Traveling from Waynesboro to Gulfport covers a 133.8-mile stretch across Southeast Mississippi, making for a straightforward journey that takes about 2 hours and 36 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this trip is perfectly suited as a one-day excursion, allowing you to reach the coast without needing an overnight stay. You should plan on a fuel budget of approximately $20 to complete the trip. Navigating the route involves a combination of MS 63, MS 57, and I-10. It is a practical, highway-focused drive that effectively links the inland region to the Gulf Coast, providing a reliable path for travelers looking to move efficiently between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.9 miles from Waynesboro, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MS 63
50.4 mi
57m
I 10
34.5 mi
37m
MS 57
24.7 mi
28m
US 45
14.3 mi
16m
US 49
4.6 mi
8m
Mississippi Drive
4.3 mi
7m
Azalea Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
25th Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
MS 63
— 50.4 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waynesboro, MS and Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on MS 184
0.3 mi·30 sec·Azalea Drive
2
Turn right onto MS 145
4.3 mi·7 min·Mississippi Drive
3
Take the ramp
182 ft·6 sec
4
Merge onto US 45
14 mi·16 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 57
2.2 mi·2 min·MS 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on MS 57
23 mi·25 min·MS 57
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on MS 63
50 mi·57 min·MS 63
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
9
Merge onto I 10
35 mi·37 min·I 10
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 49 South: Gulfport, Airport
11
Merge onto US 49
456 ft·7 sec·US 49
12
Turn straight onto US 49
4.5 mi·7 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on US 49
215 ft·16 sec·25th Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
US 49
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility when it comes to your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure your time on I-10 remains smooth and free of congestion. While the route is short enough to drive in one go, building in at least one planned stop will help you stay refreshed before arriving in Gulfport. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when transitioning between the secondary state highways and the interstate to ensure you aren't caught off guard. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation tools active when transitioning from MS 57 onto I-10, as the change in road scale can be abrupt.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.9 miles from Waynesboro, MS, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.4 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 29 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.9 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 7m
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 Waynesboro, 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 Waynesboro, MS
This is one driving day of about 133.8 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Waynesboro, 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 63 for about 50.4 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 129.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|MS 145 / Mississippi Drive
Turn right onto MS 145 / Mississippi Drive
Navigation decision point
5
4.6 mi into trip|~8m in|US 45
Merge onto US 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
18.9 mi into trip|~24m in|MS 57
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 57
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
128.9 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward US 49 South: Gulfport, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 49 South: Gulfport, Airport
4
129.1 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|US 49
Merge onto US 49
Merge point - match speed before joining
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.21 one way
$40.41 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$22.18
$44.36
premium
$4.56
$24.02
$48.03
diesel
$5.61
$29.54
$59.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.1
0
$14.05
$6.42
Efficient EV
33.5
0
$11.71
$5.35
EV Truck/SUV
53.5
0
$18.73
$8.56
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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 13, 2026
Origin
Waynesboro, MS
Late night
in Waynesboro on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gulfport, MS
Late night
in Gulfport on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
SE 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
6 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 36m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 96% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on expansive stretches of road, including a 50.4-mile segment on MS 63, which serves as your longest uninterrupted stretch behind the wheel. The journey shifts from the quieter corridors of MS 63 and MS 57 before merging into the more heavily trafficked I-10 as you approach the coast. This is not a technical or winding path, but rather a consistent, steady drive designed for efficiency. You will find that the personality of the road remains fairly uniform, prioritizing speed and directness over scenic detours.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.4 mi on MS 63.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 63 and I 10. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near MS 145 / Mississippi Drive.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 133.8 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.3 miles (MS 145 / Mississippi Drive): Navigation decision point; at 4.6 miles (US 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles (MS 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 133.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m 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 50.4 miles on MS 63. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (MS 145 / Mississippi Drive): Navigation decision point; at 4.6 miles (US 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles (MS 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gulfport, MS before heading back.
