Quitman to Gulfport is 144.7 miles and takes about 2h 55m via I 59 and US 49, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a drive that's predominantly on major highways, making it a straightforward and efficient journey. It's a solid choice for a single-day trip, particularly if you're looking for a direct route with minimal complexity. Plan for a quick transit that gets you to your destination without much fuss.
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
72.4 miles from Quitman, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 59
66.2 mi
1h 11m
US 49
62.4 mi
1h 17m
West Donald Street
7.7 mi
13m
MS 18
4.2 mi
6m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
South Archusa Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
West Depot Street
0.1 mi
<1m
25th Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 66.2 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quitman, MS and Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on MS 145
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Archusa Avenue
2
Turn right onto MS 512
0.1 mi·10 sec·West Depot Street
3
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 512
7.7 mi·13 min·West Donald Street
4
Turn right onto MS 18; MS 512
4.2 mi·6 min·MS 18; MS 512
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
6
Merge onto I 59
66 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn straight onto US 49
4.5 mi·7 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on US 49
215 ft·16 sec·25th Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
US 49
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short drive time of under 3 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you can leave anytime that suits your schedule. With only one recommended stop and a straightforward route, you'll want to maximize your time on the road. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $22, and it’s always wise to fill up before you hit the longest stretch on I 59 to avoid any potential delays. This is a great route for a spontaneous departure.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.4 miles from Quitman, MS, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.2 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 32 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.4 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 21m
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 Quitman, 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 Quitman, MS
This is one driving day of about 144.7 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Quitman, 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 66.2 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 82.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|MS 512 / West Depot Street
Turn right onto MS 512 / West Depot Street
Navigation decision point
7
78.6 mi into trip|~1h 32m 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
81.8 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
82.1 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
82.2 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|US 49
Turn right onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.85 one way
$43.71 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$23.99
$47.98
premium
$4.56
$25.97
$51.94
diesel
$5.61
$31.95
$63.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.4
0
$15.19
$6.95
Efficient EV
36.2
0
$12.66
$5.79
EV Truck/SUV
57.9
0
$20.26
$9.26
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Quitman, MS
Morning
in Quitman on Tuesday
Local time
7:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gulfport, MS
Morning
in Gulfport on Tuesday
Local time
7:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
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
4 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
2h 55m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily focused on highway driving, with 94% of your journey taking place on major roads like I 59 and US 49. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including a significant 66.2-mile segment on I 59. The character of the drive is primarily that of a fast-paced, efficient transit. While the bulk is highway, you will encounter some local road driving, particularly on West Donald Street near your destination. Expect a consistent driving pace for most of the trip.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.2 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near MS 512 / West Depot Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 144.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.1 miles (MS 512 / West Depot Street): Navigation decision point; at 78.6 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.8 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 Quitman, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Mobile, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 144.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.2 miles on I 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MS 512 / West Depot Street): Navigation decision point; at 78.6 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gulfport, MS before heading back.
