Tope La Restaurant
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hammond, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+19855427600
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h
Distance
207.1 mi
333 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fayette, MS
Bingqian Li
Gulfport, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Fayette, MS to Gulfport, MS is 207.1 miles and takes about 4 hours via West Florida Republic Parkway and I-55, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Mississippi, taking you from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip that's perfect for a single-day excursion. You'll find this route practical for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
103.5 miles from Fayette, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
| 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 |
| MS 28 | 13.6 mi | 23m |
| US 84 | 13.2 mi | 15m |
| US 49 | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Main Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
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
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Fayette, MS and Gulfport, MS.
Start on Poindexter Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Turn left onto MS 28; MS 33
Turn left onto US 84
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto US 98; MS 184
Turn right onto US 98
Take the exit onto US 98
Continue on I 55
Take the exit
Merge onto I 12
Continue on I 12
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 49
Continue on US 49
Arrive at destination
For this 4-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Gulfport before evening. With only one recommended stop and a short duration, flexibility is key. Plan your fuel stops, considering the $31 estimated cost, and note that you'll be on highways for the majority of the trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 48.2-mile stretch on West Florida Republic Parkway, to avoid any unexpected delays.
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.
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 46 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.5 miles or 2h 5m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Fayette, 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 Fayette, MS
This is one driving day of about 207.1 miles and 4h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 103.5 miles from Fayette, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · around the midpoint
Hammond, Louisiana
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+19855427600
Rusty Pelican - Covington
Covington, Louisiana
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hammond, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+19855427600
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Covington, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+19854002600
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~9 min detour
Slidell, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–3 pm
+19856411911
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~11 min detour
Lacombe, Louisiana
Hours: 5–9:30 pm
+19858829443
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
Slidell, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm
+19852884512
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Gulfport, Mississippi
+12283142100
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
Slidell, Louisiana
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
Near the end, right off the route
Gulfport, Mississippi
Hours: Open 24 hours
+12283142100
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Hammond, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Covington, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Kiln, Mississippi
Hours: Open 24 hours
+12284672727
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Hammond, Louisiana
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+18889982546
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Slidell, Louisiana
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
Near the end, right off the route
Gulfport, Mississippi
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12282411300
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Gulfport, Mississippi
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+12282845731
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Hammond, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+19856625038
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Gulfport, Mississippi
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+16012992816
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ponchatoula, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–4 pm
+19853453617
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Gulfport, Mississippi
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12288976039
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~9 min detour
Slidell, Louisiana
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+19856464371
Around the midpoint, short detour
Kentwood, Louisiana
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+19852292438
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 202.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward I 12 East: Slidell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Merge onto I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 49 South: Gulfport, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$28.75 one way
$57.50 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.95 | $32.17 | $64.33 |
| premium | $4.29 | $34.97 | $69.94 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $39.10 | $78.21 |
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: 72.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.1 | 0 | $21.75 | $9.94 |
| Efficient EV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.12 | $8.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.8 | 1 | $28.99 | $13.25 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Fayette on Sunday
Local time
6:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Morning in Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
6:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Cloudy
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
This drive is 99% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for almost the entire 207.1 miles. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 48.2 miles on West Florida Republic Parkway. Expect minimal time on surface streets as you transition from Fayette to Gulfport. The abundance of highway means you'll encounter frequent exit ramps and merging traffic as you navigate.
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 early in the drive near Main Street.
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 207.1 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: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 28.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 114.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
298 ft
Total Descent
565 ft
Highest Point
461 ft
~44.4 mi in
Elevation Range
445 ft
Founded 1887
Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h. Total distance: 207.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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