Traveling from Sumrall to West Gulfport covers 85.4 miles of Mississippi terrain, typically requiring about 1 hour and 29 minutes of travel time. Because of the manageable duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. The route primarily takes you through the Southeast region of the state, transitioning from inland Sumrall toward the coastal environment of West Gulfport. Since there are no required stops, you have the flexibility to drive straight through or build in your own breaks along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.7 miles from Sumrall, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49
65.4 mi
1h 19m
MS 42
7.9 mi
11m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Jackson Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Pennsylvania Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Poplar Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 49
— 65.4 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sumrall, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on Jackson Street
407 ft·18 sec·Jackson Street
2
Continue on Pennsylvania Avenue
365 ft·18 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue
3
Turn right onto Poplar Street
263 ft·13 sec·Poplar Street
4
Turn right onto MS 42
7.9 mi·11 min·MS 42
5
Continue on US 49; MS 42
4.0 mi·5 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
16
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1-hour and 29-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for off-peak hours can help you avoid traffic during the transition onto I-59 South. Since the drive is relatively short, you don't necessarily need a strict itinerary, but keeping your fuel budget of $13 in mind will help you plan your trip costs accurately. Because this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your GPS is updated and ready to handle the specific local streets like Poplar and Pennsylvania Avenue before you pull out of your driveway. Prioritize a quick vehicle check before you leave Sumrall, as the local road nature of the trip means you will be navigating several distinct segments rather than just cruising on a single highway.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 42.7 miles from Sumrall, MS, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.4 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.7 miles or 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 1h 30m
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 Sumrall, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sumrall, MS
This is one driving day of about 85.3 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Sumrall, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 49 for about 65.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.6 and 25.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
13.6 mi into trip|~19m 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
6
14 mi into trip|~20m in|I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
7
21.7 mi into trip|~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
24.9 mi into trip|~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
25.2 mi into trip|~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
$12.88 one way
$25.76 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$14.14
$28.28
premium
$4.56
$15.31
$30.62
diesel
$5.61
$18.83
$37.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.6
0
$8.96
$4.09
Efficient EV
21.3
0
$7.46
$3.41
EV Truck/SUV
34.1
0
$11.94
$5.46
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Sumrall, MS
Late night
in Sumrall on Tuesday
Local time
3:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Late night
in West Gulfport on Tuesday
Local time
3:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
1h 46m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is defined as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint. You will navigate via Pennsylvania Avenue, Poplar Street, and I-59 South, which creates a blend of local navigation and highway travel. Because the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a more involved experience behind the wheel that requires frequent attention to turns and transitions. The route lacks a singular, long, uninterrupted stretch, so your focus will remain consistent as you move between local roads and the primary transit corridors. It is an active driving experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.4 mi on US 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and MS 42. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.6 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.3 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles (I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 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
295 ft170 ft
Total Climb
0 ft
Total Descent
125 ft
Highest Point
295 ft
Elevation Range
125 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sumrall, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile, Gulfport, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
Gulf Coast
13.6 mi in|~19m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
14 mi in|~20m|via I 59
Mobile
21.7 mi in|~28m|via US 98
Gulfport
24.9 mi in|~32m
Multi Purpose Center
25.2 mi in|~33m
Hattiesburg
25.2 mi in|~33m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 85.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m 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 65.4 miles on US 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles (I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at West Gulfport, MS before heading back.
