Traveling from Indianola to Gulfport covers 253.4 miles, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 12 minutes of drive time. Because the trip is straightforward, you can easily complete it in a single day, making it a practical choice for those looking to reach the Gulf Coast without a lengthy overnight stay. Budgeting around $39 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire trek across Mississippi. You will primarily utilize Highway 49 South and US 49 to navigate from the Delta region toward the coast. While the drive is manageable in one stint, consider your comfort level with over five hours behind the wheel before heading out.
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
126.7 miles from Indianola, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
73.9 mi
1h 32m
North Martin Luther King Drive
45.4 mi
54m
Jerry Clower Boulevard
38.8 mi
47m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
I 20
1.2 mi
1m
2nd Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Indianola, MS and Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on Lee Street
76 ft·5 sec·Lee Street
2
Turn right onto Alexander Avenue
94 ft·4 sec·Alexander Avenue
3
Turn right onto Westside Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·Westside Avenue
4
Turn right onto 2nd Street
1.2 mi·2 min·2nd Street
5
Turn right onto US 49W
45 mi·54 min·North Martin Luther King Drive
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W
0.5 mi·53 sec·US 49W
Toward US 49 South: Jackson
7
Merge onto US 49
39 mi·47 min·Jerry Clower Boulevard
8
Take the exit onto US 49
4.9 mi·5 min·US 49
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
3.8 mi·5 min·US 49
10
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.1 mi·1 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
347 ft·4 sec·I 20; US 49
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
12
Take the exit onto US 49
0.6 mi·42 sec·US 49
Toward Hattiesburg
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
14
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
19
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn straight onto US 49
4.5 mi·7 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on US 49
215 ft·16 sec·25th Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
US 49
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure early in the morning to avoid midday traffic and ensure you reach your destination well before nightfall. Since the route includes one recommended stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refresh your focus during the 253.4-mile transit. Given that your fuel budget is approximately $39, keep an eye on your gauge during the longer highway stretches to ensure you aren't caught off guard. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on real-time traffic conditions. Prioritize keeping your fuel levels consistent, especially before hitting the longest 80.3-mile stretch on Highway 49 South.
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 126.7 miles from Indianola, MS, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 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 56 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.7 miles or 2h 37m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Indianola, 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 Indianola, MS
This is one driving day of about 253.4 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Indianola, 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 Highway 49 South for about 80.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 96 and 190.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
96 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|I 20; US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49 toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
7
179.1 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
7
187.3 mi into trip|~3h 50m in|US 98
Take the exit onto US 98 toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
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 US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
7
190.4 mi into trip|~3h 54m in
Take the exit toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast
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 US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gu...
9
190.7 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.27 one way
$76.54 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$42.01
$84.02
premium
$4.56
$45.48
$90.96
diesel
$5.61
$55.95
$111.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76
0
$26.61
$12.16
Efficient EV
63.4
0
$22.17
$10.14
EV Truck/SUV
101.4
1
$35.48
$16.22
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Indianola, MS
Morning
in Indianola on Tuesday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gulfport, MS
Morning
in Gulfport on Tuesday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live 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
17 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
5h 12m 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 a highway-focused drive, with 63% of your journey spent on high-speed routes. Expect a consistent pace as you transition from the interior of the state toward the southern region. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on Highway 49 South, where you will cover 80.3 miles at a time. The character of the road is functional and direct, prioritizing efficiency over winding, technical turns. As you navigate North Martin Luther King Drive and the surrounding highway system, you will find a predictable, steady experience that allows you to make good time.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.3 mi on Highway 49 South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 49 South and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 96 miles in near I 20; US 49.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 253.4 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 96 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Indianola, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Meridian, Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mobile - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 12m. Total distance: 253.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South. 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 Gulfport, 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 96 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gulfport, MS before the return drive.
