Marks, MS to West Gulfport, MS is 324.5 miles and takes about 6h 21m via I 55 and US 49, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, connecting the Southeast region to itself. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day transit. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, with minimal deviations from the main interstates and highways.
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
162.2 miles from Marks, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
147.8 mi
2h 40m
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
62.1 mi
1h 16m
US 278
20.8 mi
29m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
Martin Luther King Junior Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 147.8 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 98 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,895 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~167 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Marks, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on 1st Street
138 ft·6 sec·1st Street
2
Turn right onto West Main Street
361 ft·17 sec·West Main Street
3
Turn right onto MS 3
0.3 mi·34 sec·Martin Luther King Junior Drive
4
Turn right onto US 278; MS 6
21 mi·29 min·US 278; MS 6
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
6
Merge onto I 55
148 mi·2 hr 40 min·I 55
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
9
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
20
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Marks to avoid any potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 147.8 miles on I 55, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before you hit that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach West Gulfport, as services might become less frequent on the final approach.
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 162.2 miles from Marks, MS, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.8 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 71 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.2 miles or 3h 4m 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 10m
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 Marks, 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 Marks, MS
This is one driving day of about 324.5 miles and 6h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Marks, 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 147.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 170.2 and 264.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
170.2 mi into trip|~3h 12m in|US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49 toward Richland, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
7
252.7 mi into trip|~4h 54m 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
260.8 mi into trip|~5h 3m 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
264 mi into trip|~5h 7m 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
264.3 mi into trip|~5h 8m 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
$50.51 one way
$101.03 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$55.69
$111.38
premium
$4.71
$60.19
$120.37
diesel
$6.18
$78.94
$157.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.4
1
$34.07
$15.58
Efficient EV
81.1
0
$28.39
$12.98
EV Truck/SUV
129.8
1
$45.43
$20.77
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Marks, MS
Late night
in Marks on Saturday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Clear
N 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 16 at 8:07PM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 3:05PM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Late night
in West Gulfport on Saturday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Cloudy
N 15 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 16 at 8:07PM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 3:05PM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
50°F
Sumrall, MS
162 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
8 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
6h 21m 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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 167.8
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 97% of this 324.5-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on I 55 covers 147.8 miles. Expect primarily highway cruising for the majority of your trip. The transition to surface roads will occur closer to your destination in West Gulfport.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 147.8 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Highway 49 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 170.2 miles in near US 49.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 324.5 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 170.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.8 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
446 ft25 ft
Total Climb
486 ft
Total Descent
623 ft
Highest Point
446 ft
~208.6 mi in
Elevation Range
422 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Marks, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile and Gulfport - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 21m. Total distance: 324.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 147.8 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 170.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.8 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 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 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 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.
