Spanning 201.2 miles across Mississippi, this journey from Vicksburg to Gulfport connects the river bluffs to the Gulf Coast in roughly 4 hours and 5 minutes. You will spend the vast majority of your time on Highway 49 South, making this a straightforward, highway-focused drive that is easily manageable in a single day. Budgeting about $31 for fuel is a safe estimate for most standard vehicles. Because the entire route stays within the Southeast region of Mississippi, the transition from inland terrain to the coast is smooth and consistent. It is an efficient path that works perfectly for a day trip, allowing you to reach the water without needing an overnight stop.
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
100.6 miles from Vicksburg, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
65.2 mi
1h 21m
I 20
41.1 mi
46m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
Clay Street
2.2 mi
3m
Cherry Street
0.2 mi
<1m
25th Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vicksburg, MS and Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on Jackson Street
57 ft·8 sec·Jackson Street
2
Turn left onto Cherry Street
0.2 mi·54 sec·Cherry Street
3
Turn left onto US 80 Historic
2.2 mi·3 min·Clay Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
5
Merge onto I 20; US 61; US 80
0.3 mi·19 sec·I 20; US 61; US 80
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 80
40 mi·44 min·I 20; US 80
7
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.1 mi·1 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
347 ft·4 sec·I 20; US 49
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
9
Take the exit onto US 49
0.6 mi·42 sec·US 49
Toward Hattiesburg
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
11
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
16
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn straight onto US 49
4.5 mi·7 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 49
215 ft·16 sec·25th Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
US 49
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively quick 4-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the route only requires one planned stop to break up the journey, use that time to stretch your legs and refuel before hitting the final leg toward the coast. Pay close attention to traffic patterns on US 49, as this primary artery carries the bulk of the trip's volume. Because the drive is short, you can comfortably make the trip in one go, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge during that 80.3-mile stretch on Highway 49 to avoid any unnecessary stress. Planning for a mid-morning start will help you avoid peak congestion and arrive in Gulfport with plenty of daylight left.
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 100.6 miles from Vicksburg, MS, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 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 44 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.6 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 19m
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 Vicksburg, 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 Vicksburg, MS
This is one driving day of about 201.2 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Vicksburg, 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 Highway 49 South for about 80.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 43.9 and 138.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
43.9 mi into trip|~51m in|I 20; US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49 toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
7
127 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
135.1 mi into trip|~2h 42m 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
138.3 mi into trip|~2h 46m 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
138.6 mi into trip|~2h 47m 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
$30.39 one way
$60.77 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$33.36
$66.71
premium
$4.56
$36.11
$72.23
diesel
$5.61
$44.42
$88.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.4
0
$21.13
$9.66
Efficient EV
50.3
0
$17.60
$8.05
EV Truck/SUV
80.5
1
$28.17
$12.88
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
24 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 20, 2026
Origin
Vicksburg, MS
Morning
in Vicksburg on Tuesday
Local time
7:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gulfport, MS
Morning
in Gulfport on Tuesday
Local time
7:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Sumrall, MS
101 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
2 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
4h 5m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 94% of the trip consisting of highway travel, you should expect a steady, consistent pace rather than a technical or winding backcountry experience. The route relies heavily on I-20 and US 49, providing a reliable flow as you head south. You will encounter a significant longest stretch of 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South, which requires long-distance focus and steady driving. As you progress from Vicksburg toward the coast, the road maintains a predictable character that prioritizes speed and directness. It is an ideal drive for those who prefer straightforward navigation over complex local detours.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.3 mi on Highway 49 South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 49 South and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.9 miles in near I 20; US 49.
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 16 significant decision points across 201.2 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 43.9 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.1 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 Vicksburg, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Meridian, Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mobile - among others.
Vicksburg is a city of 22,000 people (2018) in Warren County, Mississippi. Vicksburg is a cultural landmark in the American South, and is home to the Southern Cultural Heritage Center, Vicksburg Military Park, and the Lower Mississippi River Museum.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 201.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South. 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 43.9 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.1 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Gulfport, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
