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Trip from Philadelphia, MS to Gulfport, MS

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 58m

Distance

195.2 mi

314 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 46m ★
6 AM
3h 59m
8 AM
4h 25m
10 AM
4h 8m
12 PM
4h 5m
3 PM
4h 9m
5 PM
4h 23m
8 PM
3h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Mississippi, USA

Philadelphia, MS

Wikimedia Commons

city in Mississippi, USA

Gulfport, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 195.2-mile journey from Philadelphia, Mississippi, to Gulfport, Mississippi, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 58 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing I-59 and US-49, with a portion on Holland Avenue, this route focuses heavily on highway travel. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $29, making it an economical choice. Given its straightforward nature and manageable duration, it's well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, offering a consistent regional experience throughout your drive.

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

97.6 miles from Philadelphia, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 59 88.7 mi 1h 36m
US 49 62.4 mi 1h 17m
Holland Avenue 36.6 mi 54m
US 98 3.2 mi 4m
I 20 1.6 mi 1m
Airport Boulevard 1.1 mi 1m
Main Street 0.6 mi 1m
North Frontage Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 59 — 88.7 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, MS and Gulfport, MS.

1

Start on Front Street

229 ft · 16 sec · Front Street
2

Turn left onto MS 16; MS 19; MS 21

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street
3

Turn right onto MS 19

37 mi · 54 min · Holland Avenue
4

Turn right onto MS 19

1.1 mi · 1 min · Airport Boulevard
5

Turn right onto North Frontage Road

0.2 mi · 15 sec · North Frontage Road
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7

Merge onto I 20; I 59; US 80

1.6 mi · 1 min · I 20; I 59; US 80
8

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.
9

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.
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Turn right onto US 49

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US 49
Use the straight lane.
13

Turn straight onto US 49

4.5 mi · 7 min · US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
14

Continue on US 49

215 ft · 16 sec · 25th Avenue
15

Arrive at destination

US 49

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 1-day trip, consider an early morning departure from Philadelphia to maximize your time in Gulfport. With a driving duration under 4 hours, you won't need to split this drive, giving you the advantage of flexibility. The longest stretch without a major town is on I-59, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach that 88.7-mile stretch, and plan for a brief stop if needed. The estimated fuel cost of $29 suggests that filling up before you leave Philadelphia should be sufficient for the entire journey.

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 97.6 miles from Philadelphia, MS, or about 2h 2m 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 43 miles or 1h 2m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 97.6 miles or 2h 2m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, MS

This is one driving day of about 195.2 miles and 3h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Philadelphia, 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.

city in Mississippi, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ellisville, MS

98 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

Meridian, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ellisville, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 97.6 miles from Philadelphia, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 40.4 and 132.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
40.4 mi into trip | ~1h 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
129.1 mi into trip | ~2h 36m 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
132.3 mi into trip | ~2h 40m 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
132.6 mi into trip | ~2h 41m 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
132.7 mi into trip | ~2h 41m in | US 49

Turn right onto US 49

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.48 one way

$58.96 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $32.36 $64.72
premium $4.56 $35.04 $70.07
diesel $5.61 $43.10 $86.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.6 0 $20.50 $9.37
Efficient EV 48.8 0 $17.08 $7.81
EV Truck/SUV 78.1 0 $27.33 $12.49

Gas CO2

68 kg

EV CO2

23 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 20, 2026

Origin

Philadelphia, MS

Late night in Philadelphia on Tuesday

Local time

5:26 AM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gulfport, MS

Late night in Gulfport on Tuesday

Local time

5:26 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

84°F

Ellisville, MS

98 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

1 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

3h 58m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 80% of the route being on interstates and major highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 88.7 miles along I-59, so be prepared for sustained driving on this section. While the majority of the trip involves higher speeds on well-maintained roads, the transition onto US-49 and Holland Avenue will introduce you to a more local driving feel. This mix means you'll experience both efficient highway cruising and potentially more varied road conditions as you approach your destination.

80% 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 40.4 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 195.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 40.4 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.1 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.3 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.

Between Philadelphia, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans, Mobile, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.

New Orleans

40.4 mi in | ~1h | via I 59

Mobile

129.1 mi in | ~2h 36m | via US 98

Mississippi Gulf Coast

132.3 mi in | ~2h 40m

Multi Purpose Center

132.6 mi in | ~2h 41m

Hattiesburg

132.6 mi in | ~2h 41m

About the Cities

Arriving in Gulfport, MS

Full guide →

Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 195.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). 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 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 40.4 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.1 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at 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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