Interstate here (Mississippi) rural 70 you can normally get away w/75 but I would not push it much past that. Hwy 49 (you'll pick that up here in Jackson for the remaineder of your trip to the coast and it is posted at 65, except where indicated elsewhere. Watch this highway close, it is median divided 4 lane but there are A LOT of intersecting roads (and private drives), consequently there are a lot of accidents and a lot of fatalities--hwy 49 is a dangerous stretch and you will have to travel a fair distance on it--I'd say about 180 miles or so. Maintain 65 mph a little north of Wiggins, MS until you reach your destination--that's where they will get you. Remember that sheriff departments by state law here can not run radar, but hwy patrol and city police can--and do on state hwy's and interstates. Wiggins MS depends on unsuspecting travelers for additional funding!! If you have time loop through University of Southern Mississippi, located in Hattiesburg, you'll go right by it on your way, beautiful campus, a bit bias--maybe I am an alumnus. Plenty of places to eat there in that town. If I can ever afford to retire--that's where I am headed back to. 1.5 hrs from the coast and 1.5 hrs from New Orleans and 1.5 hours from Jackson--that's why it's referred to as the hub city. Man I love that town!! It suffered a lot of damage from the storm but things are much better there now. Also, while traveling through H'burg on 49 you'll go right by Hattiesburg Cycle, one of the biggest retailers in the southeast--volume seller--Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki. I have a feeling that is where I am going to have my future service work done since my bad experience w/my local dealership. Thanx for your help down here, it's greatly appreciated, that area is no where near put back together yet. I just got the rest of the tree debris out of my own yard about a month ago. Stay in touch, I'll give ya'll a FJR escort through Jackson! (This is assuming you plan on taking I55 route) If you are coming through Birmingham I65 to I20 to I59 then you will pick up hwy 49 at Hattiesburg and you will shorten hwy 49 by about 90 miles.
