I-55 Jackson to Hammond LA (Hattiesburg, Moss Point: how much, hotels, restaurant)

[loves2read]

We are making drive from DFW TX area to south of Sarasota FL this summer...
we have driven to central/gulf FL in past and usually gone I-20 through Jackson to Birmingham then south through Hattiesburg into FL

my husband is considering going to Shreveport then south on I-49 to Baton Rouge and catching I-10 for most of the trip

the farther east I check on the map for stopping points the more Google Maps using the north route--
like if I calculate Dallas to Pensacola--Google routes through Birmingham then through Hattiesburge to Pensacola...
so I know it is likely shorter in miles but my husband think the south route is likely to have better highways

just wondered if anyone has driven from Jackson south to Hammond recently and what state I-55 is in
That might be an option since the south drop is pretty straight to I-10--no backtracking even if you aren't making any forward progress...

since we will have dog and cat we know we will be stopping at least once overnight
and want route that will give us some options for decent stopping points to walk dog
prefer some rest stops that are more park like than a truck stop

so any suggestions for those on I-55 would be helpful as well

[annie_himself]

I made this trip a couple months ago, I-55 is in decent condition. I would say it's only slightly better than I-49.

[JacksonPanther]

Please check your maps again. Taking I55 from Jackson to I10 does indeed cause you to go "backwards." Do not take this route. Also, no route should take you through Birmingham, as that is WAY out of the way - perhaps you meant Mobile, AL?

The preferred trip according to Google Maps is I20 to Jackson, then US49 to Hattiesburg, then US98 to Mobile, AL and I10. I've made this drive several times, with some modifications (dropping down from US98 to MS63 to Moss Point and I10). It's well marked and easy.

Taking I49 from Shreveport to I10 adds almost 50 miles to your trip, but is fine if you want to stay on interstates only. Moss Point, MS or Pensacola, FL would be good halfway points to stop overnight.

[GrandviewGloria]

Since we moved up here, we've not driven down that way. But at the time of our move, the leg of I55 between Hammond and the Mississippi State Line was so horrible we'd finally quit going down that way. I mean, if you valued your car's suspension system and tires, you faced risking getting rear-ended going really slow, or driving in the somewhat-less-destroyed lefthand lane - or simply tearing up your car on the surreal bumps and potholes. A lot of people started going to New Orleans using longer, alternate routes, like down to Hattiesburg, then over on 10, via Slidell, because I10 is not as torn-up. And a lot of people just got out of the habit of going to Louisiana on weekends, because the damage to their cars was just not worth it.

Anyway, I10 is prettier, and the pullovers/rest areas are nicer, to impress the "tourists" headed to the beach.

Does anybody know if they've really repaired the Louisiana portion of I55?

If you weren't dragging dogs along with you, I'd recommend Madison and Hattiesburg Mississippi (depending on your route) as stopping points. Both offer well-developed interstate-adjacent areas, full of better fast food options, hotels, motels, shopping... But having never been a pet owner, I have no clue how much of that would be impractical/inaccessible for someone with dogs.

[Listener2307]

Originally Posted by GrandviewGloria

............Anyway, I10 is prettier, and the pullovers/rest areas are nicer, to impress the "tourists" headed to the beach..........

And THAT's th troof!

.....my husband is considering going to Shreveport then south on I-49 to Baton Rouge and catching I-10 for most of the trip...

I've made that trip many times, and that's the right way to go. Depending on exactly where you are going/coming from I get 1203.81 miles using my truckers software.

PS:
Get your camera ready for the bridge over the Mississippi at Baton Rouge. That is one tall bridge!
Once you get past Mobile, you can FLY on those freeways.....

[loves2read]

Thanks for the I55 info
Insight I hoped to get

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by GrandviewGloria

Since we moved up here, we've not driven down that way. But at the time of our move, the leg of I55 between Hammond and the Mississippi State Line was so horrible we'd finally quit going down that way. I mean, if you valued your car's suspension system and tires, you faced risking getting rear-ended going really slow, or driving in the somewhat-less-destroyed lefthand lane - or simply tearing up your car on the surreal bumps and potholes. A lot of people started going to New Orleans using longer, alternate routes, like down to Hattiesburg, then over on 10, via Slidell, because I10 is not as torn-up. And a lot of people just got out of the habit of going to Louisiana on weekends, because the damage to their cars was just not worth it.

Anyway, I10 is prettier, and the pullovers/rest areas are nicer, to impress the "tourists" headed to the beach.

Does anybody know if they've really repaired the Louisiana portion of I55?

If you weren't dragging dogs along with you, I'd recommend Madison and Hattiesburg Mississippi (depending on your route) as stopping points. Both offer well-developed interstate-adjacent areas, full of better fast food options, hotels, motels, shopping... But having never been a pet owner, I have no clue how much of that would be impractical/inaccessible for someone with dogs.

I just took that route from New Orleans to Little Rock and that stretch was fine, it's not brand new but it's better than I-49 (took that from Baton Rouge to Ruston).

[Mouldy Old Schmo]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

I just took that route from New Orleans to Little Rock and that stretch was fine, it's not brand new but it's better than I-49 (took that from Baton Rouge to Ruston).

Interstate 49 doesn't go to Baton Rouge or Ruston. Ruston is on Interstate 20. BR is on Interstates 10 and 12.

[Robert_J]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

I just took that route from New Orleans to Little Rock and that stretch was fine, it's not brand new but it's better than I-49 (took that from Baton Rouge to Ruston).

I took I-55 as part of our NOLA trip back in May. Nothing wrong with the road and you have a chance to stop at We're with you through Thick or Thin!*|* Middendorf's Seafood Restaurant Even if you take I-10, it's only 15 miles north of the I-10/I-55 interchange and worth the drive. The best gumbo I have ever eaten.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by Mouldy Old Schmo

Interstate 49 doesn't go to Baton Rouge or Ruston. Ruston is on Interstate 20. BR is on Interstates 10 and 12.

I took Hwy 190 to I-49 and then took Hwy 167 to Ruston. I'm pretty sure I know my state.