Drive Time
2h 12m
Distance
102.9 mi
166 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
Photo: 大 董
Traveling from Petal to Madison covers a straightforward 102.9-mile journey across Mississippi. You can easily complete this drive in about 2 hours and 12 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $16 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way trek. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent regional atmosphere throughout the trip. Navigating primarily via US 49, I-55, and US 51, you will find this to be a highly efficient way to move between these two points. It is a practical, no-nonsense route for those looking to reach their destination quickly without unnecessary detours.
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
51.5 miles from Petal, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on US 49, which accounts for the longest single stretch of your journey at 84.7 miles. Because the route relies so heavily on high-speed infrastructure, you can expect a consistent, fast-paced experience behind the wheel. The transition between US 49 and the I-55/US 51 corridors keeps the drive moving efficiently toward your destination. You won't find many technical turns here, just a reliable path that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity across the state.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Central Avenue.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 102.9 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: near the start (East Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 87.7 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 88.4 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49 toward Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward US 51 North: Ridgeland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto Depot Drive
Navigation decision point
On the drive from Petal, MS to Madison, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Jackson
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 49 | 84.7 mi | 1h 44m |
| I 55 | 8.3 mi | 10m |
| US 51 | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Old Highway 42 | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| East Central Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| US 11 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| I-55 North Frontage Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Petal, MS and Madison, MS.
Start on Morris Street
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
Turn slight left onto US 11
Turn straight
Continue on Old Highway 42
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto US 49
Continue on US 49; MS 42
Continue on US 49
Continue on US 49
Continue on US 49
Continue on US 49
Take the exit onto US 49
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Merge onto I 55
Take the exit
Continue on I-55 North Frontage Road
Turn straight onto US 51
Turn left onto Main Street
Turn right onto Depot Drive
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 12-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aiming to leave outside of peak traffic hours will help you maintain a smoother pace as you transition onto the interstate sections. Since the entire 102.9-mile trip is manageable in a single stint, you likely won't need to plan for formal rest breaks unless you prefer them. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting, as the $16 estimated cost is based on steady highway driving conditions. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert during the transition from US 49 to I-55, as traffic patterns can shift quickly near the major junctions.
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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.5 miles or 1h 6m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Petal, 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 Petal, MS
This is one driving day of about 102.9 miles and 2h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.5 mi from Petal, MS · 1h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 51.5 miles from Petal, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.7 miles.
The final approach into Madison, 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 Madison, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$15.73 one way
$31.46 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $17.25 | $34.51 |
| premium | $4.61 | $18.68 | $37.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $22.86 | $45.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.9 | 0 | $10.80 | $4.94 |
| Efficient EV | 25.7 | 0 | $9.00 | $4.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.2 | 0 | $14.41 | $6.59 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Petal on Sunday
Local time
2:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Madison on Sunday
Local time
2:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
51 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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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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