US 84 crosses Mississippi from Waynesboro in the southeast of the state to Natchez in the southwest. The largest city along the route is Laurel, where 84 passes I-59 (to Hattiesburg and Meridian).
I have travelled the easternmost stretch, from Wayne County to Laurel, during the holiday season several times. At night it is a pleasant journey, with rooftops and yards decorated in lights, manger scenes and with Santas all along the way, despite the mainly rural nature of the area.
The portion of 84 from Laurel to I-55 and US 51 (connecting Jackson in the north with McComb and Baton Rouge to the south) is a nice countryside ride as well. Sections are being expanded to four lanes and a business loop of the old highway exists as MS 184 near Brookhaven, if I recall correctly. Communities like Hot Coffee, Ora, Arbo and Wanilla are within reach for the adventuresome. Short portions of old pavement and bypassed bridges pop up occasionally, too. It's not a route to take if you are in a hurry, as small towns and mobile home traffic will slow your pace, but if a Sunday drive is in order... 84 is the way to go.
I have only been a short distance beyond I-55 into the southwest corner of Mississippi. At McComb, Us 84 takes a slight northwesterly turn, joining with US 98. 84's more natural course is taken up by MS highways 24 and 48. If memory serves, visiting the small town of Liberty if well worth driving the extra miles. MS24/48 runs thru the heart of downtown, which is still quite an active business center. |
