This 209.9-mile drive from Goodman, MS, to West Gulfport, MS, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 12 minutes on the road, primarily traveling south on Highway 49 and US 49, with a short stint on I-55. With 94% of the route on highways, it's a quick trip that makes for a solid day trip, though you could split it if you prefer a more leisurely pace. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $32, making it an economical option for exploring Mississippi. You'll stay within the Southeast region for the entire drive.
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
104.9 miles from Goodman, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
62.1 mi
1h 16m
I 55
51.3 mi
56m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
Main Street
3.1 mi
5m
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Pine Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 41 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,953 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~191 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.7×
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 Goodman, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on Pine Street
338 ft·18 sec·Pine Street
2
Turn left onto MS 14
3.1 mi·5 min·Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
4
Merge onto I 55
51 mi·56 min·I 55
5
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
7
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
18
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 12-minute duration, leaving Goodman, MS, in the morning is your best bet to arrive in West Gulfport with ample daylight. You'll only need one planned stop for this 209.9-mile journey, so pace yourself and consider a mid-drive break. With 94% of the route on highways, you'll want to be mindful of the 80.3-mile stretch on Highway 49 South; ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that longer segment. The $32 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to factor in a little extra for unexpected detours or idling.
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 104.9 miles from Goodman, MS, or about 2h 4m 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 46 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.9 miles or 2h 4m 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 West Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Goodman, 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 Goodman, MS
This is one driving day of about 209.9 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Goodman, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 55.6 and 149.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
55.6 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49 toward Richland, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
7
138.1 mi into trip|~2h 45m 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
146.3 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
149.4 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
149.7 mi into trip|~2h 59m 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
$29.14 one way
$58.28 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$32.60
$65.20
premium
$4.29
$35.44
$70.89
diesel
$4.80
$39.63
$79.27
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: 73.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63
0
$22.04
$10.08
Efficient EV
52.5
0
$18.37
$8.40
EV Truck/SUV
84
1
$29.39
$13.43
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Goodman, MS
Afternoon
in Goodman on Sunday
Local time
12:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Afternoon
in West Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
12:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 0 to 5 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
96°F
Sumrall, MS
105 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
2 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
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.
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?
The character of this drive is predominantly highway, with 94% of the 209.9 miles utilizing major roadways like Highway 49 South and US 49. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of the trip. While the majority is highway, there are moments where the road might feel less like a pure interstate grind and more like a significant state highway, especially as you approach your destination. This means you'll likely encounter varied speed limits and potentially more local traffic as you get closer to West Gulfport.
94% 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: 80.3 mi on Highway 49 South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 55.6 miles in near US 49.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 209.9 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 55.6 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.3 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
391 ft25 ft
Total Climb
316 ft
Total Descent
568 ft
Highest Point
391 ft
~89.9 mi in
Elevation Range
367 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Goodman, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile and Gulfport - among others.
Hattiesburg
54.7 mi in|~1h 3m
Richland
55.6 mi in|~1h 4m|via US 49
Gulf Coast
138.1 mi in|~2h 45m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
138.5 mi in|~2h 46m|via I 59
Mobile
146.3 mi in|~2h 54m|via US 98
Gulfport
149.4 mi in|~2h 58m
Multi Purpose Center
149.7 mi in|~2h 59m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 209.9 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 (94%). 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.
Yes — we found about 7 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 West 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 55.6 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.3 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 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 West Gulfport, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
