Senior Transportation in Petal, MS: Rides With a Caregiver

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Petal, MS: the local picture

2.7%

of households have no vehicle (7.1% in Forrest County)

4.8 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Hattiesburg)

1,713

residents 65 or older (15% of Petal)

49%

of residents 65+ report a disability (47% in Forrest County)

About 109 Petal households, 2.7%, have no vehicle (7.1% in Forrest County). The Census figure covers all ages, but older adults who stop driving are a large part of it.

Hospitals with an emergency department near Petal: Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg (4.8 mi); Merit Health Wesley in Hattiesburg (8.8 mi); Perry County General Hospital in Richton (19 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

49% of residents 65 and older report a disability. If walking is hard, look for a caregiver who is comfortable with walkers and car transfers, not only a driver.

Petal compared with Forrest County and Mississippi

Census figure	Petal	Forrest County	Mississippi
Households with no vehicle	2.7%	7.1%	6.3%
Residents 65+ with a disability	49%	47%	41%
Residents 65 or older	15%	14%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	28%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	14%	15%
Residents 85 or older	1.9%	1.2%	1.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$56,833	$49,275	—

Older residents in towns around Petal

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Hattiesburg, MS	5.6 mi	6,399	9.0%
West Hattiesburg, MS	8.8 mi	709	21%
Ellisville, MS	17 mi	850	13%
Laurel, MS	24 mi	2,504	4.5%
Wiggins, MS	34 mi	598	14%
Columbia, MS	35 mi	1,375	14%

Hospitals near Petal

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Forrest General Hospital	Hattiesburg, MS	4.8 mi	2 of 5	(601) 288-7000
Merit Health Wesley	Hattiesburg, MS	8.8 mi	2 of 5	(601) 268-8000
Perry County General Hospital	Richton, MS	19 mi	not rated	(601) 788-6316
South Central Reg Med Ctr	Laurel, MS	25 mi	1 of 5	(601) 426-4000

Straight-line miles from the center of Petal. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver who drives can help with

Rides to doctor, dental and therapy appointments
Waiting during the appointment and taking notes
Grocery shopping, pharmacy and errands
Trips to church, the senior center and family

Cost

What senior transportation costs in Petal

At the Mississippi median aide wage of $11.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $994 a month in wages, which is 21% of the $4,736 monthly median income of Petal households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Mississippi has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver who drives

Giving up driving is a common reason older adults start to miss appointments and see fewer people. Before a caregiver drives, agree whose car is used, check that the auto insurance covers it, and agree a mileage rate in writing. The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center and the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can point you to free and low-cost ride programs.

Questions worth asking: May I see your license and proof of auto insurance? Will you drive your car or ours? How do you help someone with a walker in and out of the car? More in our senior transportation guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Senior Transportation in Petal: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Petal?

Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, about 4.8 mi in a straight line from the center of Petal (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (601) 288-7000. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Petal?

At the Mississippi median aide wage of $11.47 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $994 a month in wages, which is 21% of the $4,736 monthly median income of Petal households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Mississippi has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

Does Medicare pay for rides to appointments?

Original Medicare covers emergency ambulance trips, not routine rides. Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation for eligible members, and some Medicare Advantage plans include rides (Medicare.gov).

More near Petal

More senior care near Petal

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Petal

More for Petal families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Senior Transportation and Escorted Rides in Petal, MS