“Change of plans kids, we are going to Grand Isle and then Venice and you will like it”

Bingo, I'd like to start the week not feeling like a beat dog.

I have had good success staying at home 2 suites by Hilton. They are more recent contruction than garden inn, and there is one on Hattiesburg. Tru by Hilton is real similar but the rooms are much smaller.

Be sure to visit the site of Lincoln’s Hattiesburg address.

If you stop in Slidell turn south towards the causeway. Nicer part of town towards the water.

That was from my office in East Dallas....but I understand....everyone has a preference

We stopped in mobile a couple years ago on the way and it was fine. Felt safe the whole time and had wife and 2 kiddos. I was highly advised by a good friend to get fuel before and after Mississippi and just not stop. He made that mistake and was “asked” to leave. Now we just drive straight through. If we leave at 6am we can pull in the driveway by 6:30-7. We’ll be down 6/8-6/16 and we’ll be fishing too. We have some awesome guides down there. Shoot me a pm if you want their info.

Wes

Why would anyone on a freeway in Miss that I assume sells gas, snacks etc ask people to leave?

We head that way a few times a year.
Slidell or Daphne are my usual stops.
Slidell at La Quinta, eat at pearls.
Daphne is La Quinta and the best ever poboy I've ever had at by the bay seafood.

I'd avoid Baton Rouge and Slidell. We stopped in Baton Rouge two years ago when we made the drive to Destin. In fact if you can skip LA altogother that would be less hazardous to your health.

We stay at the Comfort Suites in Biloxi. It’s always clean and we feel safe staying there.
14001 Big Ridge Rd, Biloxi, MS 39532

I re-read the post. Not my mom for sure. My mom has been deceased a very long time and passed with me holding her hand . She was an elegant and soft spoken lady and wouldn't pose such a question to anyone. I answered the question as I read it, and my mother definitely didn't pose the question so I agree with you. Not my mother for sure. My first supposition seems accurate to me . . . prolly you.

Spanish Fort, AL Just the other side of the Mobile bay Wawi. Bunch of good hotels right there, lots to eat and makes the next morning trip to destin quick.

Started doing that because New Orleans always ruins the first 3 day of the trip, hard to control yourself there lol.

The bad thing about stopping in new Orleans is you eat some of the best food in world then it makes the destin area food seem even worse than what it is which is pretty bad to begin with

Biloxi and then hit Bozo’s market and order from the window. You wont be disappointed

Didn't read past the first page, so I'm sorry if I haven't considered all of the responses. When the bride and I took the RV (and I don't know if you're in an RV; apologies if you aren't) to the Florida Keys we stayed at the RV park at the Menge flea market in Pass Christian, Mississippi, both coming and going. It's right off of IH-10, it's quiet (caveat -- never been there during the weekend flea market), and they have a pond on the property that yielded a big mess of bream and largemouth bass to my two weight fly rod, and the bride's ultralight spinning outfit (all catch and release). We really enjoyed staying there. It was very laid back and, in spite of being right on IH-10, felt very quiet and secluded. And there's a couple of convenience stores right at the entrance.