Raleigh, MS to Gulfport, MS is 130.7 miles and takes about 2h 47m via US 49 and MS 35, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's perfect for a single day. You'll likely appreciate the efficient route if you're looking to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Consider this a reliable option when you need to cover ground comfortably.
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
65.4 miles from Raleigh, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49
94.6 mi
1h 56m
MS 35
12.4 mi
18m
Oak Street
10 mi
14m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
MS 28
1.3 mi
2m
South Main Street
0.6 mi
1m
25th Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 49
— 94.6 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh, MS and Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on Sylvarena Avenue
169 ft·7 sec·Sylvarena Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto MS 35
12 mi·18 min·MS 35
3
At end of road, turn right onto MS 28; MS 35
1.3 mi·2 min·MS 28; MS 35
4
Turn left onto MS 35
10 mi·14 min·Oak Street
5
Turn left onto MS 149
0.6 mi·1 min·South Main Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 49
31 mi·37 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn straight onto US 49
4.5 mi·7 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 49
215 ft·16 sec·25th Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
US 49
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 3 hours, this is an ideal same-day trip, so you have flexibility on when to depart. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the 130.7-mile journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $20, so plan accordingly. Given the longest stretch is 94.6 miles, you might only need one brief stop for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye out for the transition onto MS 35, as this marks a change in the road character before you reach Gulfport.
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 65.4 miles from Raleigh, MS, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.6 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 29 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.4 miles or 1h 25m 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 16m
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 Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, MS
This is one driving day of about 130.7 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Raleigh, 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 94.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 24.4 and 68.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
24.4 mi into trip|~36m in|US 49
At end of road, turn left onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
56.5 mi into trip|~1h 16m 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
64.6 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
67.8 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
68.1 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
$19.74 one way
$39.48 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$21.67
$43.34
premium
$4.56
$23.46
$46.92
diesel
$5.61
$28.86
$57.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.2
0
$13.72
$6.27
Efficient EV
32.7
0
$11.44
$5.23
EV Truck/SUV
52.3
0
$18.30
$8.36
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 21, 2026
Origin
Raleigh, MS
Late night
in Raleigh on Tuesday
Local time
5:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gulfport, MS
Late night
in Gulfport on Tuesday
Local time
5:39 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 47m 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 largely a highway-focused drive, with 85% of it on high-speed roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 94.6 miles primarily on US 49, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of the journey. While mainly highway, expect to transition onto MS 35 and eventually Oak Street, which might offer a slightly different driving feel as you approach your destination. The overall character is one of smooth, direct travel, minimizing complexity and maximizing forward momentum.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.6 mi on US 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and MS 35. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 24.4 miles in near US 49.
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 130.7 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 24.4 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 56.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.6 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 Raleigh, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 130.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.6 miles on US 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 24.4 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 56.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.6 miles (US 98): 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.
