Guide to Moving from Gulfport to Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg sits about 70 miles north of Gulfport, an easy drive up US-49, yet it feels like a different world from the coast: a college town and regional medical hub instead of a beach city. If you are thinking about moving from Gulfport to Hattiesburg, this guide covers the route, what the city is like, how it compares with Gulfport for families, and a step-by-step plan for budgeting, hiring movers, transferring utilities and packing. Spyder Moving and Storage, which has its own office in Hattiesburg, put together the local details below.

How far is Gulfport from Hattiesburg?

Gulfport and Hattiesburg are roughly 70 miles apart by road, and most of that distance is a single highway. The direct route is US-49 north from Gulfport through Saucier, Wiggins and Brooklyn into Hattiesburg, which usually takes about an hour and a quarter without traffic. The alternative is MS-53 northwest to Poplarville and then I-59 north into Hattiesburg; it adds close to 20 miles, so it only makes sense if US-49 is blocked. Because the whole trip stays inside Mississippi and can be done in one day, movers treat it as an in-state move with same-day loading and delivery in most cases. If you are still in Gulfport, our Gulfport MS movers can load at your current home, and if you are heading the other way, our guide to moving from Hattiesburg to Biloxi covers the route down to the coast.

The table below gives a quick side-by-side look at the two cities before you decide where in Hattiesburg to look for a home.

Information about Hattiesburg

The city of Hattiesburg is the county seat of Forrest County, and part of the city extends west into Lamar County. The 2020 Census counted 48,730 residents within city limits, up from the 2010 count. The city takes its name from Hattie Hardy, wife of William H. Hardy, the civil engineer who founded it. It grew as a railroad and lumber center where several rail lines met, which earned it the nickname the Hub City, and its location at the crossroads of the Pine Belt still draws new residents.

Here are some of the most important aspects of Hattiesburg:

• Economy – Health care, education and the military lead the local job market. Forrest General Hospital, the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg Clinic and Camp Shelby are among the largest employers in Forrest County.
• Education – The University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University are both in Hattiesburg. South of the city, Camp Shelby is a major National Guard training site.
• Transportation – I-59, US-49, US-98 and US-11 all pass through or around the city. Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport in Moselle has limited commercial service, so check current routes with the airlines; Gulfport-Biloxi International stays about an hour away.

Moving your family to Gulfport vs Hattiesburg: what changes

If you are moving with kids, it helps to know how daily life in Hattiesburg compares with what you are used to on the coast. The two cities are close, but they differ in a few ways that matter to families.

Schools and colleges

In Gulfport, most children attend the Gulfport School District or the Harrison County School District. In the Hattiesburg area, the district depends on the address: the Hattiesburg Public School District serves most of the city, the Lamar County School District covers the fast-growing west side toward Oak Grove, and the Petal School District serves Petal across the Leaf River. Check the school zone of any home before you sign a lease or a purchase contract. For higher education, Hattiesburg has the edge with USM’s main campus and William Carey University, which gives the city a college-town feel. Gulfport has no university inside city limits, though USM’s Gulf Park campus is next door in Long Beach.

Cost of living and housing

Both cities are generally affordable, and everyday costs like groceries, utilities and transportation are similar. Housing is the main difference: because of the large student population and steady demand near the universities and hospitals, Hattiesburg often has slightly higher home prices than Gulfport in comparable neighborhoods. Compare current listings and rents in the areas you like before you set your budget.

Recreation

In Gulfport, family weekends revolve around the water: beaches, boating, fishing and water sports. Hattiesburg trades the coast for a historic downtown with shops, galleries and local restaurants, plus outdoor space for hiking, biking and camping at Paul B. Johnson State Park and along the Longleaf Trace rail-trail. Both cities host festivals and events throughout the year.

Climate

Both cities have hot, humid summers and mild winters. Gulfport is a little more temperate thanks to the Gulf breeze, while inland Hattiesburg tends to run slightly hotter in summer and slightly cooler in winter. Rain is plentiful in both, so plan a covered loading area and plastic wrap for mattresses on moving day.

Healthcare

Gulfport is served by Memorial Hospital at Gulfport and a range of clinics and private practices. Hattiesburg is a regional healthcare hub with two general hospitals, Forrest General and Merit Health Wesley, and a large multi-specialty group in Hattiesburg Clinic. If your family has ongoing medical needs, that larger network is a real advantage of the move north.

How should you plan for moving from Gulfport to Hattiesburg?

A short move still needs a plan. When it comes to the relocation, you will need more than just Spyder Moving and Storage Mississippi; you’ll also need to start early and stay organized. About eight weeks before the move is a comfortable time to start. Use this timeline as a checklist:

• 8 weeks out: set your budget, choose a Hattiesburg neighborhood and school zone, and request written estimates from movers;
• 6 weeks out: book your movers and any packing or storage services, and start decluttering;
• 4 weeks out: order supplies, start packing rooms you use least, and file your change of address with USPS;
• 2 weeks out: schedule utility shut-off in Gulfport and start of service in Hattiesburg, service your car and finish packing;
• Moving week: pack an essentials bag, confirm the arrival window with your movers and keep important documents with you.

How do you choose movers for the trip up US-49?

After you familiarize yourself with Hattiesburg, decide how you want to move. Will you rent a truck and do it yourself, or hire a professional moving company that offers packing and unpacking services? Whichever you choose, ask every moving company for its USDOT number and proof of insurance, and look the number up on the federal FMCSA company database before you book. Read recent reviews and ask how the company handles damage claims.

Spyder Moving and Storage is a licensed and bonded mover (USDOT 3187084) with its own crews and trucks. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in Oxford, home of our Oxford movers, and also runs offices in Hattiesburg, Memphis, Denver and Colorado Springs.

How much does it cost to move from Gulfport to Hattiesburg?

The price depends on the size of your home, the services you need and the time the job takes, so the only reliable number is a written estimate. Think about your overall budget first: the move itself, packing supplies, deposits for utilities and a new lease, and a few days of overlap between homes. If you are moving for a job, ask your employer whether it covers relocation costs.

Get written estimates from at least three companies and compare them line by line: hourly rate or flat price, the size of the crew and truck, travel time, packing materials and extra charges for stairs or heavy items. If you are comparing quotes for a longer trip as well, such as a later move up to north Mississippi with our movers in Oxford, ask for both estimates in the same format. If you plan a DIY move, price the truck rental, fuel, insurance and moving equipment before you decide it is cheaper. You can also request a free estimate from Spyder for your Gulfport to Hattiesburg move.

Transfer utilities, mail, and other services

About two weeks before you move, and before your Hattiesburg MS movers arrive, call your utility providers to schedule shut-off in Gulfport and start of service in Hattiesburg. That includes electricity, gas, water and sewer, trash, internet and any security system. Plan for these steps:

• Water, sewer and garbage: inside Hattiesburg city limits these are billed by the city’s Water Billing Office at 105 South Park Avenue (601-545-4634). The city’s water and sewer page lists the current new customer deposit and rates. Homes in Lamar County or Petal may have a different provider, so ask your landlord or agent.
• Mail: file a change of address with USPS so letters are forwarded from your Gulfport address.
• Voter registration: moving from Harrison County to Forrest or Lamar County means registering again with the circuit clerk of your new county, according to Mississippi election guidance; a change of address alone is not enough.
• Driver’s license: update the address on your Mississippi license with the Department of Public Safety, online or at a driver license station.

How do you pack for a move to Hattiesburg?

To finish moving to Hattiesburg MS without stress, start packing a few weeks before moving day. Pack room by room, starting with things you use least, such as pictures, artwork and books, and label every box with its room and contents so the crew can place it right away. Movers offer full packing services, but you can save money by packing part of the house yourself. The same system our crews use in Hattiesburg and at our Memphis moving office works for any home, and the tips below will help.

Get all the needed moving supplies

Gather supplies before you start: boxes in several sizes, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape, markers and stretch wrap for furniture. Enough boxes and padding are what keep your belongings safe on the road. Count the items you plan to take, room by room, to estimate how many boxes you need. Local Facebook Marketplace groups and grocery and liquor stores in Gulfport are good places to find free boxes.

Declutter first

A key packing hack is not to move items you no longer need. Reduce your workload by decluttering before you begin packing: decide what to keep, sell, donate or throw away. Measure your new home and leave behind furniture that won’t fit or that you won’t use.

Pack an essentials bag

On the first night in Hattiesburg you’ll probably need clothes, toiletries, medication, chargers and basic kitchen items before the boxes are open. Pack these in a bag or clearly marked box that travels with you in the car.

Use the right size boxes and don’t overpack

Put light items in bigger boxes and heavy items, such as books, in small boxes. Pack heavier items at the bottom and lighter ones on top to avoid breaking fragile items. Don’t squeeze everything into a few boxes you have lying around; use enough boxes to keep each one easy to lift, and keep even the biggest boxes under about 50 pounds.

Protect important documents

Keep important documents with you instead of in the moving truck. Scan them to secure cloud storage, then carry the originals, such as Social Security cards, passports, birth certificates, titles and financial statements, in a folder or lockbox that stays with you. If you have a gun safe or a heavy safe, ask your movers in advance how they will move it.

Before the moving day

In the last two weeks, finish packing and get your Gulfport home ready for the next owners or tenants. Here are a few tasks that are easy to forget.

Prepare your equipment

Drain fuel from lawn mowers, chainsaws, generators and other small-engine machines. Movers generally won’t load equipment that still has fuel in it.

Service your car

Have a mechanic check the tires, oil and fluids so your car is reliable for the drive up US-49 and the trips back and forth.

Finish home repairs

If there is any work left on your Gulfport home, such as touch-up paint, patching nail holes or fixing a towel rack, do it now so you aren’t rushing at the walk-through.

Moving day tips

On moving day, have one person lead the movers. That person decides what goes on the truck first, what can be loaded last, and where each box goes in the new home. Clear direction saves time, and on an hourly move, time is money. Moving quickly also means not rushing: don’t throw belongings on the truck without a plan, and check every room, closet and the garage before the truck leaves. If rain is in the forecast, ask the crew to protect mattresses and upholstered furniture.

Ready for your move to the Hub City?

With a written estimate, a timeline and the right crew, the 70-mile trip from Gulfport to Hattiesburg can be loaded and delivered in a single day. Spyder Moving and Storage has a Hattiesburg office at 602 Adeline St (601-520-8276) with its own crews and trucks for local and in-state moves, packing and storage. Call us or get a free estimate for your Gulfport to Hattiesburg move today.