Drive Time
1h 28m
Distance
78.8 mi
127 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Photo: Omar Tapia
Traveling from McComb to Jackson, Mississippi, is a straightforward 78.8-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 28 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach the state capital with ease and minimal stress. You should budget approximately $12 for fuel to complete the drive. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Mississippi, you will experience a consistent regional atmosphere throughout the trip. Because the journey is relatively short, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics, making it an ideal choice for a quick business trip or a day of errands. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that gets you where you need to be efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
39.4 miles from McComb, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 92% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your commute—a solid 72.7 miles—cruising along I-55, which provides a fast, consistent pace. The remaining portion of the drive incorporates Smithdale Road and South State Street as you navigate toward your destination. Expect a functional, interstate-heavy experience rather than a winding scenic tour. The transition from the rural stretches of McComb to the more developed areas near Jackson happens smoothly as you move off the interstate and onto local roads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and South State Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Front Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 28m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (State Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 51 / North Broadway Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto North Front Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto State Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 51 / North Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 51 / West Georgia Avenue
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto US 51 / South State Street toward US 51 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 72.7 mi | 1h 17m |
| South State Street | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Smithdale Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Jackson Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Northwest Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Broadway Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Georgia Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Mississippi Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between McComb, MS and Jackson, MS.
Start on Main Street
Turn left onto North Front Street
Turn left onto State Street
Turn right onto US 51
Turn left onto US 51
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Turn left onto MS 570
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 55; US 98
Keep slight left at fork onto US 51
Turn left onto East Pearl Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 1-hour and 28-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility when choosing your departure time. Since there are no mandatory stops required to complete the 78.8-mile distance, you can easily drive the entire stretch in one go without fatigue. However, keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving McComb to ensure you stay within your $12 budget for the trip. If you prefer to avoid heavy traffic when entering Jackson, try to time your arrival to steer clear of typical morning or evening rush hours. Because this is such a quick drive, you have the advantage of being able to head out on short notice without extensive pre-trip planning.
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.
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 78.8 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.4 miles or 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving McComb, 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 McComb, MS
This is one driving day of about 78.8 miles and 1h 28m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.4 mi from McComb, MS · 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 78.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 39.4 miles from McComb, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.7 miles.
The final approach into Jackson, 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 Jackson, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$12.05 one way
$24.09 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $13.21 | $26.43 |
| premium | $4.61 | $14.30 | $28.60 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.51 | $35.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.27 | $3.78 |
| Efficient EV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.90 | $3.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.03 | $5.04 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in McComb on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
39 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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