Oxford, MS to West Gulfport, MS is 315.9 miles and takes about 6h 9m via MS 7 and US 49, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traveling from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day trip, this route is ideal for a direct journey between these two points, allowing ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
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
158 miles from Oxford, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 7
144.2 mi
2h 39m
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
62.1 mi
1h 16m
I 55
15.6 mi
18m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
University Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
South Lamar Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
MS 7
— 144.2 mi, about 2h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oxford, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on Courthouse Square
148 ft·11 sec·Courthouse Square
2
Continue on Courthouse Square
92 ft·4 sec·Courthouse Square
3
Turn right
55 ft·2 sec
4
Turn right onto South Lamar Boulevard
0.1 mi·26 sec·South Lamar Boulevard
5
Turn left onto MS 314
0.7 mi·1 min·University Avenue
6
Enter roundabout
36 ft·0 sec
7
Continue
0.2 mi·19 sec
8
Merge onto MS 7
6.8 mi·9 min·MS 7
9
Enter roundabout onto MS 7
124 ft·1 sec·MS 7
Toward MS 7 South: Water Valley
10
Continue on MS 7
36 mi·41 min·MS 7
Toward MS 7 South: Water Valley
11
Take the exit onto MS 7
101 mi·1 hr 48 min·MS 7
12
Continue on I 55
16 mi·18 min·I 55
13
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
15
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
20
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
25
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
26
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, leaving Oxford in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan it strategically for a meal or break around the halfway point. The fuel cost is estimated at $48, so ensure your tank is full before departing. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time. Keep an eye out for the transition from MS 7 to US 49, as this is a key change in the road you'll be following.
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 158 miles from Oxford, MS, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.2 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 69 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158 miles or 2h 57m 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 1m
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 Oxford, 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 Oxford, MS
This is one driving day of about 315.9 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Oxford, 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 MS 7 for about 144.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 161.7 and 255.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
161.7 mi into trip|~3h 1m 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
244.2 mi into trip|~4h 43m 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
252.3 mi into trip|~4h 52m 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
255.5 mi into trip|~4h 56m 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
255.8 mi into trip|~4h 56m 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
$47.71 one way
$95.42 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$52.37
$104.74
premium
$4.56
$56.70
$113.40
diesel
$5.61
$69.75
$139.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.8
1
$33.17
$15.16
Efficient EV
79
0
$27.64
$12.64
EV Truck/SUV
126.4
1
$44.23
$20.22
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Oxford, MS
Late night
in Oxford on Tuesday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Late night
in West Gulfport on Tuesday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
84°F
Florence, MS
158 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
5 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 9m 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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 152.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to be on highways for about 97% of this 315.9-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 144.2 miles, found on MS 7. After the highway portions conclude, you'll transition to surface roads closer to West Gulfport. This route features a high percentage of highway driving, so be prepared for merging traffic and multiple exits as you approach populated areas.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.2 mi on MS 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 7 and Highway 49 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 161.7 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 19 significant decision points across 315.9 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 161.7 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.3 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 Oxford, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile and Gulfport - among others.
Oxford is a historic, picturesque town in North Central Mississippi. With its scenic town square, acclaimed restaurants, unique boutiques, oak-shaded neighborhoods, and friendly people, Oxford is the model Southern town. Named after Oxford, England, in hopes of attracting a university, the town was selected as the home of the University of Mississippi in 1848, which dominates life here today.
Top landmarks
•Rowan Oak — William Faulkner's former home in Oxford, Mississippi
•Barnard Observatory — observatory at the University of Mississippi, USA
•Lyceum-The Circle Historic District — collection of historic buildings at the University of Mississippi in Oxford (USA...
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 9m. Total distance: 315.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 144.2 miles on MS 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 161.7 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.3 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 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.
