If you are planning a trip from Carthage to the Gulf Coast, this 217.9-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Mississippi. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 12 minutes on the road, making this an ideal day trip if you get an early start. You will primarily navigate via West Florida Republic Parkway, I-55, and US-98. With a fuel budget of approximately $33, the route is economically friendly for a single day of travel. Since both locations are situated in the Southeast, the transition from the interior of the state to the coast is seamless. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from the heart of the state to the Gulfport shoreline efficiently.
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
109 miles from Carthage, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
West Florida Republic Parkway
48.2 mi
51m
I 55
43.2 mi
46m
US 98
43.2 mi
48m
Stephen E Ambrose Memorial Parkway
39.3 mi
42m
US 84
28.3 mi
32m
Seargent Prentiss Drive
6.4 mi
7m
US 49
4.3 mi
7m
Carthage Point Road
2.3 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
West Florida Republic Parkway
— 48.2 mi, about 51m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,390 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,963
Quietest
2 AM
~199 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Carthage, MS and Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on this road
45 ft·2 sec·this road
2
Turn straight onto Carthage Point Road
2.1 mi·8 min·Carthage Point Road
3
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
0.1 mi·29 sec·Carthage Point Road
4
Turn straight onto Lower Woodville Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Lower Woodville Road
5
Turn right onto Highland Boulevard
1.0 mi·2 min·Highland Boulevard
6
Turn left onto US 61
6.4 mi·7 min·Seargent Prentiss Drive
7
Take the exit onto US 84
28 mi·32 min·US 84
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
9
Keep slight left at fork
167 ft·4 sec
10
Turn right onto US 98; MS 184
0.6 mi·43 sec·US 98; MS 184
11
Turn right onto US 98
29 mi·32 min·US 98
12
Take the exit onto US 98
14 mi·14 min·US 98
13
Continue on I 55
43 mi·46 min·I 55
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 29AToward I 12 East: Slidell
15
Merge onto I 12
47 mi·50 min·West Florida Republic Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 12
0.7 mi·43 sec·West Florida Republic Parkway
Exit 85CToward I 10: Bay Saint Louis
17
Merge onto I 10
39 mi·42 min·Stephen E Ambrose Memorial Parkway
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 49 South: Gulfport, Airport
19
Turn straight onto US 49
4.3 mi·7 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on US 49
215 ft·16 sec·25th Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
US 49
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 12-minute commute, plan for at least one well-timed stop to break up the monotony of the highway. Since you are covering significant mileage, filling your tank before departing Carthage helps you stay within your $33 fuel estimate without needing to hunt for stations mid-stretch. Because 95% of this route is on major highways, keep a close eye on traffic patterns along I-55, as volume can fluctuate depending on the time of day. Flexibility is your best asset here; since the entire trip is designed as a one-day excursion, leaving mid-morning often helps you bypass the heaviest rush-hour congestion on the busier segments of the road.
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 109 miles from Carthage, MS, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.2 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 48 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109 miles or 2h 11m 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 26m
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 Carthage, 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 Carthage, MS
This is one driving day of about 217.9 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Carthage, 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 West Florida Republic Parkway for about 48.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 213.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.2 mi into trip|~8m in|Carthage Point Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
39.1 mi into trip|~54m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
125.5 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 12 East: Slidell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 29A
Toward I 12 East: Slidell
5
125.7 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway
Merge onto I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
213.1 mi into trip|~4h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 49 South: Gulfport, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 49 South: Gulfport, Airport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.25 one way
$60.50 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$33.84
$67.69
premium
$4.29
$36.79
$73.59
diesel
$4.80
$41.14
$82.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.4
0
$22.88
$10.46
Efficient EV
54.5
0
$19.07
$8.72
EV Truck/SUV
87.2
1
$30.51
$13.95
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Carthage, MS
Night
in Carthage on Saturday
Local time
10:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Sunny
W 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:49PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Gulfport, MS
Night
in Gulfport on Saturday
Local time
10:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:49PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
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
1 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 12m 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.
Natchez National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Discover the history of all the peoples of Natchez, Mississippi, from European settlement, African enslavement, the American cotton economy, to the Civil Rights struggle on the lower Mississippi River...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 95% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a consistent rhythm, particularly during the longest stretch of 48.2 miles on the West Florida Republic Parkway. The drive feels purposeful and efficient, lacking the frequent stops of local surface streets. While the interstate segments offer a fast-paced environment, the transition to US-98 allows for a change in scenery as you head toward the coast. Behind the wheel, you can expect a steady, reliable experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads.
95% 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: 48.2 mi on West Florida Republic Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on West Florida Republic Parkway and I 55. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near Carthage Point Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 217.9 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (Carthage Point Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 39.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 125.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 217.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.2 miles on West Florida Republic Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (Carthage Point Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 39.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 125.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Natchez National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Gulfport, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
