The drive from Saltillo, MS to Hattiesburg, MS covers 240 miles and takes about 4h 44m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 59, US Highway 45 Aiternate, US Highway 45 Alternate for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 67.8 miles on I 59.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.25 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
120 miles from Saltillo, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 240 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 44m highway drive covering 240 miles, with most of the trip on I 59 and US Highway 45 Aiternate. The longest continuous stretch is about 67.8 miles on I 59.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 1.3 miles in near MS 145.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 240 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 1.3 miles (MS 145): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.8 miles (US 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.7 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|MS 145
Turn sharp left onto MS 145
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
2.8 mi into trip|~6m in|US 45
Merge onto US 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
157.7 mi into trip|~3h 8m 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
225.4 mi into trip|~4h 22m 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
225.6 mi into trip|~4h 22m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Saltillo, MS and Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Moselle.
New Orleans
157.7 mi in|~3h 8m|via I 59
Moselle
225.4 mi in|~4h 22m
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
US 45
23.8 mi
28m
US 11
13.5 mi
19m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
North 3rd Avenue
1.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 67.8 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saltillo, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
1
Start on MS 363
500 ft·12 sec·East Mobile Street
2
Turn right onto MS 766
1.2 mi·3 min·North 3rd Avenue
3
Turn sharp left onto MS 145
1.2 mi·2 min·MS 145
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Tupelo
5
Merge onto US 45
20 mi·23 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
7
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
8
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
9
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
10
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
11
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
15
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
68 mi·1 hr 13 min·I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New OrleansUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward MoselleUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
117 ft·6 sec
Toward MoselleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Moselle-Seminary Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Moselle-Seminary Road
21
Turn straight onto US 11
13 mi·19 min·US 11
22
Turn right onto US 11
0.4 mi·50 sec·East Pine Street
23
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 120 miles from Saltillo, MS, or about 2h 24m 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 53 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120 miles or 2h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 51m
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 Saltillo, 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 Saltillo, MS
This is one driving day of about 240 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Saltillo, 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 120 mi from Saltillo, MS
· 2h 24m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 8.3
Park Closure: Partial Closure of Rocky Springs Trail
Park Closure: Temporary Blackland Prairie Trail Closure to Equestrians
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.25 one way
$72.49 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$39.79
$79.58
premium
$4.56
$43.08
$86.15
diesel
$5.61
$52.99
$105.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
2 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
EV Connect Charging Station
Tupelo, Mississippi
EV Connect
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Tupelo, Mississippi
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EV Connect: 1
ChargePoint: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72
0
$25.20
$11.52
Efficient EV
60
0
$21.00
$9.60
EV Truck/SUV
96
1
$33.60
$15.36
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Saltillo, MS
Late night
in Saltillo on Saturday
Local time
12:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hattiesburg, MS
Late night
in Hattiesburg on Saturday
Local time
12:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Meridian, MS
120 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
3 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
4h 44m 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 Saltillo, MS to Hattiesburg, MS covers 240 miles and takes about 4h 44m 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 120 miles from Saltillo, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.25 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 12 significant decision points across 240 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 1.3 miles (MS 145): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.8 miles (US 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.7 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Saltillo, MS and Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans and Moselle.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
