Traveling from Leland to West Gulfport covers 267.8 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 32 minutes of drive time. Because this journey stays entirely within Mississippi, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you head south toward the coast. Budgeting approximately $41 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip. Given the duration, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It is a straightforward trek that serves as a practical connection between the northern and southern parts of 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
133.2 miles from Leland, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
71.4 mi
1h 27m
North Martin Luther King Drive
46.2 mi
55m
Jerry Clower Boulevard
38.8 mi
47m
US 82
15.5 mi
18m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
I 20
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leland, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on North Broad Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Broad Street
2
Turn left onto South Deer Creek Drive East
0.6 mi·1 min·South Deer Creek Drive East
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 82; US 278
15 mi·18 min·US 82; US 278
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto US 49W
46 mi·55 min·North Martin Luther King Drive
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W
0.5 mi·53 sec·US 49W
Toward US 49 South: Jackson
6
Merge onto US 49
39 mi·47 min·Jerry Clower Boulevard
7
Take the exit onto US 49
4.9 mi·5 min·US 49
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
3.8 mi·5 min·US 49
9
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.1 mi·1 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
347 ft·4 sec·I 20; US 49
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
11
Take the exit onto US 49
0.6 mi·42 sec·US 49
Toward Hattiesburg
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
13
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
18
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
24
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Planning for a single, well-timed stop will help you break up the 4-hour and 32-minute journey comfortably. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, try to depart early in the day to avoid potential congestion on residential or town-specific stretches. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the stop-and-start nature of local roads can influence consumption differently than highway cruising. Since you are navigating through various local streets, rely on your GPS to manage the turns effectively. Use the flexibility of this shorter trip to adjust your pace, ensuring you feel refreshed by the time you reach West Gulfport.
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 133.2 miles from Leland, MS, or about 2h 44m 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 59 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.2 miles or 2h 44m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Leland, 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 Leland, MS
This is one driving day of about 266.5 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Leland, 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 111.6 and 206.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
111.6 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
194.7 mi into trip|~3h 59m 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
202.9 mi into trip|~4h 8m 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
206 mi into trip|~4h 12m 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
206.3 mi into trip|~4h 13m 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
$40.25 one way
$80.50 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$44.18
$88.36
premium
$4.56
$47.83
$95.67
diesel
$5.61
$58.84
$117.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80
0
$27.98
$12.79
Efficient EV
66.6
0
$23.32
$10.66
EV Truck/SUV
106.6
1
$37.31
$17.06
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Leland, MS
Night
in Leland on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Night
in West Gulfport on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
1 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
5h 26m 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.
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
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 101.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. You will begin your journey navigating local roads like South Deer Creek Drive East and North Martin Luther King Drive before transitioning onto US 49 South. With a highway share of 0%, this route prioritizes local navigation over high-speed interstate travel. The experience is defined by these technical, winding segments rather than long, monotonous stretches of highway. Be prepared for a varied pace as you move through these connecting roads, which offer a more hands-on driving experience than a standard freeway commute.
65% 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 111.6 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 266.5 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 111.6 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202.9 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 Leland, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Meridian, Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mobile - among others.
Meridian
111.6 mi in|~2h 17m|via I 20; US 49
Hattiesburg
111.6 mi in|~2h 17m|via I 20; US 49
Richland
112.2 mi in|~2h 18m|via US 49
Gulf Coast
194.7 mi in|~3h 59m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
195.1 mi in|~4h|via I 59
Mobile
202.9 mi in|~4h 8m|via US 98
Gulfport
206 mi in|~4h 12m
Multi Purpose Center
206.3 mi in|~4h 13m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 266.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m 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 West 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 111.6 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202.9 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at West Gulfport, MS before the return drive.
