If you are planning a trip from Clinton to Gautier, expect a journey covering 190.5 miles across the state of Mississippi. With a travel time of approximately 3 hours and 55 minutes, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You will navigate primarily through local roads, including East Leake Street, East Street, and East Main Street, rather than major interstate systems. Budgeting about $29 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire distance. Since the drive is manageable in one go, you likely won't need an overnight stay, making it a straightforward connection between the two locales.
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
95.2 miles from Clinton, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
44.7 mi
53m
Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
20.5 mi
24m
I 10
14.2 mi
15m
I 20
9.9 mi
12m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
Gautier Vancleave Road
3.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, MS and Gautier, MS.
1
Start on Dunton Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Dunton Road
2
Continue on East Leake Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·East Leake Street
3
Turn left onto East Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·East Street
4
Turn left onto East Main Street
366 ft·18 sec·East Main Street
5
Turn right onto Clinton Parkway
0.4 mi·43 sec·Clinton Parkway
6
Continue on Springridge Road
0.5 mi·55 sec·Springridge Road
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
8
Merge onto I 20
8.7 mi·10 min·I 20
9
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.1 mi·1 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
347 ft·4 sec·I 20; US 49
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
11
Take the exit onto US 49
0.6 mi·42 sec·US 49
Toward Hattiesburg
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
13
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
18
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto US 49
42 mi·49 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward MS 67 South: D'Iberville, Biloxi
23
Continue on MS 67
20 mi·24 min·Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
24
Continue on I 110
0.1 mi·10 sec·I 110
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 4AToward I 10 East: Pascagoula, Mobile
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 10
27
Merge onto I 10
14 mi·15 min·I 10
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Gautier, Vancleave
29
Keep slight right at fork
500 ft·10 sec
30
Turn straight onto Gautier Vancleave Road
3.1 mi·5 min·Gautier Vancleave Road
31
Turn left onto US 90
2.4 mi·4 min·US 90
32
Turn left onto Oak Street
0.2 mi·46 sec·Oak Street
33
Turn right
248 ft·11 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 3-hour and 55-minute drive, aim to depart early in the day to navigate the local roads while visibility is at its best. You only need to plan for one stop along the way, which provides a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refresh your fuel supply. Since there is no highway driving, traffic signals and local intersections will dictate your pace, so build in a little extra time for the unexpected. A practical tip for this route is to keep your navigation system running consistently, as the reliance on local streets like East Leake and East Main requires frequent attention to turns.
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 95.2 miles from Clinton, MS, or about 2h 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 42 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.2 miles or 2h 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gautier, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clinton, 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 Clinton, MS
This is one driving day of about 190.5 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Clinton, 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.5 and 106.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
11.5 mi into trip|~17m 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
94.7 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
102.8 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
106 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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
106.3 mi into trip|~2h 13m 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
$28.77 one way
$57.54 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$31.58
$63.17
premium
$4.56
$34.19
$68.39
diesel
$5.61
$42.06
$84.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.2
0
$20.00
$9.14
Efficient EV
47.6
0
$16.67
$7.62
EV Truck/SUV
76.2
0
$26.67
$12.19
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% 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
Clinton, MS
Late night
in Clinton on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gautier, MS
Late night
in Gautier on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
3 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 55m 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.
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 trip offers a departure from the typical interstate grind, as it is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive with a 0% highway share. You should be prepared for a more engaged experience behind the wheel, as you will navigate a series of local streets rather than long, monotonous stretches of high-speed pavement. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major highways, you will encounter a slower, more deliberate pace throughout the 190.5-mile duration. Stay alert, as the winding nature of the streets demands consistent focus compared to a standard highway cruise.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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 11.5 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 23 significant decision points across 190.5 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 11.5 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.8 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
399 ft16 ft
Total Climb
225 ft
Total Descent
564 ft
Highest Point
399 ft
~27.2 mi in
Elevation Range
383 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clinton, MS and Gautier, MS, road signs point toward Meridian, Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mobile - among others.
Meridian
11.5 mi in|~17m|via I 20; US 49
Hattiesburg
11.5 mi in|~17m|via I 20; US 49
Richland
12.2 mi in|~17m|via US 49
Gulf Coast
94.7 mi in|~1h 59m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
95 mi in|~1h 59m|via I 59
Mobile
102.8 mi in|~2h 8m|via US 98
Gulfport
106 mi in|~2h 12m
Multi Purpose Center
106.3 mi in|~2h 13m
Biloxi
148.3 mi in|~3h 2m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 190.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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.
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 Gautier, 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 11.5 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.8 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 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Gautier, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
