Gulfport, MS to Byhalia, MS is 361.6 miles and takes about 7 hours via I 55 and US 49, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, moving north from the Southeast region. Expect a mostly highway drive that's efficient for getting from point A to point B without much fuss. With only 2 recommended stops, it's a straightforward journey perfect for a single-day trip.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
180.8 miles from Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
186.4 mi
3h 21m
US 49
95.2 mi
2h
25th Avenue
60.1 mi
1h 14m
I 269
17.2 mi
18m
Byhalia Road
1.5 mi
3m
MS 178
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 186.4 mi, about 3h 21m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 57 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,443 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~141 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Gulfport, MS and Byhalia, MS.
1
Start on US 49
60 mi·1 hr 14 min·25th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on US 49
2.4 mi·2 min·US 49
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Turn straight onto US 49
10 mi·16 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 49; MS 42
5.4 mi·6 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 49
5.3 mi·6 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 49
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 49
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 49
4.2 mi·4 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 49
66 mi·1 hr 20 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 49
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 49
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Jackson
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.9 mi·1 min·US 49
12
Merge onto I 55
186 mi·3 hr 21 min·I 55
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 69 South: Tunica
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
15
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
17 mi·18 min·I 269; MS 304
Toward I 269 East: NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Exit 18Toward MS 309: Byhalia
17
Turn right onto MS 309
1.5 mi·3 min·Byhalia Road
18
Turn right onto MS 178
0.1 mi·14 sec·MS 178
19
Arrive at destination
MS 178
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour estimated drive time, leaving Gulfport in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Byhalia before dark. You can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Plan for your 2 stops strategically; perhaps one midway for a break and another closer to the end. With a fuel cost estimated at $58, keep an eye on your gauge, especially before embarking on the 186.4-mile stretch on I 55. Consider a quick check of your tires before you depart to ensure a smooth ride.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 180.8 miles from Gulfport, MS, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.4 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 80 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.8 miles or 3h 41m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Byhalia, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gulfport, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gulfport, MS
This is one driving day of about 361.6 miles and 7h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gulfport, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 186.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 153.7 and 359.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
153.7 mi into trip|~3h 11m in|US 49
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49 toward Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Jackson
4
154.4 mi into trip|~3h 13m in|US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
342 mi into trip|~6h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 East: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
6
342.5 mi into trip|~6h 37m in|I 269; MS 304
Merge onto I 269; MS 304 toward I 269 East: Nashville
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
5
359.8 mi into trip|~6h 56m in
Take the exit toward MS 309: Byhalia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 18
Toward MS 309: Byhalia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.58 one way
$111.16 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg127 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$61.47
$122.94
premium
$4.65
$66.16
$132.31
diesel
$5.35
$76.16
$152.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.5
1
$37.97
$17.36
Efficient EV
90.4
1
$31.64
$14.46
EV Truck/SUV
144.6
1
$50.62
$23.14
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Gulfport, MS
Afternoon
in Gulfport on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 mph51% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 8:26AM CDT until June 2 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Byhalia, MS
Afternoon
in Byhalia on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 10 to 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 8:26AM CDT until June 2 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 162.1
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
National Monument
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 286.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 83% of this 361.6-mile drive on highways, so expect a good amount of high-speed cruising. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 186.4 miles on I 55. After the highway portions, you'll transition to surface roads like 25th Avenue as you approach your destination. Be prepared for a steady flow of traffic and potentially dense exit activity on the interstate segments.
83% 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: 186.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 153.7 miles in near US 49.
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 10 significant decision points across 361.6 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 153.7 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 154.4 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 342 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
361 ft20 ft
Total Climb
605 ft
Total Descent
264 ft
Highest Point
361 ft
~361.6 mi in
Elevation Range
341 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Gulfport, MS to Byhalia, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Jackson
153.7 mi in|~3h 11m|via US 49
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 7h. Total distance: 361.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.4 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Byhalia, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 153.7 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 154.4 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 342 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Byhalia, MS before the return drive.
