The drive from Jackson, MS to Carriere, MS covers 145.1 miles and takes about 2h 54m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 49 South, Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, West Union Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.91 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
72.6 miles from Jackson, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 54m. Total distance: 145.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Jackson, MS to Carriere, MS covers 145.1 miles and takes about 2h 54m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 49 South is the longest continuous segment at about 80.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 2.3 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
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 145.1 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 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4 miles (US 49 / Highway 49 South): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattie...
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
5
4 mi into trip|~7m in|US 49 / Highway 49 South
Merge onto US 49 / Highway 49 South
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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
6
86.1 mi into trip|~1h 47m 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
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 Carriere, MS, road signs point toward Gulf Coast and Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Gulf Coast
85.7 mi in|~1h 46m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
86.1 mi in|~1h 47m|via I 59
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
56.4 mi
1h
West Union Road
2.3 mi
5m
US 49
2.2 mi
3m
I 55
0.8 mi
1m
East Pascagoula Street
0.5 mi
1m
Anchor Lake Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
East Pearl Street
<0.1 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 Carriere, 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
56 mi·1 hr·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward Carriere
15
Turn right onto West Union Road
2.3 mi·5 min·West Union Road
16
At end of road, turn left onto Anchor Lake Road
511 ft·17 sec·Anchor Lake Road
17
Arrive at destination
Railroad Street
Trip Plan
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 72.6 miles from Jackson, MS, or about 1h 30m 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 32 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.6 miles or 1h 30m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carriere, 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 145.1 miles and 2h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.6 mi from Jackson, MS
· 1h 30m into the drive
The midpoint is around 72.6 miles from Jackson, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Highway 49 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.3 miles.
Arriving in Carriere, MS
The final approach into Carriere, MS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Carriere, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.91 one way
$43.83 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$24.06
$48.11
premium
$4.56
$26.04
$52.09
diesel
$5.61
$32.04
$64.07
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: 50.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.5
0
$15.24
$6.96
Efficient EV
36.3
0
$12.70
$5.80
EV Truck/SUV
58
0
$20.31
$9.29
Gas CO2
51 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 15, 2026
Origin
Jackson, MS
Afternoon
in Jackson on Thursday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Carriere, MS
Afternoon
in Carriere on Thursday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Sumrall, MS
73 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
7 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 54m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Jackson, MS to Carriere, MS covers 145.1 miles and takes about 2h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 49 South, Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, West Union Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.6 miles from Jackson, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.91 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 145.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4 miles (US 49 / Highway 49 South): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Jackson, MS and Carriere, MS, road signs point toward Gulf Coast and Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument.
