If you are planning to head from Brookhaven to the coast, this 152.7-mile journey is a straightforward trek that takes approximately 3 hours and 8 minutes. Since the drive is entirely within the Southeast region of Mississippi, you will experience a consistent landscape as you transition toward the Gulf. You can easily complete this as a single-day trip, making it an efficient choice for those looking to reach the water without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend about $23 on fuel for the one-way transit. Because the route is highly efficient, it is best suited for travelers who prioritize time and directness over frequent sightseeing detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.4 miles from Brookhaven, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49
85.5 mi
1h 45m
US 84
49 mi
56m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
East Monticello Street
4.5 mi
7m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
MS 184
1.4 mi
2m
25th Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 49
— 85.5 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brookhaven, MS and Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on MS 184
4.5 mi·7 min·East Monticello Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
19 mi·21 min·US 84
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 84
20 mi·23 min·US 84
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 84
10 mi·12 min·US 84
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
6
Turn straight onto MS 184
1.4 mi·2 min·MS 184
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 49 South: Hattiesburg
8
Merge onto US 49
22 mi·26 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn straight onto US 49
4.5 mi·7 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 49
215 ft·16 sec·25th Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
US 49
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one stop to break up the three-hour duration and stay refreshed behind the wheel. Since you are traveling a highway-heavy route, try to depart during off-peak hours to maintain a steady pace on US 49. Given the $23 fuel estimate, filling up your tank in Brookhaven before you head out is a smart way to simplify your logistics. Use the flexibility of this short trip to your advantage by choosing a departure time that aligns with your desired arrival on the coast. Keep an eye on your mileage, as the 85.5-mile stretch is the perfect time to check your fuel levels and stretch your legs before the final leg of the journey.
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 76.4 miles from Brookhaven, MS, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.5 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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.4 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brookhaven, 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 Brookhaven, MS
This is one driving day of about 152.7 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Brookhaven, 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 US 49 for about 85.5 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 78.5 and 90.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
78.5 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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
6
78.9 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
7
86.6 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
89.8 mi into trip|~1h 49m 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
90.1 mi into trip|~1h 50m 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
$23.06 one way
$46.12 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$25.32
$50.63
premium
$4.56
$27.41
$54.82
diesel
$5.61
$33.71
$67.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.8
0
$16.03
$7.33
Efficient EV
38.2
0
$13.36
$6.11
EV Truck/SUV
61.1
0
$21.38
$9.77
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Brookhaven, MS
Late night
in Brookhaven on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gulfport, MS
Late night
in Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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
3h 8m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 trip is a highway-focused drive, with 91% of your time spent on major routes like US 49, US 84, and the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the road, including one significant 85.5-mile stretch on US 49 that requires sustained focus. While the route moves quickly, you should be prepared for a consistent highway experience rather than a winding backroads adventure. The road personality is functional and reliable, allowing you to cover the distance with minimal navigation stress. Expect the drive to feel like a purposeful transition from the interior of the state toward your destination.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.5 mi on US 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and US 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 78.5 miles in.
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 11 significant decision points across 152.7 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 78.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.9 miles (I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.6 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brookhaven, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 152.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.5 miles on US 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 78.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.9 miles (I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.6 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Gulfport, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
