Origin
Meridian, MS
Night in Meridian on Saturday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Meridian, MS to West Gulfport, MS
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h
Distance
156.9 mi
252 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 49m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Meridian, MS
Wikimedia Commons
West Gulfport, MS
N Qurash
Trip Overview
This 156.9-mile drive from Meridian, MS, to West Gulfport, MS, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours to complete. Primarily utilizing I-59, US-49, and US-98, the route is almost entirely highway, making it a straightforward journey through Mississippi. With a projected fuel cost of around $24, this is an economical option for a quick trip. Since the origin and destination are both within the Southeast region, you'll experience a consistent feel throughout. This route is ideal for those seeking an efficient way to cover ground without needing to break it up over multiple days.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.4 miles from Meridian, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 88.7 mi | 1h 36m |
| US 49 | 59.9 mi | 1h 12m |
| US 98 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| I 20 | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| 8th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Airport Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Frontage Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 88.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meridian, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on 25th Avenue
272 ft
·
17 sec
·
25th Avenue
2
Turn left onto 8th Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
8th Street
3
Turn left onto MS 19
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Airport Boulevard
4
Turn right onto North Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
North Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 20; I 59; US 80
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 20; I 59; US 80
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
89 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
US 49
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft
·
14 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
14
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft
·
0 sec
·
Arkansas Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. You can easily start in the morning and arrive by midday, or depart later and reach West Gulfport in the evening. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to pull over for a break or push through, depending on your preference. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without exits is considerable. A practical tip for this route is to ensure you have a full tank before embarking on the 88.7-mile segment on I-59 to maximize convenience.
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 78.4 miles from Meridian, MS, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.7 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 35 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.4 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 26m
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 Meridian, 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 Meridian, MS
This is one driving day of about 156.9 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Meridian, 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 59 for about 88.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.4 miles from Meridian, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 96.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
4.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 59
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
7
93.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m 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
96.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m 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
96.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m 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
6
96.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
US 49
Turn right onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.70 one way
$47.39 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $26.01 | $52.02 |
| premium | $4.56 | $28.16 | $56.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.64 | $69.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.1 | 0 | $16.47 | $7.53 |
| Efficient EV | 39.2 | 0 | $13.73 | $6.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.8 | 0 | $21.97 | $10.04 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Night in West Gulfport on Saturday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
SE 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
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
14 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
3h on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 98% of this journey, totaling 156.9 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 88.7 miles on I-59. This means you'll spend the majority of your time on high-speed, limited-access roads, facilitating swift progress. The character of the drive remains consistent, emphasizing efficiency over varied scenery. You'll experience the typical flow of interstate travel, punctuated by the transition to US-49 and US-98 as you approach your destination.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.7 mi on I 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 49. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in near I 59.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 156.9 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles: 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Meridian, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Mobile, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
Mobile
93.3 mi in
|
~1h 42m
|
via US 98
Gulfport
96.5 mi in
|
~1h 47m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
96.5 mi in
|
~1h 47m
Multi Purpose Center
96.8 mi in
|
~1h 47m
Hattiesburg
96.8 mi in
|
~1h 47m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 156.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.7 miles on I 59. 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 4.6 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at West Gulfport, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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