This is the return route instructions to Mobile going S.
Take I 155 just N of
Memphis to Dyersburg, TN and then on to
Jackson, TN. Go S on # 45 to Tupelo and on to
Mobile, AL.
I live just S of Memphis, TN and I have gone to GS down I 55 to
Jackson, MS to
Hattiesburg, MS and then to Mobile, AL on # 98 all my life. I recently discovered # 45. I did not know it was 4 lane to AL. It seems if you live in W Memphis it's best to take I 55. If you leave from E Memphis it's best to take # 45.
Since you are coming from St. Louis the I 155 through Dyersburg is correct. You will bypass Memphis and a lot of traffic.
When you get S of
Tupelo, MS you will go about 10 miles and see an Exit for Highway 45 S to Aberdeen and
Columbus. This is near
Shannon, MS. Do not Exit there. Continue going S on Alternate Highway 45. Follow the signs to West Point and Meridian. You don't want to go through Aberdeen and Columbus. Stay on Alternate Highway 45 S to Brooksville, MS where you will join Highway 45 and have 4 lane to the AL/MS state line.
There are not many places to stop and rest on this route. There's quite a few in Tupelo. Between Tupelo and 'West Point is very little. There's a McDonald's in West Point. There's a Holiday Inn in West Point that will let you stop to rest also. If you want to stop to eat you should do that in
Meridian, MS.
When you cross the MS/AL state line # 45 is two lane to Mobile but you have missed the traffic in Memphis, TN and Jackson, MS. It's not far from the SL to Mobile.
When you get just N of Mobile on Highway 45 take a left and go E on HIghway 158 which is Industrial Parkway. I think it will direct you towards Mobile University and
Saraland. You don't want to stay on Highway 45 to I 65 and go around Mobile, AL on the W side. This route will take you around the E side of Mobile, AL through downtown and save you 30 minutes.
The second Exit when you get on Highway 158 will be I 65. Get on I 65 and go S to Exit 9 and go S on I 165 to Downtown and Docks. I 165 will become Water Street. Continue S to I 10. Get in the left lane when you pass under I 10 and circle back W and N to get on I 10.
Another Mobile suggestion is to take Exit 1 B off I 165 on to W Rebel Road and S to Baybridge Road which is also Highway 90. Go E on Baybridge Road and cross the bridge then turn S on Highway 90 to I 10. You will get on I 10 E of the George Wallace Tunnel. Pay close attention when you get close to I 10. The intersection at Highway 90 and I 10 lookes kind of tricky to me. Just follow the I 10 E signs. This is the alternate truck route but you don't have to drive a short stretch through downtown and also through the tunnel.
I would stop in Memphis on the way S. Spend the night downtown near historic Beale Street and enjoy the music and BBQ. Head S on # 61 to Clarksdale home of the blues then visit Vicksbug, MS.
In Vicksburg you could tour the old antebellum homes and the Vicksburg National Military Park.
Have lunch/dinner @ Rusty's River Front Grill @ 901 South Washington St., Vicksburg, MS 601 - 638 -2030.
or @ Walnut Hills @ 1214 Adams Street, Vicksburg, MS 601 - 638 - 4910 for southern cooking. Head E to Jackson, MS then S to Hattiesburg and Mobile. Stop in HB at Leatha's for outstanding BBQ.
VISIT THE DELTA...... http://www.visitthedelta.com/ MS BLUES TRAIL........... http://www.msbluestrail.org/
