Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
131.5 mi
212 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
Photo: 大 董
Stretching 131.5 miles across Mississippi, the journey from Vicksburg to Hattiesburg is a straightforward transit that typically takes 2 hours and 42 minutes. Because this is a compact drive, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You will primarily navigate via I-20 and US 49, with Highway 49 South serving as the backbone of the route. Budgeting approximately $20 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural and geographic atmosphere throughout the drive. It is an efficient, no-nonsense path that prioritizes speed and directness over detours.
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
65.7 miles from Vicksburg, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
This 131.5-mile journey is heavily highway-focused, with 97% of your time spent on major routes. You should prepare for a consistent, high-speed experience rather than a winding backroad cruise. The most significant portion of your travel involves an 80.3-mile stretch on Highway 49 South, which serves as the primary artery for the middle of your trip. As you transition from the interstate onto US 49, expect a steady pace that keeps your travel time under three hours. Because the route is so highway-dependent, you can maintain a reliable rhythm behind the wheel without frequent stops for navigation changes.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 49 South and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Cherry Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 131.5 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: near the start (Cherry Street): Navigation decision point; at 43.9 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.5 miles (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.
Turn left onto Cherry Street
Navigation decision point
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
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
Lane positioning matters here
Between Vicksburg, MS and Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward Meridian and Richland.
Meridian
Richland
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 49 South | 80.3 mi | 1h 37m |
| I 20 | 41.1 mi | 46m |
| US 49 | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Clay Street | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Old Highway 42 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| North Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Cherry Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Batson Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Vicksburg, MS and Hattiesburg, MS.
Start on Jackson Street
Turn left onto Cherry Street
Turn left onto US 80 Historic
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20; US 61; US 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 80
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 2-hour and 42-minute drive, try to depart early in the day to avoid peak traffic congestion on the major highways. Since the route is relatively short, you only need to plan for one strategic stop to break up the 131.5-mile distance. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Vicksburg, as having a $20 buffer is helpful, though you will have plenty of opportunities to refuel along the US 49 corridor. Given the high highway percentage, ensure your vehicle is well-maintained for sustained speeds. Use the inherent flexibility of this short route to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule rather than worrying about a complex multi-day itinerary.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.7 miles or 1h 18m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hattiesburg, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Vicksburg, 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 Vicksburg, MS
This is one driving day of about 131.5 miles and 2h 42m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.7 mi from Vicksburg, MS · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 65.7 miles from Vicksburg, 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
$20.10 one way
$40.21 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $22.05 | $44.10 |
| premium | $4.61 | $23.87 | $47.73 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.21 | $58.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.81 | $6.31 |
| Efficient EV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.51 | $5.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.6 | 0 | $18.41 | $8.42 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 Vicksburg on Sunday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Hattiesburg on Sunday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
66 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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