Belzoni, MS to West Gulfport, MS is 228 miles and takes about 4h 39m via US 49, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive primarily on highways, making it a good option for a single-day excursion. You'll likely find it to be a practical and efficient route for reaching your destination without extensive planning.
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
114 miles from Belzoni, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
71.4 mi
1h 27m
Jerry Clower Boulevard
38.8 mi
47m
US 49W
24.1 mi
29m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
I 20
1.2 mi
1m
1st Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~3,273 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,355
Quietest
2 AM
~278 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.8×
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 Belzoni, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on MS 7
221 ft·8 sec·Martin Luther King Drive
2
Turn right onto MS 7
0.4 mi·44 sec·1st Street
3
Turn left onto US 49W; MS 12
24 mi·28 min·US 49W; MS 12
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W
0.5 mi·53 sec·US 49W
Toward US 49 South: Jackson
5
Merge onto US 49
39 mi·47 min·Jerry Clower Boulevard
6
Take the exit onto US 49
4.9 mi·5 min·US 49
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
3.8 mi·5 min·US 49
8
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.1 mi·1 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
347 ft·4 sec·I 20; US 49
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
10
Take the exit onto US 49
0.6 mi·42 sec·US 49
Toward Hattiesburg
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
12
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
17
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
23
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Belzoni in the morning to take full advantage of the daylight for your 4h 39m drive. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to rest. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you near the end of the 80.3-mile stretch on Highway 49 South, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas. The $33 fuel estimate is based on current averages, so check prices closer to your travel date.
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 114 miles from Belzoni, MS, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 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 50 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114 miles or 2h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 49m
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 Belzoni, 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 Belzoni, MS
This is one driving day of about 228 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Belzoni, 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 Highway 49 South for about 80.3 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 73.1 and 167.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
73.1 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|I 20; US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49 toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
7
156.2 mi into trip|~3h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
7
164.4 mi into trip|~3h 21m 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
167.5 mi into trip|~3h 25m 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
167.8 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.49 one way
$70.99 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.13
$78.26
premium
$4.71
$42.29
$84.58
diesel
$6.18
$55.47
$110.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.4
0
$23.94
$10.94
Efficient EV
57
0
$19.95
$9.12
EV Truck/SUV
91.2
1
$31.92
$14.59
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Belzoni, MS
Morning
in Belzoni on Monday
Local time
7:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
E 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Morning
in West Gulfport on Monday
Local time
7:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
NE 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
83°F
Sumrall, MS
114 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 39m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 79% of the drive on major roads. You'll experience an 80.3-mile stretch on Highway 49 South without interruption. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the majority of the trip. The transition to surface roads will occur after this long highway segment, introducing a different driving pace.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.3 mi on Highway 49 South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 49 South and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 73.1 miles in near I 20; US 49.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 228 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 73.1 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.4 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
405 ft25 ft
Total Climb
583 ft
Total Descent
667 ft
Highest Point
405 ft
~114 mi in
Elevation Range
380 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Belzoni, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Meridian, Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mobile - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 228 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South. 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 73.1 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.4 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at West Gulfport, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
