How far is Columbus, MS from Petal, MS?
The driving distance from Columbus, MS to Petal, MS is about 176.7 miles (284.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156.2 miles (251.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 25m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Suburb town of Meridian, located in Lauderdale County, Mississippi
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbus and Petal.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus and Petal.
-
1
Start on North 6th Street
37 m · 9 sec · North 6th Street
-
2
Turn right onto Main Street
1545 ft · 42 sec · Main Street
-
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
18 m · 1 sec · Main Street
-
4
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
3121 ft · 1 min · Main Street
-
5
Take the ramp slight left
1238 ft · 30 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
2.8 mi · 3 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward US 45 South: Macon, Meridian
1011 ft · 43 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on US 45 South: Macon, Meridian
41 m · 8 sec
-
9
Turn left
14.5 mi · 17 min
-
10
Continue straight
64.3 mi · 1 hr 14 min
-
11
Keep slight right
3.9 mi · 4 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
2689 ft · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left
6.3 mi · 8 min
-
14
Continue straight
1.8 mi · 2 min
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
67.8 mi · 1 hr 14 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward Moselle
760 ft · 22 sec
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on Moselle
36 m · 6 sec
-
18
Turn left onto Moselle-Seminary Road
2923 ft · 1 min · Moselle-Seminary Road
-
19
Turn straight
11.8 mi · 16 min
-
20
Turn slight left
109 m · 17 sec
-
21
Turn left onto West Central Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · West Central Avenue
-
22
Turn right onto Morris Street
34 m · 3 sec · Morris Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Morris Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbus and Petal.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 59 South
Keep slight left to continue on I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
67.8 mi · 01h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Columbus and Sunny near Petal.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbus to Petal?
The road trip is about 176.7 miles (284.4 km) and usually takes 03h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Marion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.5 miles from Columbus and 88.2 miles from Petal.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156.2 miles (251.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.84 one way or $49.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbus and Sunny near Petal.
Stop Ideas Near Marion
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Marion.
Union Station
Laurel station
Thomasville, AL
Grove Hill, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbus and Petal. Straight-line distance: 156.23 mi (251.43 km).
#1 Columbus
County seat of Lowndes County, Mississippi, United States
| Population | 23,307 |
| Coordinates | 33.4956700, -88.4272600 |
| Altitude | 66 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Petal
Suburb city of Hattiesburg, located in Forrest County, Mississippi
| Population | 10,692 |
| Coordinates | 31.3465600, -89.2600600 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
End: Petal (-89.26006, 31.34656)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 284 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.98 | $24.84 | $49.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.66 | $55.31 |
| Premium | $4.82 | $30.10 | $60.20 |
| Diesel | $6.06 | $37.80 | $75.60 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Mississippi · Sep 23, 2026