Union, MS to West Gulfport, MS is 108.8 miles and takes about 2h 15m via US 49 and US 84, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily stays within Mississippi, traversing the Southeast region. It's a straightforward highway-focused drive, making it an easy choice for a single-day trip. You'll find the journey efficient, allowing you to reach your destination without significant detours or extended travel time. Consider this a practical option when you need to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.4 miles from Union, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49
83 mi
1h 40m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 84
5.7 mi
6m
MS 37
4 mi
5m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
MS 532
2.7 mi
4m
Main Street
1.2 mi
1m
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 49
— 83 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on Jones Chapel Road
81 ft·3 sec·Jones Chapel Road
2
Turn right onto MS 532
2.7 mi·4 min·MS 532
3
Turn right onto MS 37
4.0 mi·5 min·MS 37
4
Turn right onto US 84
5.7 mi·6 min·US 84
5
Turn left onto MS 184
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward US 49 South: Hattiesburg
7
Merge onto US 49
22 mi·26 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
18
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes, this is a perfect same-day trip. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive well before evening. With a fuel cost estimated at $16 and no mandatory stops, your main consideration is finding a convenient time to leave. The longest stretch without a major road change is 83 miles on US 49, so plan for a single fuel stop if you prefer to top off before that segment. This route offers flexibility; you can depart whenever it suits you best and still have a smooth journey.
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 54.4 miles from Union, MS, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83 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 24 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.4 miles or 1h 9m 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 50m
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 Union, 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 Union, MS
This is one driving day of about 108.8 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Union, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 49 for about 83 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 37.1 and 48.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
37.1 mi into trip|~48m 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
37.4 mi into trip|~48m 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
45.2 mi into trip|~57m 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
48.4 mi into trip|~1h 1m 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
48.7 mi into trip|~1h 2m 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
$16.43 one way
$32.86 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$18.04
$36.08
premium
$4.56
$19.53
$39.06
diesel
$5.61
$24.02
$48.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.6
0
$11.42
$5.22
Efficient EV
27.2
0
$9.52
$4.35
EV Truck/SUV
43.5
0
$15.23
$6.96
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Union, MS
Morning
in Union on Sunday
Local time
6:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Morning
in West Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
6:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
16 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
2h 15m 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 trip is predominantly a highway experience, with 91% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on US 49, including an uninterrupted stretch of 83 miles. The route is characterized by its focus on main roads like US 49, Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, and US 84, suggesting a consistent pace. Expect a driving profile that prioritizes efficiency over winding scenic byways. The road character remains largely consistent, keeping you on track for your destination.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83 mi on US 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 37.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 108.8 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 37.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.4 miles (I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.2 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 Union, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile, Gulfport, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
Gulf Coast
37.1 mi in|~48m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
37.4 mi in|~48m|via I 59
Mobile
45.2 mi in|~57m|via US 98
Gulfport
48.4 mi in|~1h 1m
Multi Purpose Center
48.7 mi in|~1h 2m
Hattiesburg
48.7 mi in|~1h 2m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 108.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 37.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.4 miles (I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.2 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.
