The drive from Jackson, MS to Nicholson, MS covers 153.2 miles and takes about 3h 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, US 49 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 $23.14 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
76.6 miles from Jackson, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 153.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (55%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Jackson, MS to Nicholson, MS covers 153.2 miles and takes about 3h, 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 18 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 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 13 significant decision points across 153.2 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 85.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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
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
7
152.6 mi into trip|~2h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 11, MS 607: NASA John C. Stennis Space Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 11, MS 607: NASA John C. Stennis Spac...
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 Nicholson, 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
66.4 mi
1h 11m
US 49
2.2 mi
3m
I 55
0.8 mi
1m
East Pascagoula Street
0.5 mi
1m
US 11
0.5 mi
<1m
East Pearl Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Jackson Landing Road
<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 Nicholson, 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
66 mi·1 hr 11 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 11, MS 607: NASA John C. Stennis Space Center
15
Keep slight right at fork
92 ft·3 sec
Toward US 11, MS 607: NASA John C. Stennis Space Center
16
Turn right onto US 11
0.5 mi·47 sec·US 11
17
Turn left onto Jackson Landing Road
374 ft·10 sec·Jackson Landing Road
18
Arrive at destination
Jackson Landing Road
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 76.6 miles from Jackson, MS, or about 1h 35m 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 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.6 miles or 1h 35m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nicholson, 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 153.2 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 76.6 mi from Jackson, MS
· 1h 35m into the drive
The midpoint is around 76.6 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 Nicholson, MS
The final approach into Nicholson, 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 Nicholson, 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
$23.14 one way
$46.27 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$25.40
$50.80
premium
$4.56
$27.50
$55.00
diesel
$5.61
$33.82
$67.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 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
46
0
$16.09
$7.35
Efficient EV
38.3
0
$13.40
$6.13
EV Truck/SUV
61.3
0
$21.45
$9.80
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nicholson, MS
Afternoon
in Nicholson on Thursday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Sumrall, MS
77 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
2 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 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 Nicholson, MS covers 153.2 miles and takes about 3h 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, US 49. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.6 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 $23.14 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 13 significant decision points across 153.2 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 85.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Jackson, MS and Nicholson, MS, road signs point toward Gulf Coast and Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument.
