Ridgeland, MS to Long Beach, MS is 172.7 miles and takes about 3h 35m via Highway 49 South and US 49, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traveling through the Southeast region. You'll mostly be on highways, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day trip, this route is ideal if you're looking for a quick connection between these two Mississippi locations.
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
86.4 miles from Ridgeland, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
59.9 mi
1h 12m
I 55
8.2 mi
10m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
Canal Road
2.9 mi
5m
Klondyke Road
2.3 mi
4m
I 10
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgeland, MS and Long Beach, MS.
1
Start on Old Town Crossing
41 ft·2 sec·Old Town Crossing
2
Turn right onto West Jackson Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·West Jackson Street
3
Turn slight right
223 ft·8 sec
4
Turn straight onto US 51
2.0 mi·3 min·United States Highway 51
5
Turn left onto I-55 Frontage Road
0.3 mi·28 sec·I-55 Frontage Road
6
Continue on I- 55 North Frontage Road
442 ft·7 sec·I- 55 North Frontage Road
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
8
Merge onto I 55
8.2 mi·10 min·I 55
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
11
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
16
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 8 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 10 West: New Orleans
21
Merge onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·I 10
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward Canal Road
23
Keep slight left at fork
152 ft·3 sec
24
Turn left onto Canal Road
2.9 mi·5 min·Canal Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Turn right onto 28th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·28th Street
26
Turn left onto Klondyke Road
2.3 mi·4 min·Klondyke Road
27
Turn sharp left onto West Railroad Street
149 ft·3 sec·West Railroad Street
28
Arrive at destination
West Railroad Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3h 35m drive, aim for an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you get closer to Long Beach. The 172.7-mile distance is easily manageable in a single day. You'll want to plan for at least one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, though with the highway nature, you can be flexible. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach the coast; while the estimated cost is $26, it's always wise to refuel before hitting the final stretch, especially before the longest 80.3-mile segment on Highway 49 South.
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 86.4 miles from Ridgeland, MS, or about 1h 47m 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 38 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.4 miles or 1h 47m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Long Beach, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ridgeland, 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 Ridgeland, MS
This is one driving day of about 172.7 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Ridgeland, 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.9 and 106 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
11.9 mi into trip|~16m 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
94.4 mi into trip|~1h 57m 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
102.5 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
105.7 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
106 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
$26.08 one way
$52.16 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$28.63
$57.26
premium
$4.56
$31.00
$62.00
diesel
$5.61
$38.13
$76.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.8
0
$18.13
$8.29
Efficient EV
43.2
0
$15.11
$6.91
EV Truck/SUV
69.1
0
$24.18
$11.05
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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 19, 2026
Origin
Ridgeland, MS
Late night
in Ridgeland on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
N 10 to 15 mph77% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Long Beach, MS
Late night
in Long Beach on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 to 20 mph71% chanceLive forecast
58°F
Sumrall, MS
86 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
6 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 35m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 route is predominantly highway driving, with 90% of the trip on major roads. You'll encounter an 80.3-mile stretch on Highway 49 South without needing to exit. Expect a consistent highway experience for most of the 172.7 miles, with a lower number of surface road transitions. The frequent exits on the highway sections mean you'll pass through many developed areas.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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?
10/10
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 11.9 miles in near US 49.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 172.7 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 11.9 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.5 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 Ridgeland, MS and Long Beach, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile and Gulfport - among others.
Hattiesburg
11 mi in|~14m
Richland
11.9 mi in|~16m|via US 49
Gulf Coast
94.4 mi in|~1h 57m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
94.8 mi in|~1h 58m|via I 59
Mobile
102.5 mi in|~2h 6m|via US 98
Gulfport
105.7 mi in|~2h 10m
Multi Purpose Center
106 mi in|~2h 11m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 35m. Total distance: 172.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). 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.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Long Beach, 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.9 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.5 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 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Long Beach, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
