Gulfport to Lynchburg is 355 miles and takes about 6h 53m via I 55 and US 49, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, beginning in the Southeast region and ending in the same area. With an 81% highway share, expect a fairly direct drive, mostly on interstates. It's a manageable distance for a single day, making it a practical option if you're looking for a straightforward trip within the state.
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
177.5 miles from Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
193.7 mi
3h 29m
US 49
95.2 mi
2h
25th Avenue
60.1 mi
1h 14m
Goodman Road West
5.6 mi
8m
MS 301
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 193.7 mi, about 3h 29m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 114 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,533 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,913
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Lynchburg, 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
194 mi·3 hr 29 min·I 55
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
14
Keep slight left at fork
192 ft·6 sec
Toward Memphis
15
Turn left onto MS 302
5.6 mi·8 min·Goodman Road West
16
Turn left onto MS 301
216 ft·11 sec·MS 301
17
Turn sharp left
163 ft·6 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 53m drive, consider departing in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight. The route is well-suited for a single day, so you can adjust your pace as needed. With a fuel cost estimated around $52, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always wise, especially during the longest stretch on I 55. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and stretch your legs. Since it's a single-day trip, you'll have flexibility to depart later if needed, but an early start will allow for a more relaxed arrival.
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 177.5 miles from Gulfport, MS, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 193.7 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 78 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177.5 miles or 3h 38m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lynchburg, 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 355 miles and 6h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 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 I 55 for about 193.7 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 153.7 and 355 — 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
349 mi into trip|~6h 43m in
Take the exit toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
6
349.3 mi into trip|~6h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Memphis
6
355 mi into trip|~6h 53m in
Turn sharp left
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.51 one way
$109.02 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$60.91
$121.82
premium
$4.75
$66.40
$132.80
diesel
$5.88
$82.24
$164.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.5
1
$37.28
$17.04
Efficient EV
88.8
1
$31.06
$14.20
EV Truck/SUV
142
1
$49.70
$22.72
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Gulfport, MS
Evening
in Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Clear
NE 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lynchburg, MS
Evening
in Lynchburg on Sunday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
ENE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
12 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
6h 53m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 159.2
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 281.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 81% of the 355 miles on major roads like I 55. You'll experience a long stretch of 193.7 miles on I 55 before transitioning to US 49 and then 25th Avenue. Expect a consistent cruising pace for most of the trip, with the highway sections offering fewer exits and more open road. The shift to surface roads will likely involve more local traffic and intersections.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 193.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 355 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 349 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
414 ft20 ft
Total Climb
561 ft
Total Descent
278 ft
Highest Point
414 ft
~253.6 mi in
Elevation Range
394 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 Lynchburg, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 53m. Total distance: 355 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 53m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 193.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Lynchburg, 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 15 rest areas 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 349 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lynchburg, MS before the return drive.
