Southaven, MS to Gautier, MS is 376 miles and takes about 7h 14m via I 55 and Highway 49 South, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, heading southeast across the state. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a solid option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently between these two points.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
188 miles from Southaven, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
195.5 mi
3h 31m
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
44.1 mi
53m
Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
20.5 mi
24m
I 10
14.2 mi
15m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
Gautier Vancleave Road
3.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 195.5 mi, about 3h 31m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 57 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,443 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~141 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southaven, MS and Gautier, MS.
1
Start on Five Oaks Drive West
0.1 mi·30 sec·Five Oaks Drive West
2
Turn right onto Haleville Drive
0.2 mi·53 sec·Haleville Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto Millbranch Road
0.2 mi·38 sec·Millbranch Road
4
Turn right onto Stateline Road West
0.3 mi·29 sec·Stateline Road West
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
6
Merge onto I 55; I 69
195 mi·3 hr 31 min·I 55; I 69
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
9
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto US 49
42 mi·49 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward MS 67 South: D'Iberville, Biloxi
19
Continue on MS 67
20 mi·24 min·Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
20
Continue on I 110
0.1 mi·10 sec·I 110
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 4AToward I 10 East: Pascagoula, Mobile
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 10
23
Merge onto I 10
14 mi·15 min·I 10
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Gautier, Vancleave
25
Keep slight right at fork
500 ft·10 sec
26
Turn straight onto Gautier Vancleave Road
3.1 mi·5 min·Gautier Vancleave Road
27
Turn left onto US 90
2.4 mi·4 min·US 90
28
Turn left onto Oak Street
0.2 mi·46 sec·Oak Street
29
Turn right
248 ft·11 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, aim to depart in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight. With only two recommended stops and a long stretch of highway, planning your breaks is key. Consider stopping around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. Given the 376-mile distance, it's entirely manageable in a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could split it. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches with fewer services, and budget around $60 for gas.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 188 miles from Southaven, MS, or about 3h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195.5 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 83 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 188 miles or 3h 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 5h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gautier, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Southaven, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Southaven, MS
This is one driving day of about 376 miles and 7h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Southaven, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 195.5 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 0.3 and 291.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Millbranch Road
At end of road, turn left onto Millbranch Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
280.2 mi into trip|~5h 17m 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
288.3 mi into trip|~5h 26m 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
291.5 mi into trip|~5h 30m 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
291.8 mi into trip|~5h 31m 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
$57.79 one way
$115.58 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg132 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$63.92
$127.84
premium
$4.65
$68.79
$137.58
diesel
$5.35
$79.20
$158.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.8
1
$39.48
$18.05
Efficient EV
94
1
$32.90
$15.04
EV Truck/SUV
150.4
1
$52.64
$24.06
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Southaven, MS
Afternoon
in Southaven on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:37PM CDT until June 3 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:35PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Gautier, MS
Afternoon
in Gautier on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
W 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:37PM CDT until June 3 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:35PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
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
5 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
7h 14m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 194.5
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
National Monument
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 64.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 96% highway driving, so expect a lot of time on interstates and major U.S. highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 195.5 miles on I 55. You'll transition from the interstate to Highway 49 South, which will feel like a continuation of highway cruising for the majority of the trip before eventually shifting to more rural highway conditions as you approach your destination. The high percentage of highway driving means you'll likely notice frequent exits and a steady flow of traffic for much of the journey.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 195.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Highway 49 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Millbranch Road.
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 376 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 0.3 miles (Millbranch Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 280.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 288.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
467 ft16 ft
Total Climb
476 ft
Total Descent
770 ft
Highest Point
467 ft
~107.4 mi in
Elevation Range
451 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Southaven, MS and Gautier, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile and Gulfport - among others.
Gautier is a city of 18,000 people (2019) in Jackson County (Mississippi). Gautier is a bedroom resort community surrounded by bayous and wetlands on three sides. The natural environment of Gautier offers many opportunities for recreation and eco-tourism.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 14m. Total distance: 376 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 195.5 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Gautier, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Millbranch Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 280.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 288.3 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 and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gautier, MS before the return drive.
