This 322.4-mile journey from Fulton, MS to Gulfport, MS is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 6 hours and 19 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-59 and US-49, this route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 94% of the drive on major roads. With a fuel cost estimated at $49, it's an accessible trip for many. You'll be traversing within the Southeast region, staying within Mississippi for the entire duration. Plan for one main stop along the way, keeping the 88.7-mile longest stretch on I-59 in mind.
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
161.2 miles from Fulton, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 59
88.7 mi
1h 36m
US 49
62.4 mi
1h 17m
US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 45 Alternate
54.7 mi
1h 6m
I 22
14.2 mi
15m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
Martin Luther King Drive
7.7 mi
8m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 88.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fulton, MS and Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on North Cummings Street
121 ft·8 sec·North Cummings Street
2
Turn left onto MS 178
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
3
Turn right onto South Adams Street
2.0 mi·3 min·South Adams Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward Tupelo
5
Merge onto I 22; US 78
14 mi·15 min·I 22; US 78
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Auburn Road
7
Keep slight left at fork
182 ft·6 sec
8
Turn left
115 ft·2 sec
9
Turn straight onto CR 931
0.4 mi·54 sec·Auburn Road
10
Continue on North Eason Boulevard
5.1 mi·8 min·North Eason Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, PontotocUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto US 45; MS 6
1.9 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
13
Continue on US 45; US 278
7.7 mi·8 min·Martin Luther King Drive
14
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
15
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
16
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
17
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
18
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
19
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
23
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
89 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New OrleansUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
30
Turn straight onto US 49
4.5 mi·7 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on US 49
215 ft·16 sec·25th Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
US 49
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 19-minute duration, starting your drive from Fulton, MS early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable arrival in Gulfport, MS. With only one recommended stop, you can strategically plan this break around the 88.7-mile stretch on I-59 to break up the longest continuous driving segment. The $49 fuel estimate is a good baseline for your budget, but it's always wise to factor in a little extra. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches of highway where services might be less frequent.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.2 miles from Fulton, MS, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.7 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 71 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.2 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 7m
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 Fulton, 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 Fulton, MS
This is one driving day of about 322.4 miles and 6h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Fulton, 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 I 59 for about 88.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.8 and 259.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
22.8 mi into trip|~30m in
Turn left toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontotoc
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontot...
8
167.6 mi into trip|~3h 21m in|I 59
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
7
256.3 mi into trip|~4h 57m 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
259.5 mi into trip|~5h 1m 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
259.8 mi into trip|~5h 1m 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
$48.69 one way
$97.38 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$53.45
$106.90
premium
$4.56
$57.87
$115.73
diesel
$5.61
$71.18
$142.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.7
1
$33.85
$15.48
Efficient EV
80.6
0
$28.21
$12.90
EV Truck/SUV
129
1
$45.14
$20.63
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Fulton, MS
Evening
in Fulton on Saturday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gulfport, MS
Evening
in Gulfport on Saturday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Meridian, MS
161 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
7 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
6h 19m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Tupelo National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 22.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 322.4-mile trip, as 94% of the route is on major highways. The drive progresses with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 88.7 miles along I-59, offering a consistent pace. You'll transition from I-59 to US-49 and US Highway 45 Alternate, providing a mix of high-speed interstate driving and slightly more varied highway conditions as you approach your destination. This profile suggests a straightforward drive with minimal complex navigation.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.7 mi on I 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 322.4 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 22.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.6 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.3 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 Fulton, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Pontotoc, New Orleans, Mobile, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
Pontotoc
22.8 mi in|~30m
New Orleans
167.6 mi in|~3h 21m|via I 59
Mobile
256.3 mi in|~4h 57m|via US 98
Mississippi Gulf Coast
259.5 mi in|~5h 1m
Multi Purpose Center
259.8 mi in|~5h 1m
Hattiesburg
259.8 mi in|~5h 1m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 19m. Total distance: 322.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.7 miles on I 59. 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 22.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.6 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gulfport, MS before the return drive.
