Jackson, MS to Wiggins, MS is 125.9 miles and takes about 2h 35m via Highway 49 South, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward drive stays within Mississippi, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a quick trip, mostly on one main highway, making it ideal if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. Plan for a single day of travel; you'll likely arrive with plenty of time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
62.9 miles from Jackson, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
28.1 mi
33m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
MS 149
2.3 mi
4m
I 55
0.8 mi
1m
East Pascagoula Street
0.5 mi
1m
West College Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, MS and Wiggins, MS.
1
Start on East Pearl Street
443 ft·15 sec·East Pearl Street
2
Turn left onto South Lamar Street
372 ft·17 sec·South Lamar Street
3
Turn left onto East Pascagoula Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Pascagoula Street
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
6
Merge onto I 55
0.8 mi·1 min·I 55
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
9
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto US 49
26 mi·29 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto MS 149
2.3 mi·4 min·MS 149
19
Turn left onto West College Avenue
0.2 mi·25 sec·West College Avenue
20
Turn right onto South 2nd Street
306 ft·13 sec·South 2nd Street
21
Arrive at destination
South 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of this 2h 35m drive, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it suits you. Consider departing in the late morning to avoid early rush hour in Jackson and still have plenty of daylight for arrival. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $19, you won't need to worry much about frequent refueling. Keep an eye out for the transition as you move from the outskirts of Jackson onto the more open stretches of Highway 49 South.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.9 miles from Jackson, MS, or about 1h 18m 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 28 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.9 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wiggins, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jackson, 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 Jackson, MS
This is one driving day of about 125.9 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Jackson, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 97.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.2 mi into trip|~5m 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
85.7 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
7
93.8 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|US 98
Take the exit onto US 98 toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
7
97 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gu...
9
97.3 mi into trip|~2h in
Keep slight left at fork toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.01 one way
$38.03 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$20.87
$41.75
premium
$4.56
$22.60
$45.20
diesel
$5.61
$27.80
$55.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.8
0
$13.22
$6.04
Efficient EV
31.5
0
$11.02
$5.04
EV Truck/SUV
50.4
0
$17.63
$8.06
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Jackson, MS
Late night
in Jackson on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Wiggins, MS
Late night
in Wiggins on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Sumrall, MS
63 mi in
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
21 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 35m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 91% of it spent on main roads like Highway 49 South. You'll encounter the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, which is also part of US 49. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South, meaning you can settle in for a solid period of driving without many interruptions. Expect a consistent experience for most of the journey, with limited changes in road type.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 49 South and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near US 49.
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 16 significant decision points across 125.9 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 3.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.8 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jackson, MS and Wiggins, MS, road signs point toward Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile, Gulfport, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
Jackson is the capital of the state of Mississippi. While it may not offer much in terms of tourism today, Jackson can be used as a stopover for getting to other parts of the state or further.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 125.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 6 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 Wiggins, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.8 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wiggins, MS before heading back.
