Origin
Starkville, MS
Late night in Starkville on Tuesday
Local time
3:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Starkville, MS to Gulfport, MS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 1m
Distance
257.4 mi
414 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 48m
★
6 AM
5h 1m
8 AM
5h 28m
10 AM
5h 11m
12 PM
5h 8m
3 PM
5h 12m
5 PM
5h 27m
8 PM
4h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Starkville, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Gulfport, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 259.4-mile drive from Starkville to Gulfport, Mississippi, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 4 hours and 6 minutes. You'll navigate primarily local roads, with a 0% highway share, making for a more connected journey through the Southeast. Budget approximately $40 for fuel, and plan for one stop along the way. The overall feel of this route is a turn-heavy local drive, offering a different pace than highway travel. It's a straightforward trip well-suited for a single day's travel.
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
128.7 miles from Starkville, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m 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 | 18.4 mi | 21m |
| I 20 | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| US 82 | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| US 45 | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| US 98 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 88.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Starkville, MS and Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on this road
290 ft
·
26 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
214 ft
·
16 sec
3
Continue on Victory Lane
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Victory Lane
4
Continue on Eckford Drive
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
Eckford Drive
5
Turn right onto MS 12
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
MS 12
6
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward MS 182 East
7
Turn straight onto MS 182
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Luther King, Junior Drive East
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Continue on MS 182
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 182 East
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward US 82 East, MS 12 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West Point
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto US 82; MS 12; MS 25
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 82; MS 12; MS 25
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward US 45 Alternate South: Meridian
12
Merge onto US 45 ALT
18 mi
·
21 min
·
US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Continue on US 45
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
US Highway 45 Aiternate
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 45
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
16
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
89 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
US 49
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn straight onto US 49
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on US 49
215 ft
·
16 sec
·
25th Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
US 49
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 6-minute duration and 259.4-mile length, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure. You can depart Starkville in the morning and arrive in Gulfport by afternoon. With only one recommended stop and a $40 fuel estimate, planning is simple. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the local road nature means you might pass fewer large, easily accessible gas stations than on an interstate. A good tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with MS 12, as it's a key artery for a significant part of your travel.
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 128.7 miles from Starkville, MS, or about 2h 31m 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 57 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.7 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
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 Starkville, 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 Starkville, MS
This is one driving day of about 257.4 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Starkville, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.7 miles from Starkville, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 4.3 and 194.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp toward US 82 East, MS 12 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West Point
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 82 East, MS 12 East, MS 25 North: Col...
8
102.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m 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
191.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m 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
194.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m 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
194.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m 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
$38.87 one way
$77.75 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $42.67 | $85.35 |
| premium | $4.56 | $46.20 | $92.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.83 | $113.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.2 | 0 | $27.03 | $12.36 |
| Efficient EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.52 | $10.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103 | 1 | $36.04 | $16.47 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Gulfport, MS
Late night in Gulfport on Tuesday
Local time
3:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Waynesboro, MS
129 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
3 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
5h 1m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 259.4-mile journey. With a 0% highway share, you'll be on roads like Victory Lane and Eckford Drive, and MS 12 for significant portions. This means you'll be engaging with the road more frequently, making frequent turns and adjustments. There is no longest uninterrupted stretch noted, suggesting a constant need for attention and navigation as you move through communities. The character of the drive is consistent, focusing on local passage rather than high-speed transit.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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 4.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 257.4 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 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.5 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.3 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Starkville, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans, Mobile, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
New Orleans
102.5 mi in
|
~2h 2m
|
via I 59
Mobile
191.3 mi in
|
~3h 38m
|
via US 98
Mississippi Gulf Coast
194.4 mi in
|
~3h 42m
Multi Purpose Center
194.7 mi in
|
~3h 43m
Hattiesburg
194.7 mi in
|
~3h 43m
About the Cities
Starting in Starkville, MS
Full guide →Starkville is a city in East Mississippi. Mississippi State University is located just to the east of the city limits, and is included in this article.
Arriving in Gulfport, MS
Full guide →Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 257.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.5 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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