Verona, MS to Gulfport, MS is 297.4 miles and takes about 5h 46m via I 59, US 49, and US Highway 45 Alternate, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Given its relatively short duration and mostly highway profile, this route is well-suited for a single-day drive. You'll find it a straightforward path, primarily on interstate highways, making for an efficient transit between your starting point and the coast.
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
148.7 miles from Verona, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m 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 20
8.1 mi
9m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
Martin Luther King Drive
6.5 mi
7m
US 45
3.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 88.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Traffic on I-59
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~976 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,182
Quietest
2 AM
~88 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
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 Verona, MS and Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on MS 145
138 ft·9 sec·Raymond Avenue
2
Turn left onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
4
Merge onto US 45; US 278
6.5 mi·7 min·Martin Luther King Drive
5
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
6
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
7
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
8
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
9
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
10
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
14
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
16
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.
17
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn straight onto US 49
4.5 mi·7 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 49
215 ft·16 sec·25th Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
US 49
Trip Plan
For this 5 hour and 46 minute drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and arrive comfortably. With a total distance of 297.4 miles, you can easily complete this in one day. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach your destination; while the estimated cost is $47, it's always wise to top off before reaching the coast. The longest stretch on I 59 is nearly 89 miles, so ensure you're set with snacks and drinks before embarking on that segment.
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 148.7 miles from Verona, MS, or about 2h 54m 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 65 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.7 miles or 2h 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 4h 40m
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 Verona, 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 Verona, MS
This is one driving day of about 297.4 miles and 5h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Verona, 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 142.5 and 234.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
142.5 mi into trip|~2h 48m 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
231.3 mi into trip|~4h 24m 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
234.4 mi into trip|~4h 28m 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
234.7 mi into trip|~4h 29m 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
6
234.9 mi into trip|~4h 29m in|US 49
Turn right onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.28 one way
$82.57 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$46.19
$92.38
premium
$4.29
$50.22
$100.44
diesel
$4.80
$56.15
$112.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.2
1
$31.23
$14.28
Efficient EV
74.4
0
$26.02
$11.90
EV Truck/SUV
119
1
$41.64
$19.03
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Verona, MS
Late night
in Verona on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
WNW 10 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Gulfport, MS
Late night
in Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
W 5 to 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
73°F
Newton, MS
149 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
1 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
5h 46m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a heavily highway-focused experience, with 97% of the drive on interstates and major highways. The longest continuous stretch without needing to exit is 88.7 miles, all on I 59. You'll notice a high concentration of exits and services along I 59, as it's the primary artery for this segment. The transition to US Highway 45 Alternate and then US 49 will signal a shift in scenery and traffic patterns.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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 142.5 miles in near I 59.
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 11 significant decision points across 297.4 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 142.5 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 231.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 234.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
445 ft20 ft
Total Climb
455 ft
Total Descent
757 ft
Highest Point
445 ft
~127.4 mi in
Elevation Range
425 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Verona, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans, Mobile, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
New Orleans
142.5 mi in|~2h 48m|via I 59
Mobile
231.3 mi in|~4h 24m|via US 98
Mississippi Gulf Coast
234.4 mi in|~4h 28m
Multi Purpose Center
234.7 mi in|~4h 29m
Hattiesburg
234.7 mi in|~4h 29m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 46m. Total distance: 297.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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.
Yes — we found about 8 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 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. There are 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 142.5 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 231.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 234.4 miles: 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 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.
