If you are planning a journey from Gulfport to Pearl River, expect a 202.9-mile trip that takes approximately 4 hours and 11 minutes to complete. This route keeps you within the Southeast region of Mississippi, making it a straightforward drive that is easily manageable as a one-day excursion. You will navigate a combination of routes, including the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, 25th Avenue, and MS 19. Budget roughly $31 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Because the drive is relatively efficient, you can complete it without needing an overnight stay, though planning for one stop will help keep you fresh behind the wheel.
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
101.5 miles from Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
88.4 mi
1h 35m
25th Avenue
60.1 mi
1h 14m
MS 19
36.7 mi
54m
MS 16
4.9 mi
7m
US 98
3.3 mi
4m
US 49
2.4 mi
2m
I 59
2 mi
2m
Beacon Street
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
— 88.4 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gulfport, MS and Pearl River, 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
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
4
Merge onto US 98
2.5 mi·2 min·US 98
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 98
0.8 mi·1 min·US 98
Toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, LaurelUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 59; US 98
88 mi·1 hr 35 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59
2.0 mi·2 min·I 59
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, TuscaloosaUse the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Toward South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Philadelphia, Meridian AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto US 11
1.2 mi·1 min·US 11
10
Turn left onto MS 19
37 mi·54 min·MS 19
11
At end of road, turn left onto MS 16; MS 19
2.0 mi·3 min·Beacon Street
12
Turn straight onto MS 15; MS 21
0.8 mi·1 min·MS 15; MS 21
13
Turn right onto MS 16
4.9 mi·7 min·MS 16
14
Turn right onto North Oswald Road
0.3 mi·1 min·North Oswald Road
15
Continue on Black Jack Road
0.1 mi·29 sec·Black Jack Road
16
Turn right onto High School Circle
59 ft·2 sec·High School Circle
17
Arrive at destination
High School Circle
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure to account for the 4-hour and 11-minute duration, ensuring you have enough time to navigate the turn-heavy sections during daylight hours. Since the trip requires only one stop, look for a convenient location midway through your 202.9-mile trek to stretch your legs and refuel. Keeping your $31 fuel budget in mind, it is wise to fill up before hitting the more rural stretches of MS 19 where service stations may be less frequent. Take advantage of the route's flexibility by checking local traffic patterns on the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway before you leave. This approach allows you to maintain a steady pace throughout the day without feeling rushed.
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 101.5 miles from Gulfport, MS, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.4 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 45 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.5 miles or 2h 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 Pearl River, 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 202.9 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway for about 88.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 62.9 and 156.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
62.9 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|US 98
Merge onto US 98
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
65.3 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|US 98
Take the exit onto US 98 toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
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 I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
5
66.1 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|I 59; US 98 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 59; US 98 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
154.5 mi into trip|~2h 58m in|I 59
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscalo...
7
156.5 mi into trip|~3h in
Take the exit toward South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Philadelphia, Meridian Airport
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 South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Phila...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.64 one way
$61.29 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$33.64
$67.28
premium
$4.56
$36.42
$72.84
diesel
$5.61
$44.80
$89.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.9
0
$21.30
$9.74
Efficient EV
50.7
0
$17.75
$8.12
EV Truck/SUV
81.2
1
$28.41
$12.99
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Apr 11, 2026
Origin
Gulfport, MS
Late night
in Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pearl River, MS
Late night
in Pearl River on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
SSE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
80°F
Ellisville, MS
101 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
24 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 11m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 25% of the journey spent on highways, you will spend the majority of your time navigating local roads and varied terrain. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 88.4 miles on the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, which serves as the primary artery for the first portion of the trip. As you transition onto 25th Avenue and MS 19, the character of the road changes, shifting from faster highway segments to more technical driving. Prepare for a dynamic experience that keeps you engaged as you wind your way toward your destination.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.4 mi on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 62.9 miles in near US 98.
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 12 significant decision points across 202.9 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 62.9 miles (US 98): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.1 miles (I 59; US 98 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
523 ft20 ft
Total Climb
712 ft
Total Descent
209 ft
Highest Point
523 ft
~202.9 mi in
Elevation Range
503 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gulfport, MS and Pearl River, MS, road signs point toward Laurel, Tuscaloosa, Mississippi 19: Philadelphia and Meridian Airport.
Laurel
65.3 mi in|~1h 20m|via US 98
Tuscaloosa
154.5 mi in|~2h 58m|via I 59
Mississippi 19: Philadelphia
156.5 mi in|~3h
Meridian Airport
156.5 mi in|~3h
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 11m. Total distance: 202.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.4 miles on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway. 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 Pearl River, 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 62.9 miles (US 98): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.1 miles (I 59; US 98 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Pearl River, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
