Ackerman, MS to West Gulfport, MS is 233.3 miles and takes about 4h 54m via I 59 and US 49, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a fairly straightforward drive for a single day, with the majority of your travel on major highways. It's a practical route for getting from point A to point B within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
116.7 miles from Ackerman, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 59
88.7 mi
1h 36m
US 49
59.9 mi
1h 12m
MS 15
37.8 mi
55m
Holland Avenue
36.6 mi
54m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
Pecan Avenue
1.9 mi
2m
I 20
1.6 mi
1m
County Road 561
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 88.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Traffic on I-59
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~969 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,202
Quietest
1 AM
~89 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ackerman, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on South Louisville Street
115 ft·10 sec·South Louisville Street
2
Turn left onto West Main Avenue
0.2 mi·38 sec·West Main Avenue
3
Turn left onto MS 15
16 mi·22 min·MS 15
4
Take the exit onto MS 15
22 mi·33 min·MS 15
5
Turn left onto County Road 561
1.3 mi·1 min·County Road 561
6
Turn straight onto Pecan Avenue
1.9 mi·2 min·Pecan Avenue
7
Turn left onto MS 16; MS 19
0.1 mi·15 sec·Main Street
8
Turn right onto MS 19
37 mi·54 min·Holland Avenue
9
Turn right onto MS 19
1.1 mi·1 min·Airport Boulevard
10
Turn right onto North Frontage Road
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Frontage Road
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Merge onto I 20; I 59; US 80
1.6 mi·1 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
89 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New OrleansUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
20
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 54m drive, consider leaving Ackerman, MS early in the morning to avoid any potential traffic. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility in when you stop. With 233.3 miles to cover and a fuel cost estimated at $34, plan for at least one fuel stop, especially since the longest continuous stretch on I 59 is nearly 89 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition off the main highways in the latter part of the drive.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 116.7 miles from Ackerman, MS, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 51 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.7 miles or 2h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ackerman, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ackerman, MS
This is one driving day of about 233.3 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Ackerman, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 59 for about 88.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 81 and 173.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
81 mi into trip|~2h in|I 59
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
7
169.7 mi into trip|~3h 36m in|US 98
Take the exit onto US 98 toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
7
172.9 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Take the exit toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gu...
9
173.2 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
6
173.3 mi into trip|~3h 41m in|US 49
Turn right onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.32 one way
$72.64 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$40.04
$80.08
premium
$4.71
$43.27
$86.54
diesel
$6.18
$56.75
$113.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70
0
$24.50
$11.20
Efficient EV
58.3
0
$20.41
$9.33
EV Truck/SUV
93.3
1
$32.66
$14.93
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Ackerman, MS
Night
in Ackerman on Monday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Sunny
E 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Night
in West Gulfport on Monday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
77°F
Waynesboro, MS
117 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 54m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 82% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on interstates and major US routes. You'll encounter a stretch of 88.7 miles on I 59 without needing to exit. The transition to surface roads will occur after the majority of your highway driving is complete. Be prepared for a mix of high-speed cruising and potentially more frequent exits as you approach your destination.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.7 mi on I 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 81 miles in near I 59.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 233.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 81 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.7 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
569 ft25 ft
Total Climb
459 ft
Total Descent
955 ft
Highest Point
569 ft
~50.7 mi in
Elevation Range
544 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ackerman, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans, Mobile, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 233.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.7 miles on I 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at West Gulfport, MS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 81 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.7 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at West Gulfport, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
