Water Valley to West Gulfport is 297.1 miles and takes about 5h 46m via MS 7 and US 49, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, taking you from the Southeast region down to the Gulf Coast. Expect mostly highway driving, making it a fairly straightforward trip for a single day. With only one recommended stop and a high percentage of highway time, it's designed for efficient 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
148.5 miles from Water Valley, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 7
124.4 mi
2h 15m
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
62.1 mi
1h 16m
I 55
15.6 mi
18m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
Main Street
1.4 mi
2m
Frostland Drive
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
MS 7
— 124.4 mi, about 2h 15m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 98 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,895 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~167 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Water Valley, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on Main Street
1.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
2
Turn right onto MS 32, MS 315
0.6 mi·59 sec·Frostland Drive
3
Turn left onto MS 7
23 mi·26 min·MS 7
4
Take the exit onto MS 7
101 mi·1 hr 48 min·MS 7
5
Continue on I 55
16 mi·18 min·I 55
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
8
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
19
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 46-minute drive time, leaving in the morning should allow you to reach West Gulfport with plenty of daylight. The route is primarily highway, so your main consideration will be fuel. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, it's wise to top off before you leave Water Valley or at the beginning of the US 49 stretch, as there's a significant 124.4-mile section on MS 7 before you switch highways. Plan for a single stop to break up the drive, perhaps just before you transition to US 49.
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 148.5 miles from Water Valley, MS, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.4 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 65 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.5 miles or 2h 46m 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 41m
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 Water Valley, 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 Water Valley, MS
This is one driving day of about 297.1 miles and 5h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Water Valley, 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 MS 7 for about 124.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 142.8 and 236.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
142.8 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49 toward Richland, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
7
225.4 mi into trip|~4h 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
7
233.5 mi into trip|~4h 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
236.6 mi into trip|~4h 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
236.9 mi into trip|~4h 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
$45.48 one way
$90.95 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$50.37
$100.73
premium
$4.65
$54.38
$108.76
diesel
$6.28
$73.41
$146.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.1
1
$31.20
$14.26
Efficient EV
74.3
0
$26.00
$11.88
EV Truck/SUV
118.8
1
$41.59
$19.01
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Water Valley, MS
Late night
in Water Valley on Thursday
Local time
5:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
ESE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Late night
in West Gulfport on Thursday
Local time
5:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
45°F
Sumrall, 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
24 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 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.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 143.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 96% of this 297.1-mile route on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 124.4 miles on MS 7. After that, you'll transition to US 49. Be prepared for a lot of highway miles, which means you'll likely encounter frequent exits and merges as you get closer to populated areas.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 124.4 mi on MS 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 7 and Highway 49 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 142.8 miles in near US 49.
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 14 significant decision points across 297.1 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 142.8 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.5 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
382 ft25 ft
Total Climb
386 ft
Total Descent
649 ft
Highest Point
382 ft
~63.8 mi in
Elevation Range
357 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Water Valley, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile and Gulfport - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 46m. Total distance: 297.1 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 (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 124.4 miles on MS 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 142.8 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.5 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. 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 West Gulfport, MS before the return drive.
