Spanning 348 miles across Mississippi, this journey from Ripley to Gulfport takes approximately 5 hours and 28 minutes of drive time. While it is technically possible to complete this trip in a single day, be prepared for a significant amount of time behind the wheel. You will primarily navigate via South Main Street, City Avenue South, and I-22 East to reach the Gulf Coast. Budgeting around $53 for fuel should cover your needs, though it is wise to keep an eye on fluctuating pump prices. Because you are traveling from the northern reaches of the state down to the southern coast, you will experience a distinct transition in the Mississippi landscape. This route is best suited for travelers who prefer a steady, direct path across the state rather than a leisurely multi-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
173.5 miles from Ripley, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 59
88.7 mi
1h 36m
US 49
62.4 mi
1h 17m
US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 45 Alternate
54.7 mi
1h 6m
I 22
21.8 mi
23m
City Avenue South
20.2 mi
30m
US 45
18 mi
21m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 88.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ripley, MS and Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on West Walnut Street
457 ft·22 sec·West Walnut Street
2
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
3
Turn right onto MS 15
20 mi·30 min·City Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: TupeloUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 22; US 78
22 mi·23 min·I 22; US 78
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward US 45:south: Tupelo
7
Merge onto US 45
14 mi·17 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
9
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
10
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
11
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
12
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
13
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
17
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
89 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New OrleansUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn straight onto US 49
4.5 mi·7 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 49
215 ft·16 sec·25th Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
US 49
Trip Plan
To keep your energy high during this 348-mile trek, plan for at least one substantial stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the drive is quite long, departing early in the morning allows you to avoid the bulk of midday traffic and reach the coast before nightfall. Keep your navigation tools handy, as the reliance on local roads like South Main Street and City Avenue South means you will encounter frequent turns that are easy to miss. Prioritize your $53 fuel budget by topping off your tank before leaving Ripley to avoid unnecessary stops in more remote areas. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so monitor your fatigue levels and pull over safely whenever you need a break.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 173.5 miles from Ripley, MS, or about 3h 30m 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 76 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.5 miles or 3h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 36m
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 Ripley, 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 Ripley, MS
This is one driving day of about 347.1 miles and 6h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Ripley, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.7 and 284.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
20.7 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the ramp toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo
8
192.3 mi into trip|~3h 52m 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
281 mi into trip|~5h 28m 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
284.2 mi into trip|~5h 32m 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
284.5 mi into trip|~5h 33m 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
$52.42 one way
$104.84 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$57.54
$115.09
premium
$4.56
$62.30
$124.60
diesel
$5.61
$76.64
$153.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.1
1
$36.45
$16.66
Efficient EV
86.8
0
$30.37
$13.88
EV Truck/SUV
138.8
1
$48.59
$22.21
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Ripley, MS
Evening
in Ripley on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 10 to 15 mph92% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Gulfport, MS
Evening
in Gulfport on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Meridian, MS
174 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
17 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
6h 51m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Tupelo National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 35.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the highway share is 0%, you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating local roads and surface streets rather than high-speed thoroughfares. This setup creates a more hands-on driving experience where you will constantly adjust to changing speed limits and intersection turns. Without long stretches of open highway, the pace remains measured and requires more concentration than a standard freeway trek. Plan for a driving rhythm that emphasizes local connectivity as you make your way south.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 347.1 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 20.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.3 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281 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 Ripley, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans, Mobile, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
New Orleans
192.3 mi in|~3h 52m|via I 59
Mobile
281 mi in|~5h 28m|via US 98
Mississippi Gulf Coast
284.2 mi in|~5h 32m
Multi Purpose Center
284.5 mi in|~5h 33m
Hattiesburg
284.5 mi in|~5h 33m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 51m. Total distance: 347.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 51m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 20.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.3 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Tupelo National Battlefield and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gulfport, MS before the return drive.
