This straightforward 147.8-mile drive from Lucedale, MS, to Jackson, MS, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 1 minute. You'll primarily be on US 49, with portions of US 98 and the Lance Corporal Roy Wheat Memorial Highway also part of the journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, this highway-focused route offers a practical way to travel between these two points within Mississippi. The drive keeps you within the Southeast region, making for a consistent travel experience. It's a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
73.9 miles from Lucedale, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49
83.8 mi
1h 43m
US 98
48.3 mi
57m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
8.2 mi
8m
Main Street
5 mi
7m
South State Street
1.3 mi
2m
I 20
0.3 mi
<1m
East Pearl Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Commerce Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 49
— 83.8 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lucedale, MS and Jackson, MS.
1
Start on Commerce Street
181 ft·13 sec·Commerce Street
2
Turn left onto Summer Street
173 ft·6 sec·Summer Street
3
Turn right onto MS 198
5.0 mi·7 min·Main Street
4
Turn left onto US 98
25 mi·28 min·US 98
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 98
23 mi·26 min·US 98
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit onto US 98
0.8 mi·1 min·US 98
Toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, LaurelUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 59; US 98
8.2 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Toward US 49 North, MS 42 West: JacksonUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on US 49
1.2 mi·1 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 49; MS 42
5.4 mi·6 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 49
5.3 mi·6 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 49
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 49
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 49
4.2 mi·4 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 49
66 mi·1 hr 20 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit onto US 49
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 49
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Jackson
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
1.0 mi·1 min·US 49
18
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
0.3 mi·25 sec·I 20; I 55; US 49
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 51 North
20
Turn straight onto US 51
1.3 mi·2 min·South State Street
21
Turn left onto East Pearl Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Pearl Street
22
Arrive at destination
East Pearl Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a leisurely pace, especially since there's only one recommended stop. The fuel cost is a modest $22, so you won't need to budget heavily for gas. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during the 83.8-mile stretch on US 49, to ensure you don't need to deviate from your planned path for refueling. This direct route offers flexibility, so you can adjust your departure time as needed.
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 73.9 miles from Lucedale, MS, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.8 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 33 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.9 miles or 1h 29m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lucedale, 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 Lucedale, MS
This is one driving day of about 147.8 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Lucedale, 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 US 49 for about 83.8 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 61.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Summer Street
Turn left onto Summer Street
Navigation decision point
5
5.1 mi into trip|~7m in|US 98
Turn left onto US 98
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
52.6 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|US 98
Take the exit onto US 98 toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
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 I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
5
53.4 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|I 59; US 98 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 59; US 98 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
61.6 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 49 North, MS 42 West: Jackson
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 US 49 North, MS 42 West: Jackson
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.32 one way
$44.64 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$24.50
$49.01
premium
$4.56
$26.53
$53.06
diesel
$5.61
$32.63
$65.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.3
0
$15.52
$7.09
Efficient EV
37
0
$12.93
$5.91
EV Truck/SUV
59.1
0
$20.69
$9.46
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Lucedale, MS
Late night
in Lucedale on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jackson, MS
Late night
in Jackson on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
58°F
Sumrall, MS
74 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
1 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
3h 1m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 148.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with about 90% of the drive taking place on established highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 83.8 miles on US 49, suggesting long periods of consistent driving. While the specific road types vary slightly, including US 98 and the Lance Corporal Roy Wheat Memorial Highway, the overall character is one of steady progress on well-maintained roads. This isn't a winding, scenic byway, but rather a direct path designed for efficient travel between destinations.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.8 mi on US 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and US 98. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Summer Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 147.8 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: near the start (Summer Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles (US 98): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.6 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.
On the drive from Lucedale, MS to Jackson, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Laurel along the way.
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 3h 1m. Total distance: 147.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.8 miles on US 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Jackson, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Summer Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles (US 98): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.6 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Jackson, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
