How far is Starkville, MS from Petal, MS?
The driving distance from Starkville, MS to Petal, MS is about 183.7 miles (295.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 147.6 miles (237.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 36m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Suburb town of Meridian, located in Lauderdale County, Mississippi
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Starkville and Petal.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Starkville and Petal.
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1
Start on the route
88 m · 27 sec
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2
Turn left
65 m · 16 sec
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3
Continue on Victory Lane
869 ft · 38 sec · Victory Lane
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4
Continue on Eckford Drive
782 ft · 36 sec · Eckford Drive
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5
Turn right onto MS 12
1.8 mi · 3 min · MS 12
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6
Turn slight right onto MS 182 East
869 ft · 32 sec
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7
Turn straight onto Martin Luther King, Junior Drive East
1.4 km · 2 min · Martin Luther King, Junior Drive East
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8
Continue on Highway 182 East
1 mi · 2 min · Highway 182 East
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9
Take the ramp slight right toward US 82 East, MS 12 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West Point
1692 ft · 41 sec
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10
Merge slight left
5.9 mi · 6 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 45 Alternate South: Meridian
2253 ft · 55 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto US Highway 45 Alternate
18.4 mi · 22 min · US Highway 45 Alternate
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13
Continue on US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US Highway 45 Aiternate
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14
Keep slight right
3.9 mi · 4 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
2689 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left
6.3 mi · 8 min
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17
Continue straight
1.8 mi · 2 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
67.8 mi · 1 hr 14 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Moselle
760 ft · 22 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Moselle
36 m · 6 sec
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21
Turn left onto Moselle-Seminary Road
2923 ft · 1 min · Moselle-Seminary Road
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22
Turn straight
11.8 mi · 16 min
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23
Turn slight left
109 m · 17 sec
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24
Turn left onto West Central Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · West Central Avenue
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25
Turn right onto Morris Street
34 m · 3 sec · Morris Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Morris Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Starkville and Petal.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 59 South
Keep slight left to continue on I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
67.8 mi · 01h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Starkville and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Petal.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Starkville to Petal?
The road trip is about 183.7 miles (295.6 km) and usually takes 03h 36m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Marion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92 miles from Starkville and 91.7 miles from Petal.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 147.6 miles (237.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.54 one way or $49.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Starkville and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Petal.
Stop Ideas Near Marion
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Marion.
Union Station
Laurel station
Thomasville, AL
Grove Hill, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Starkville and Petal. Straight-line distance: 147.62 mi (237.57 km).
#1 Starkville
City in Mississippi
| Population | 25,540 |
| Coordinates | 33.4504900, -88.8196100 |
| Altitude | 101 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Petal
Suburb city of Hattiesburg, located in Forrest County, Mississippi
| Population | 10,692 |
| Coordinates | 31.3465600, -89.2600600 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
End: Petal (-89.26006, 31.34656)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 296 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $24.54 | $49.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $27.60 | $55.20 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $29.97 | $59.94 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $35.09 | $70.18 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Mississippi · Apr 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.