Origin
Ripley, MS
Evening in Ripley on Sunday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive 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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ripley, MS
Jason Walters
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto MS 15 / City Avenue South
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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 Ripley, 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 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Ripley, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
Start on West Walnut Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Turn right onto MS 15
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 22; US 78
Take the exit
Merge onto US 45
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Take the exit
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Continue on 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
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 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
$41.98 one way
$83.96 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Ripley on Sunday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Hattiesburg on Sunday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
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
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
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Ripley, MS or browse trips ending in Hattiesburg, MS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.
Explore maps for Ripley, MS or Hattiesburg, MS on MapSof.net.