New Hope, MS to West Gulfport, MS is 255.6 miles and takes about 5h 1m via I 59 and US 49, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, crossing the Southeast region. Expect a straightforward drive with minimal time off the main highways. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without much fuss.
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
127.8 miles from New Hope, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 59
88.7 mi
1h 36m
US 45
85.8 mi
1h 39m
US 49
59.9 mi
1h 12m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
MS 182
6.1 mi
10m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
New Hope Road
1.9 mi
4m
Main Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 88.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Traffic on I-59
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~969 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,202
Quietest
1 AM
~89 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 New Hope, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on New Hope Road
1.9 mi·4 min·New Hope Road
2
Turn left onto MS 182
6.1 mi·10 min·MS 182
Use the straight lane.
3
Enter roundabout onto MS 69; MS 182
60 ft·1 sec·Main Street
4
Continue on MS 69; MS 182
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
6
Merge onto US 45; US 82; MS 12
2.8 mi·3 min·US 45; US 82; MS 12
7
Take the exit onto US 45
0.2 mi·43 sec·US 45
Toward US 45 South: Macon, Meridian
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45
135 ft·7 sec·US 45
Toward US 45 South: Macon, Meridian
9
Turn left onto US 45
15 mi·16 min·US 45
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on US 45
64 mi·1 hr 13 min·US 45
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
13
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
89 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New OrleansUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
22
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, leaving New Hope in the morning is recommended to ensure you arrive in West Gulfport with plenty of daylight. The route has only one recommended stop, suggesting you can make good time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 88.7-mile stretch on I 59, as services can be spread out on interstates. The $37 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to have a bit extra on hand. Since it's a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart a little later if needed.
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 127.8 miles from New Hope, MS, or about 2h 33m 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 56 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.8 miles or 2h 33m 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 5m
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 New Hope, 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 New Hope, MS
This is one driving day of about 255.6 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from New Hope, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.9 and 195.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
11.9 mi into trip|~21m in|US 45
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Macon, Meridian
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 45 South: Macon, Meridian
8
103.2 mi into trip|~2h 7m 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
192 mi into trip|~3h 43m 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
195.1 mi into trip|~3h 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
195.4 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
$39.12 one way
$78.25 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$43.33
$86.66
premium
$4.65
$46.78
$93.57
diesel
$6.28
$63.16
$126.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.7
0
$26.84
$12.27
Efficient EV
63.9
0
$22.37
$10.22
EV Truck/SUV
102.2
1
$35.78
$16.36
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
New Hope, MS
Morning
in New Hope on Friday
Local time
6:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Morning
in West Gulfport on Friday
Local time
6:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
45°F
Waynesboro, MS
128 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
3 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 1m 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 route is almost entirely highway driving, with a 99% highway share. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on I 59, covering 88.7 miles. Expect a mostly highway profile for the majority of the trip, transitioning to surface roads only near the end. You'll notice the frequent exits and merging traffic typical of major interstates.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.9 miles in near US 45.
Driving Effort9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 255.6 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 11.9 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.2 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192 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
369 ft25 ft
Total Climb
391 ft
Total Descent
593 ft
Highest Point
369 ft
~92.4 mi in
Elevation Range
344 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New Hope, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans, Mobile, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 255.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). 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.
Yes — we found about 8 rest areas or service plazas 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.9 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.2 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192 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 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 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.
