Trip from Ripley, MS to Hattiesburg, MS

Drive Time

5h 28m

Distance

274.6 mi

442 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 15m ★
6 AM
5h 28m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 38m
12 PM
5h 35m
3 PM
5h 39m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 20m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Ripley, MS, MS

Ripley, MS

Jason Walters

Trip Overview

Spanning 274.6 miles across Mississippi, this drive connects Ripley to Hattiesburg in approximately 5 hours and 28 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and takes under six hours of driving time, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You should budget about $42 for fuel to cover the journey from the northern reaches of the state down to the southeast. Since both the origin and destination are within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural and geographic feel throughout your travels. While you could easily push through in one go, planning for at least one stop will help you stay refreshed for the duration of the trip.

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

137.3 miles from Ripley, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of this route consists of high-speed roads. You will rely heavily on US Highway 45 Alternate and I-59 to make steady progress toward your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 67.8 miles on I-59, which allows for consistent cruising speed. While the road is efficient and designed for moving quickly through the state, be prepared for the transition between the local highway infrastructure and the larger interstate system. This is a practical, functional drive that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B without unnecessary deviations.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 67.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US Highway 45 Aiternate. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near MS 15 / City Avenue South.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 274.6 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 0.5 miles (MS 15 / City Avenue South): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.3 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | MS 15 / City Avenue South

Turn right onto MS 15 / City Avenue South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
20.7 mi into trip | ~31m in

Take the ramp toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo
8
192.3 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in | I 59

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
6
260 mi into trip | ~5h 5m in

Take the exit toward Moselle

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward Moselle
8
260.2 mi into trip | ~5h 6m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Moselle

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Moselle

Towns Along This Route

Between Ripley, MS and Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Moselle.

New Orleans

192.3 mi in | ~3h 52m | via I 59

Moselle

260 mi in | ~5h 5m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 59 67.8 mi 1h 13m
US Highway 45 Aiternate 60.6 mi 1h 9m
US Highway 45 Alternate 54.7 mi 1h 6m
I 22 21.8 mi 23m
City Avenue South 20.2 mi 30m
US 45 18 mi 21m
US 11 13.5 mi 19m
I 20 8.1 mi 9m
Longest stretch: I 59 — 67.8 mi, about 1h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ripley, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.

1

Start on West Walnut Street

457 ft · 22 sec · West Walnut Street
2

Turn right onto South Main Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
3

Turn right onto MS 15

20 mi · 30 min · City Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto I 22; US 78

22 mi · 23 min · I 22; US 78
6

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward US 45:south: Tupelo
7

Merge onto US 45

14 mi · 17 min · US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on US 45 ALT

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 45 ALT
Use the none lane.
9

Continue on US 45 ALT

2.2 mi · 2 min · US 45 ALT
Use the none lane.
10

Continue on US 45 ALT

1.5 mi · 1 min · US 45 ALT
Use the none lane.
11

Continue on US 45 ALT

0.7 mi · 49 sec · US 45 ALT
Use the none lane.
12

Continue on US 45 ALT

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 45 ALT
Use the none lane.
13

Continue on US 45 ALT

55 mi · 1 hr 6 min · US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the none lane.
14

Continue on US 45

61 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US Highway 45 Aiternate
Use the none lane.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto US 45

3.9 mi · 4 min · US 45
16

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
17

Merge onto I 20; I 59

6.3 mi · 7 min · I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 59

68 mi · 1 hr 13 min · I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Toward Moselle Use the slight right lane.
21

Keep slight left at fork

117 ft · 6 sec
Toward Moselle Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22

Turn left onto Moselle-Seminary Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Moselle-Seminary Road
23

Turn straight onto US 11

13 mi · 19 min · US 11
Use the none lane.
24

Turn right onto US 11

0.4 mi · 50 sec · East Pine Street
25

Arrive at destination

US 11

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 274.6-mile trek, try to depart early in the morning to avoid midday traffic congestion. Even though the drive is manageable in a single day, taking that one recommended stop will break up the monotony of the highway-heavy segments. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between US Highway 45 Alternate and the interstate, to ensure you stay within your $42 budget. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; since the route is relatively short, you have the freedom to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected delays. Always check your tire pressure before leaving Ripley, as the high percentage of highway driving puts a consistent load on your vehicle.

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 137.3 miles from Ripley, MS, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.8 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 137.3 miles or 2h 48m 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 28m

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 Ripley, 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 Ripley, MS

This is one driving day of about 274.6 miles and 5h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ripley, 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 59 for about 67.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 137.3 mi from Ripley, MS · 2h 48m into the drive

Downtown Butler, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Butler, AL

137 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Bear Creek, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Butler, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 137.3 miles from Ripley, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.8 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.98 one way

$83.96 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $46.04 $92.09
premium $4.61 $49.84 $99.68
diesel $5.64 $61.01 $122.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 82.4 1 $28.83 $13.18
Efficient EV 68.7 0 $24.03 $10.98
EV Truck/SUV 109.8 1 $38.44 $17.57

Gas CO2

96 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Ripley, MS

Evening in Ripley on Sunday

Local time

8:23 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hattiesburg, MS

Evening in Hattiesburg on Sunday

Local time

8:23 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

86°F

Butler, AL

137 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

1 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 28m 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 Ripley, MS to Hattiesburg, MS covers 274.6 miles and takes about 5h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 59, US Highway 45 Aiternate, US Highway 45 Alternate. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137.3 miles from Ripley, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.98 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 is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 274.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (MS 15 / City Avenue South): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.3 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ripley, MS and Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Moselle.

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