Trip from Gulfport, MS to Tupelo, MS

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 53m

Distance

302.5 mi

487 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 40m ★

6 AM

5h 54m

8 AM

6h 20m

10 AM

6h 3m

12 PM

6h 0m

3 PM

6h 4m

5 PM

6h 18m

8 PM

5h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Gulfport, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Tupelo, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 302.5-mile drive from Gulfport, Mississippi, to Tupelo, Mississippi, will take you approximately 5 hours and 53 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost estimated at $46, it's an economical journey. The route is primarily on the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway and US 45, with a portion on 25th Avenue, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll experience a mixed drive profile, so it’s not a monotonous interstate journey. Given the duration and distance, tackling this in a single day is feasible, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

151.3 miles from Gulfport, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway	88.4 mi	1h 35m
US 45	65.1 mi	1h 14m
25th Avenue	60.1 mi	1h 14m
US Highway 45 Alternate	53 mi	1h 3m
Martin Luther King Drive	18.1 mi	20m
I 59	9 mi	10m
US 98	3.3 mi	4m
US 49	2.4 mi	2m

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 Tupelo, MS.

Start on US 49

60 mi · 1 hr 14 min · 25th Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 49

2.4 mi · 2 min · US 49

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 51 sec

Merge onto US 98

2.5 mi · 2 min · US 98

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 98

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 98

Toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 59

9.0 mi · 10 min · I 59

Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec

Toward US 45 North: Macon Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto US 45

65 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US 45

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · US Highway 45 Alternate

Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupelo Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Continue on US 45 ALT

18 mi · 20 min · Martin Luther King Drive

Continue on US 45; MS 6

1.5 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King, Junior Drive

Take the exit onto MS 6

0.4 mi · 49 sec · MS 6

Toward MS 6 East: Downtown Tupelo

Keep slight left at fork

170 ft · 7 sec

Turn left onto MS 6

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Main Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto North Spring Street

230 ft · 10 sec · North Spring Street

Arrive at destination

North Spring Street

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour and 53-minute drive, planning to depart in the morning will give you ample daylight to navigate the 302.5 miles. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach the Tupelo area, and consider filling up before you hit the final stretch. A specific tip for this route: be aware that the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway can have varying speed limits, so pay close attention to posted signs.

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 151.3 miles from Gulfport, MS, or about 2h 54m 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 67 miles or 1h 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 151.3 miles or 2h 54m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tupelo, 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 302.5 miles and 5h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Meridian, MS

151 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Hattiesburg, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Meridian, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 151.3 miles from Gulfport, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Tupelo River Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tupelo, Mississippi

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 302.5

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16623468800

Visit website

Strange Brew Coffeehouse Tupelo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tupelo, Mississippi

0.6 mi

Lost + Found Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tupelo, Mississippi

0.9 mi

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 216.1

Macon, Mississippi

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16625496068

BlackBeanCoffeeBus

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 172.9

Lauderdale, Mississippi

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+16019048175

Visit website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 302.5

Tupelo, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Pilot Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour

Gulfport, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Gulfport, Mississippi

Hours: 8:30 am–7 pm

+18776642738

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Gulfport, Mississippi

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 302.5

Tupelo, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 237.7

Crawford, Mississippi

+16622728303

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 228.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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.

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

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...

163.5 mi into trip | ~3h 8m in

Take the exit toward US 45 North: Macon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 45 North: Macon

228.8 mi into trip | ~4h 23m in | US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate

Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupelo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupel...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.68 one way

$91.37 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 106 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$50.15	$100.30
premium	$4.56	$54.30	$108.59
diesel	$5.61	$66.79	$133.58

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 105.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	90.8	1	$31.76	$14.52
Efficient EV	75.6	0	$26.47	$12.10
EV Truck/SUV	121	1	$42.35	$19.36

Gas CO2

106 kg

EV CO2

35 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 Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Gulfport, MS

Evening in Gulfport on Saturday

Local time

8:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Sunny

S 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Tupelo, MS

Evening in Tupelo on Saturday

Local time

8:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

79°F

Meridian, MS

151 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

5h 53m 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.

Tupelo National Battlefield

National Battlefield

In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 302.5

View on nps.gov

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free near mile 302.5

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this 302.5-mile drive is a mixed bag, with 44% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter an 88.4-mile stretch on the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, which is the longest uninterrupted segment. Expect the road to transition from more developed areas to potentially more open stretches as you head north through Mississippi. While not exclusively a high-speed interstate cruise, the mix means you'll experience varying speeds and road conditions, so stay alert for changes.

44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

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?

9/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort 9/10

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 12 significant decision points across 302.5 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 154.5 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Tupelo, MS, road signs point toward Laurel and Tuscaloosa.

Laurel

65.3 mi in | ~1h 20m | via US 98

Tuscaloosa

154.5 mi in | ~2h 58m | via I 59

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 302.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

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 Tupelo, 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.

Yes — Tupelo National Battlefield and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tupelo, MS before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Gulfport, MS or browse trips ending in Tupelo, MS.

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Trip from Gulfport, MS to Tupelo, MS

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Tupelo River Coffee

Haven Acres Restaurant

Tupelo River Coffee

Strange Brew Coffeehouse Tupelo

Lost + Found Coffee Company

Blue Truck Coffee

BlackBeanCoffeeBus

Tesla Destination Charger

Tesla Destination Charger

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Pilot Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

The Hill and Moor

Mississippi Aquarium

TrainTastic! Train Museum formerly: Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum

Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum

Lynn Meadows Discovery Center

Black Prairie Wildlife Area

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Gulfport, MS

Tupelo, MS

Same local time

Very similar conditions

5h 53m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Tupelo National Battlefield

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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