Fayetteville to Destin --Need a stopping point

[SnelSooie]

So I am heading out to Destin on Wednesday night and I need a place to stop and rest for a few hours. Here's the kicker, I have a fantasy draft at 9pm Wednesday night (which is important) then I will be getting on the road around 10 and want to drive about 4 hours and then find a nice place to sleep for a little bit before picking back up in the morning.

This will decide which way I take. I have two options: Drive to Memphis and stay the night and head south on 55 from there. Or go a few hours south of LR to Pine Bluff area and that route.

What's my best option and are there any decent places to stay south of LR?

[Boarcephus]

If I was going to Destin l wouldn't go through Memphis to get there. 

If you're not leaving Fayetteville till around 10, that throws you in LR around 1 am.  There's no place south to get a decent room until you hit Jackson or east till you hit Memphis if that's the route you take.   You're about 9 hours out of Destin from LR going south.

[PharmacistHog]

If I was going to Destin l wouldn't go through Memphis to get there. 

If you're not leaving Fayetteville till around 10, that throws you in LR around 1 am.  There's no place south to get a decent room until you hit Jackson or east till you hit Memphis if that's the route you take.   You're about 9 hours out of Destin from LR going south.

Vicksburg?

[Boarcephus]

Vicksburg?

I stand corrrected.  The times we've left after work we've been staying just this side of Jackson.  There is a nice Holiday Inn Express that we can get a gov't rate that makes it very nice.  Very clean, easy access to the interstate and better yet, well lit.

[PharmacistHog]

I stand corrrected.  The times we've left after work we've been staying just this side of Jackson.  There is a nice Holiday Inn Express that we can get a gov't rate that makes it very nice.  Very clean, easy access to the interstate and better yet, well lit.

I've never actually stayed in Vicksburg, but it just seems like it might be a little better than Jackson, even.  You can take the wrong turn in Jackson and it will be like National Lampoons Vacation with the Rib Tips, and Honky Lips and the whole nine yards. 

[Tripod1]

Why not catch a few hours sleep at home and then hit the road 2-3 in the morning?  Of course I'm just cheap enough to not want to pay motel cost for just a few hours sleep.

[SnelSooie]

Pregnant wife. Need to break it up, even it is just a few hours down the road. We'll probably end up finding somewhere in south LR. Thank you!

[Boarcephus]

I've never actually stayed in Vicksburg, but it just seems like it might be a little better than Jackson, even.  You can take the wrong turn in Jackson and it will be like National Lampoons Vacation with the Rib Tips, and Honky Lips and the whole nine yards. 

We've stayed in Vicksburg a time or two but it's easier for us to drive the extra 20 minutes and stay in Clinton, which is just this side of Jackson.  As I said, the place we stay is just off I-20, easy access and well lit.  Vicksburg is just not as easy.

If we're able to get away by noon we make it to Hattiesburg around 8 or so but if we can't get away till after work, we'll hit Clinton by around 10.  Either way, we're sitting ar Harbor Docks for lunch at 11:00 the next day.

[PharmacistHog]

We've stayed in Vicksburg a time or two but it's easier for us to drive the extra 20 minutes and stay in Clinton, which is just this side of Jackson.  As I said, the place we stay is just off I-20, easy access and well lit.  Vicksburg is just not as easy.

If we're able to get away by noon we make it to Hattiesburg around 8 or so but if we can't get away till after work, we'll hit Clinton by around 10.  Either way, we're sitting ar Harbor Docks for lunch at 11:00 the next day.

We went two weeks ago (leaving from LR).  I left at 830am and let the wife and boys sleep all night and I drove all the way through.  Drove into Fort Walton at 6:00.