By 1928, what would become MS 24 existed as gravel or unimproved roads. MS 24 was designated by 1932 to run from Fort Adams east to MS 63 north of Leakesville; the road went east to McComb before passing through Tylertown, Columbia, Hattiesburg, and New Augusta. At this time, the entire highway was gravel. In 1935, a portion of the road west of Tylertown was paved. A small portion of the road between McCallum and New Augusta was paved a year later. Paving was completed on a part of the highway east of Tylertown in 1939. In 1940, the portions of MS 24 between Foxworth and Columbia and between Beaumont and McLain were paved. That same year, new alignments for the highway were under construction between McComb and Tylertown, from US 49 south of Hattiesburg to Beaumont, and from McLain to Leakesville. In addition, construction was underway to upgrade MS 24 between Columbia and Hattiesburg.