.7 miles through the heart of Southeast Mississippi. You can expect a total drive time of approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of about $19, the journey is quite affordable for most travelers. Because the route is highway-focused, you will spend most of your time on major roads like I-59 and US 11. Whether you are heading south for business or a quick change of scenery, the straightforward nature of this connection allows for a predictable and efficient commute between these two regional hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
61.4 miles from Philadelphia, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
This route features a highway-focused profile, with 68% of your travel occurring on higher-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 67.8 miles directly on I-59. The drive transitions from local roads like Holland Avenue into these faster arterial highways, offering a blend of slower navigation and steady interstate cruising. Expect the character of the road to shift as you move away from Philadelphia, trading local traffic for the consistent flow of the highway system. It is a functional drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and Holland Avenue. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 16; MS 19; MS 21 / Main Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 122.7 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (MS 16; MS 19; MS 21 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 38.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 40.4 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 MS 16; MS 19; MS 21 / Main 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 Philadelphia, 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 |
| Holland Avenue | 36.6 mi | 54m |
| US 11 | 13.5 mi | 19m |
| I 20 | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| Airport Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Moselle-Seminary Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Pine Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
Start on Front Street
Turn left onto MS 16; MS 19; MS 21
Turn right onto MS 19
Turn right 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
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, as the highway sections can see increased congestion. Since the drive is under three hours, one well-timed stop should be more than enough to keep you refreshed and alert behind the wheel. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $19, so topping off your tank before leaving Philadelphia can help you avoid unnecessary stops along the interstate. Given that the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule based on the day's traffic reports. Always double-check your navigation before hitting the 67.8-mile stretch on I-59 to ensure you are prepared for the highway portion of your journey.
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 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.4 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hattiesburg, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, MS
This is one driving day of about 122.7 miles and 2h 35m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.4 mi from Philadelphia, MS · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 61.4 miles from Philadelphia, 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
$18.76 one way
$37.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $20.57 | $41.15 |
| premium | $4.61 | $22.27 | $44.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $27.26 | $54.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.88 | $5.89 |
| Efficient EV | 30.7 | 0 | $10.74 | $4.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.18 | $7.85 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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 Philadelphia 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
61 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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