Drive Time
4h 49m
Distance
224.3 mi
361 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
Photo: 大 董
Spanning 224.3 miles, this drive from Shelby to Hattiesburg takes approximately 4 hours and 49 minutes to complete. Because the trip is relatively straightforward, it works perfectly as a one-day excursion through the Southeast region of Mississippi. You should budget about $34 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating this route primarily involves Highway 49 South, though you will also transition through North Martin Luther King Drive and Jerry Clower Boulevard. It is a practical, highway-focused journey that connects the northern and southern parts of the state without requiring an overnight stay.
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
112.2 miles from Shelby, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Expect a drive defined by steady highway travel, as 61% of your journey stays on major routes. The experience is anchored by a significant 80.3-mile stretch along Highway 49 South, which serves as the backbone of your trip. While you will encounter some variation when navigating local roads like Jerry Clower Boulevard, the route maintains a consistent, highway-forward personality throughout. You won't find yourself dealing with overly technical terrain, making it a predictable experience for those who prefer straightforward driving. Overall, the road feels functional and efficient, allowing you to maintain a steady pace across the Mississippi landscape.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 49 South and North Martin Luther King Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Martin L King Jr Boulevard.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 224.3 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 0.3 miles (Martin L King Jr Boulevard): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 87.6 miles (US 49W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 136.7 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto Martin L King Jr Boulevard
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W toward US 49 South: Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49 toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49 toward Richland, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto US 49 / Highway 49 South
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Between Shelby, MS and Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward Meridian and Richland.
Meridian
Richland
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 49 South | 80.3 mi | 1h 37m |
| North Martin Luther King Drive | 46.2 mi | 55m |
| Jerry Clower Boulevard | 38.8 mi | 47m |
| US 61 | 25.3 mi | 33m |
| MS 448 | 13.5 mi | 23m |
| US 49 | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| Old Highway 42 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| North Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Shelby, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
Start on MS 161
Turn right onto East 2nd Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Martin L King Jr Boulevard
Continue on East School Avenue
Continue on Parchman Road
Turn right onto US 61; US 278
Turn left onto MS 448
Turn right onto MS 448
Turn left onto US 82
Turn right onto US 49W
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W
Merge onto US 49
Take the exit onto US 49
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
Take the exit onto US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Merge onto US 49
Continue on US 49; MS 42
Continue on US 49; MS 42
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
Turn right onto North Main Street
Turn left onto Batson Street
Turn right
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 4-hour and 49-minute travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the longest uninterrupted segment is 80.3 miles, try to time your break shortly after clearing that stretch to keep your focus sharp. Departing early in the day is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach Hattiesburg with plenty of daylight remaining. Keep in mind that with a $34 fuel budget, it is wise to monitor your consumption levels before starting your trek. Because this is a single-day trip, feel free to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule, as the route offers enough flexibility for a morning or early afternoon start.
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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.2 miles or 2h 27m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hattiesburg, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Shelby, 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 Shelby, MS
This is one driving day of about 224.3 miles and 4h 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 112.2 mi from Shelby, MS · 2h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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 112.2 miles from Shelby, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Highway 49 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.3 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
$34.29 one way
$68.58 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $37.61 | $75.22 |
| premium | $4.61 | $40.71 | $81.42 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $49.83 | $99.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.55 | $10.77 |
| Efficient EV | 56.1 | 0 | $19.63 | $8.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.7 | 1 | $31.40 | $14.36 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Shelby on Sunday
Local time
5:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Hattiesburg on Sunday
Local time
5:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
112 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.
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