Traveling from Ocean Springs to Brandon is a straightforward 161-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 28 minutes. Because this route is entirely within Mississippi, you will stay within the Southeast region for the duration of your trip. It works perfectly as a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting roughly $25 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since the drive is focused on highways, it is a practical choice for those who want to get from the coast to the interior of the state efficiently.
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
80.5 miles from Ocean Springs, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49
105.6 mi
2h 9m
Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
20.4 mi
23m
Highway 18
16 mi
23m
Highway 13 North
9 mi
13m
Washington Avenue
3.3 mi
6m
Louis Wilson Drive
2.6 mi
4m
I 10
2.2 mi
2m
East Government Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 49
— 105.6 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ocean Springs, MS and Brandon, MS.
1
Start on Washington Avenue
3.3 mi·6 min·Washington Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
2
Turn left
0.4 mi·49 sec
3
Merge onto I 10
2.2 mi·2 min·I 10
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 46D-BToward I 110, MS 15, MS 67: Biloxi, Keesler Air Force Base
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 46CToward MS 15, MS 67: MS 15, MS 67
7
Merge onto MS 15; MS 67
20 mi·23 min·Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward US 49 North: Hattiesburg, Jackson
9
Merge onto US 49
40 mi·46 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 49
2.4 mi·2 min·US 49
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto US 49
10 mi·16 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 49; MS 42
5.4 mi·6 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 49
5.3 mi·6 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 49
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 49
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 49
4.2 mi·4 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 49
38 mi·46 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
18
Turn right onto MS 13
9.0 mi·13 min·Highway 13 North
19
Turn left onto MS 18
16 mi·23 min·Highway 18
20
Turn right onto Louis Wilson Drive
2.6 mi·4 min·Louis Wilson Drive
21
At end of road, turn left onto US 80
0.3 mi·23 sec·East Government Street
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
US 80
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid potential traffic. Planning for at least one stop along the way will help you break up the 161-mile trek and keep you refreshed. Given the heavy reliance on US 49 for the majority of your travel, stay alert for changes in speed limits as you transition between sections. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting the longest 105.6-mile stretch to ensure you don't have to worry about finding a station in the middle of that segment. Taking advantage of the single recommended stop will make the three-and-a-half-hour drive feel much more manageable.
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 80.5 miles from Ocean Springs, MS, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.6 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 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.5 miles or 1h 42m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brandon, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ocean Springs, 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 Ocean Springs, MS
This is one driving day of about 161 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Ocean Springs, 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 US 49 for about 105.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.8 and 160.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.8 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward I 110, MS 15, MS 67: Biloxi, Keesler Air Force Base
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 46D-B
Toward I 110, MS 15, MS 67: Biloxi, Keesler Air...
5
6 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
6.2 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MS 15, MS 67: MS 15, MS 67
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 46C
Toward MS 15, MS 67: MS 15, MS 67
6
27 mi into trip|~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 49 North: Hattiesburg, Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 49 North: Hattiesburg, Jackson
6
160.8 mi into trip|~3h 27m in|US 80 / East Government Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 80 / East Government Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.31 one way
$48.63 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$26.69
$53.38
premium
$4.56
$28.90
$57.80
diesel
$5.61
$35.55
$71.09
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: 56.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.3
0
$16.90
$7.73
Efficient EV
40.3
0
$14.09
$6.44
EV Truck/SUV
64.4
0
$22.54
$10.30
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 21, 2026
Origin
Ocean Springs, MS
Late night
in Ocean Springs on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Brandon, MS
Late night
in Brandon on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph0% chanceLive 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
8 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 28m 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.
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 161
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive relies heavily on US 49, the Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway, and Highway 18 to keep you moving toward your destination. With 95% of your travel taking place on highways, you can expect a consistent pace throughout the ride. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the longest stretch of the trip, which covers 105.6 miles on US 49. The road maintains a steady, functional character that prioritizes directness over winding, local backroads. Expect a reliable, predictable experience behind the wheel that allows you to focus on the road ahead.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.6 mi on US 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 161 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 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
471 ft21 ft
Total Climb
753 ft
Total Descent
303 ft
Highest Point
471 ft
~161 mi in
Elevation Range
449 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ocean Springs, MS to Brandon, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Jackson
27 mi in|~34m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 28m. Total distance: 161 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.6 miles on US 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 Brandon, 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Brandon, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
