Major city · United States
HattiesburgHattiesburg, Mississippi
Give Hattiesburg one night, not three: a car-based stop for downtown, the military museums and the Longleaf Trace, between New Orleans and Jackson.
Hattiesburg is a small Mississippi city on I-59, roughly midway between New Orleans and Meridian, built around the University of Southern Mississippi. Sights sit in two clusters — historic downtown and the USM/Hardy Street strip — and public buses are limited, so a car decides how much you see. One night covers downtown, one museum and a meal; two nights add Camp Shelby or the Longleaf Trace.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (heat and humidity), late Aug–Oct (Atlantic hurricane season)
- Airports
- PIB · GPT · JAN · MSY · MOB
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Hattiesburg911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison control (US)1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Hattiesburg, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyHattiesburg is a normal small US city: use the same street sense you would anywhere, keep valuables out of sight in parked cars…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 1-800-222-1222 Poison control (US)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckPIB Laurel-Hattiesburg Regional Airport (Small field with limited United service; check current routes before booking.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: sights are spread over several km and buses are limited.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner main$16–30
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich or plate lunch$10–16
- BeerDraught beer in a pub$5–8
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryFree–$10
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$110
- Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PIB Laurel-Hattiesburg Regional Airport (Small field with limited United service; check current routes before booking.) · GPT Gulfport-Biloxi International (About 1 h 20 min by car on US-49; the nearest full-service airport.) · JAN Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (About 1 h 30 min by car on US-49.) · MSY New Orleans Louis Armstrong (About 1 h 45 min by car on I-59.) · MOB Mobile Regional (About 2 h by car on US-98.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid*
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Care
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Dec
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Best: Mar–May, Nov. Mixed: Oct. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Oct (6). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Hattiesburg: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Feb
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Nov
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Dec
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: sights are spread over several km and buses are limited. Hub City Transit runs four fixed routes in the downtown area, roughly hourly, about 6:00–18:30; the fare is 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for seniors and children from age 5 to high school. Amtrak's Crescent stops at 308 Newman St, just southwest of downtown.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gulfport
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
US-49 south by car
Gulf beaches and a bigger airport; pair with Biloxi.
Door to door: About 1 h 45 min
I-59 to US-49, or US-98 east by car
Casinos, seafood and the coast; better as an overnight than a return day.
Ocean Springs
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 50 min
I-59 to US-49 then I-10 east by car
Walkable downtown and art; long for a same-day return.
Collins
skipDoor to door: About 40 min
US-49 north by car
Small town on the route to Jackson; no reason to detour.
Paul B. Johnson State Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min
US-49 south to Geiger Lake Rd by car
Lake swimming, boating and a pine campground; $2 per person entry.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Hattiesburg
Walkable to Front Street, the Pocket Museum and the Saenger; few beds, so book early.
Hardy Street / USM
Chain hotels and the densest restaurant strip; Hub City Transit route 1 links it to the Amtrak station.
I-59 and US-49 exits
Highway motels with free parking; you will drive to everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 | US$70 |
| Fuel, about 150 km of driving1 × US$15 | US$15 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$48 |
| Trip total≈ US$262 per person per day, bed included | US$523 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Deli sandwich or plate lunch | $10–16 |
| Sit-down dinner main | $16–30 |
| Draught beer in a pub | $5–8 |
| Museum entry | Free–$10 |
| Rideshare, downtown to Hardy Street | $10–16 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat and humidity are serious: carry water and plan indoor stops midday.
- Hurricane season runs roughly June–November; check forecasts and evacuation routes if you are driving the coast.
- Camp Shelby visitors over 16 need a valid photo ID at the gate.
- Some small museums keep short or seasonal hours: check before you drive out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Poison control (US)
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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HattiesburgHattiesburg, Mississippi
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison control (US)1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies here; consulates sit in New Orleans, Houston and Atlanta. US passport services: check the nearest post office or the New Orleans passport agency.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Hub City Transit single ride: 50 cents adult, 25 cents senior or child, exact change
- Amtrak Crescent, Hattiesburg → New Orleans: reserved coach, about 2 h
- Rideshare, downtown → USM: $10–16
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- The check, please — The check, please
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Hattiesburg. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (heat and humidity), late Aug–Oct (Atlantic hurricane season) · month by month →
- 5 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PIB, GPT and JAN: last connections, drive times and a motel fallback.
- Three walking clusters with anchors: downtown and Front Street, USM and Hardy Street, Camp Shelby.
- Place pages with verified hours for the Saenger, the African American Military History Museum and the Armed Forces Museum.
- Hurricane and heat fixtures so coastal arrivals can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Hattiesburg
- officialHattiesburg Convention Commission
- officialAmtrak — Hattiesburg station
- officialMississippi Armed Forces Museum
- officialHattiesburg Zoo
- officialLongleaf Trace
- officialPaul B. Johnson State Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Hattiesburg, revision 5243775 (CC BY-SA 4.0)