Greenville, MS to Picayune, MS is 268.5 miles and takes about 5h 25m via Highway 49 South, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads as you head south. With a recommended one-day drive time and a reasonable fuel cost, this route is a straightforward option for getting between these two points without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
134.2 miles from Greenville, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
60.7 mi
1h 5m
North Martin Luther King Drive
46.2 mi
55m
Jerry Clower Boulevard
38.8 mi
47m
US 82
15.8 mi
19m
US 49
11.5 mi
15m
MS 182
9.2 mi
13m
US 11
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~2,710 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,827
Quietest
2 AM
~220 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greenville, MS and Picayune, MS.
1
Start on MS 814
10 ft·7 sec·South Broadway Street
2
Turn left onto Main Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
3
Turn left onto MS 182
9.2 mi·13 min·MS 182
4
Turn left onto US 82; US 278
16 mi·19 min·US 82; US 278
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn right onto US 49W
46 mi·55 min·North Martin Luther King Drive
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W
0.5 mi·53 sec·US 49W
Toward US 49 South: Jackson
7
Merge onto US 49
39 mi·47 min·Jerry Clower Boulevard
8
Take the exit onto US 49
4.9 mi·5 min·US 49
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
3.8 mi·5 min·US 49
10
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.1 mi·1 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
347 ft·4 sec·I 20; US 49
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
12
Take the exit onto US 49
0.6 mi·42 sec·US 49
Toward Hattiesburg
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
14
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 59
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward MS 43: North Picayune
20
Turn right onto MS 43
1.0 mi·1 min·Highway 43 North
21
Turn straight
496 ft·21 sec
22
Turn left onto US 11
1.5 mi·2 min·US 11
23
Turn left onto East Canal Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·East Canal Street
24
Arrive at destination
East Canal Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving Greenville in the morning allows ample time to reach Picayune before evening. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive and refuel if necessary, as the estimated fuel cost is $40. While the longest stretch is over 80 miles, the mixed highway and surface road profile suggests you'll encounter some towns and potentially more frequent exits before reaching your destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning to surface roads, as services might be less frequent.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 134.2 miles from Greenville, MS, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 miles.
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 59 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.2 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Picayune, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Greenville, 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 Greenville, MS
This is one driving day of about 268.5 miles and 5h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Greenville, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Highway 49 South for about 80.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 72.1 and 204.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
72.1 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|US 49W
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W toward US 49 South: Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 49 South: Jackson
6
121.2 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|I 20; US 49
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
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
6
121.8 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49 toward Richland, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
7
204.3 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
6
204.7 mi into trip|~4h 14m in|I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.27 one way
$74.55 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$41.70
$83.40
premium
$4.29
$45.34
$90.68
diesel
$4.80
$50.70
$101.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.6
0
$28.19
$12.89
Efficient EV
67.1
0
$23.49
$10.74
EV Truck/SUV
107.4
1
$37.59
$17.18
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Greenville, MS
Late night
in Greenville on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Picayune, MS
Late night
in Picayune on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 25m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 111.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 45% of this 268.5-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on Highway 49 South spans 80.3 miles. The profile indicates a mixed highway and surface road experience, meaning you'll transition from faster-paced highway driving to more local roads. Be prepared for potential changes in speed limits and traffic patterns as you move between these road types.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.3 mi on Highway 49 South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 72.1 miles in near US 49W.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 268.5 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: at 72.1 miles (US 49W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 121.2 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.8 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
376 ft60 ft
Total Climb
317 ft
Total Descent
383 ft
Highest Point
376 ft
~210.9 mi in
Elevation Range
316 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Greenville, MS and Picayune, MS, road signs point toward Meridian, Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast and Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Greenville is a city in Washington County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 30,000 in 2020, making it the ninth largest city in the state. It is the county seat of Washington County.
Top landmarks
•Doe's Eat Place — restaurant in Greenville, Mississippi, United States
•First National Bank of Greenville — historic building in Greenville, Mississippi
•Washington County Courthouse — Courthouse in Greenville, Mississippi
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 25m. Total distance: 268.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Picayune, MS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 72.1 miles (US 49W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 121.2 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.8 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Picayune, MS before the return drive.
