How far is Petal, MS from Columbus, MS?
The driving distance from Petal, MS to Columbus, MS is about 176.5 miles (284.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156.2 miles (251.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 49m 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 24m.
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 Petal and Columbus.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Petal and Columbus.
-
1
Start on Morris Street
34 m · 10 sec · Morris Street
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2
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · East Central Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Highway 11
11.9 mi · 16 min · Highway 11
-
4
Turn slight left onto Moselle-Seminary Road
1962 ft · 54 sec · Moselle-Seminary Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward North I 59, Laurel
1053 ft · 26 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
67.2 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
9 mi · 11 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 45 North: Macon
1383 ft · 47 sec
-
9
Merge slight left
65.1 mi · 1 hr 14 min
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on US 45 North: Columbus, Aberdeen
3.4 mi · 4 min
-
11
Continue straight
14.3 mi · 17 min
-
12
Continue on Plymouth Bluff Access Road
95 m · 6 sec · Plymouth Bluff Access Road
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13
Take the exit right toward US 82 East, US 45 North, MS 12 East: Columbus
3.1 mi · 4 min
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14
Take the exit slight right
1116 ft · 27 sec
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15
Keep slight right
555 ft · 14 sec
-
16
Turn straight onto Main Street
1815 ft · 41 sec · Main Street
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
19 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
1551 ft · 49 sec · Main Street
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19
Turn left onto North 6th Street
52 m · 9 sec · North 6th Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 6th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Petal and Columbus.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
67.2 mi · 01h 13m
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 Petal and Sunny near Columbus.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Petal to Columbus?
The road trip is about 176.5 miles (284.1 km) and usually takes 03h 24m 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 88.4 miles from Petal and 88.2 miles from Columbus.
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 20.3 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 10:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.72 one way or $49.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Petal and Sunny near Columbus.
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 Petal and Columbus. Straight-line distance: 156.23 mi (251.43 km).
#1 Petal
Suburb city of Hattiesburg, located in Forrest County, Mississippi
| Population | 10,692 |
| Coordinates | 31.3465600, -89.2600600 |
| Altitude | 48 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbus
County seat of Lowndes County, Mississippi, United States
| Population | 23,307 |
| Coordinates | 33.4956700, -88.4272600 |
| Altitude | 66 |
| Country | United States |
End: Columbus (-88.42726, 33.49567)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 284 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 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 | $3.97 | $24.72 | $49.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.42 | $27.56 | $55.12 |
| Premium | $4.80 | $29.91 | $59.82 |
| Diesel | $6.05 | $37.70 | $75.41 |
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 22, 2026