This 179.1-mile drive from Gulfport, MS to Carthage, MS is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 3 minutes to complete. Expect a fuel cost of around $27 for this journey, which primarily follows MS 35 and US 49. With a highway share of 66%, this route offers a straightforward driving experience. The drive is focused on highways, making it a practical option for getting between these two points within the Southeast region. Given the relatively short duration, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations.
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
89.6 miles from Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 35
73.2 mi
1h 48m
25th Avenue
60.1 mi
1h 14m
US 49
43.9 mi
56m
MS 28
1.3 mi
2m
South Main Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
MS 35
— 73.2 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gulfport, MS and Carthage, 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
16 mi·19 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto MS 149
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
10
Turn right onto MS 35
10 mi·14 min·MS 35
11
Turn right onto MS 28; MS 35
1.3 mi·2 min·MS 28; MS 35
12
Turn left onto MS 35
63 mi·1 hr 33 min·MS 35
13
Arrive at destination
MS 35
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, departing in the morning will allow you to reach Carthage with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one suggested stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 73.2 miles on MS 35, as services might be less frequent. Since this is a single-day trip, you can afford to be flexible with your departure time. A good tip is to check local traffic conditions around Gulfport before you set off, as early morning congestion can add unexpected time to your initial miles on 25th Avenue.
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 89.6 miles from Gulfport, MS, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.2 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 39 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.6 miles or 1h 53m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carthage, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gulfport, MS
This is one driving day of about 179.1 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Gulfport, 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 MS 35 for about 73.2 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 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 62.6 and 116 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
62.6 mi into trip|~1h 17m in|US 49
Turn straight onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
3
104.1 mi into trip|~2h 11m in|MS 149 / South Main Street
Turn right onto MS 149 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
3
104.6 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|MS 35
Turn right onto MS 35
Navigation decision point
4
114.7 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|MS 28; MS 35
Turn right onto MS 28; MS 35
Navigation decision point
3
116 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|MS 35
Turn left onto MS 35
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.05 one way
$54.10 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$29.69
$59.39
premium
$4.56
$32.15
$64.29
diesel
$5.61
$39.54
$79.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.7
0
$18.81
$8.60
Efficient EV
44.8
0
$15.67
$7.16
EV Truck/SUV
71.6
0
$25.07
$11.46
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 20, 2026
Origin
Gulfport, MS
Morning
in Gulfport on Tuesday
Local time
7:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Carthage, MS
Morning
in Carthage on Tuesday
Local time
7:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Sumrall, MS
90 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 3m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is largely a highway-focused drive, with 66% of the mileage on faster roads. You'll experience a considerable stretch of 73.2 miles on MS 35, providing an extended period of consistent travel. The route transitions between major highways like US 49 and state routes such as MS 35, offering a mix of speeds and road types. While primarily highway-oriented, expect some sections on 25th Avenue as you navigate through populated areas. The overall feel is one of efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.2 mi on MS 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 35 and 25th Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 62.6 miles in near US 49.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 62.6 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 104.1 miles (MS 149 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 104.6 miles (MS 35): Navigation decision point.
The longest stretch is about 73.2 miles on MS 35. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 62.6 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 104.1 miles (MS 149 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 104.6 miles (MS 35): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Carthage, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
