Richton, MS to West Gulfport, MS is 183 miles and takes about 3h 45m via Highway 49 South/US 49, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a straightforward drive that's primarily on well-maintained highways, making it a simple point-to-point journey. It’s ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without complex navigation or the need for an overnight stay, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
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
91.5 miles from Richton, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
62.1 mi
1h 16m
I 55
21.9 mi
25m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
Nissan Parkway
1.3 mi
2m
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Arkansas Avenue
<0.1 mi
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richton, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on this road
3.7 mi·6 min·this road
2
Turn right onto Nissan Parkway
1.3 mi·2 min·Nissan Parkway
3
Take the ramp
0.9 mi·1 min
4
Merge onto I 55
22 mi·25 min·I 55
5
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
7
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
18
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 45-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop and a highway-heavy route, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Plan your fuel stops strategically; while the fuel cost is estimated at $28, it’s always wise to fill up before embarking on the longest stretch of 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South to ensure uninterrupted progress. This route is best suited for direct travel, so minimize unnecessary detours to stick to your schedule.
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 91.5 miles from Richton, MS, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 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 40 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.5 miles or 1h 54m 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 5m
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 Richton, 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 Richton, MS
This is one driving day of about 183 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Richton, 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 Highway 49 South for about 80.3 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 28.7 and 122.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
28.7 mi into trip|~37m 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
111.2 mi into trip|~2h 18m 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
119.3 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
122.5 mi into trip|~2h 31m 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
122.8 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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
$27.64 one way
$55.27 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$30.34
$60.68
premium
$4.56
$32.85
$65.69
diesel
$5.61
$40.40
$80.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.9
0
$19.22
$8.78
Efficient EV
45.8
0
$16.01
$7.32
EV Truck/SUV
73.2
0
$25.62
$11.71
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Richton, MS
Late night
in Richton on Tuesday
Local time
3:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Late night
in West Gulfport on Tuesday
Local time
3:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Sumrall, MS
92 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
19 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 45m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the journey on major roadways. You'll spend most of your time on Highway 49 South and US 49, which are designed for steady travel. The longest stretch without a major change in route is 80.3 miles, allowing for extended periods of consistent driving. While the profile is predominantly highway, you'll experience a consistent flow as you make your way south, making it a predictable and generally smooth experience behind the wheel.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.3 mi on Highway 49 South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 49 South and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.7 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 14 significant decision points across 183 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 28.7 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.3 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 Richton, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile and Gulfport - among others.
Hattiesburg
27.8 mi in|~36m
Richland
28.7 mi in|~37m|via US 49
Gulf Coast
111.2 mi in|~2h 18m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
111.6 mi in|~2h 19m|via I 59
Mobile
119.3 mi in|~2h 27m|via US 98
Gulfport
122.5 mi in|~2h 31m
Multi Purpose Center
122.8 mi in|~2h 32m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 183 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 28.7 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.3 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at West Gulfport, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
