Traveling from Waynesboro to West Gulfport covers 131.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 32 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $20 on fuel for the journey, keeping it a budget-friendly option for a quick getaway. The route primarily relies on MS 63, MS 57, and I-10 to bridge the gap between the interior Southeast and the Gulf Coast. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, the straightforward nature of this drive makes it an efficient transit option within Mississippi.
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
65.6 miles from Waynesboro, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m 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
Mississippi Drive
4.3 mi
7m
US 49
2 mi
3m
Azalea Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
<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 West 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
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
14
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 32-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving early helps you avoid potential congestion near the Gulf Coast. Since the itinerary includes only one planned stop, use that break to refuel and stretch your legs, keeping your $20 gas budget in mind. Keep a close eye on your GPS when transitioning between MS 63 and MS 57, as these changes are critical to maintaining your estimated arrival time. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete the drive in one go without the fatigue that accompanies longer cross-state treks. Staying focused during the 50.4-mile stretch on MS 63 is key to a smooth and uneventful arrival in West Gulfport.
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 65.6 miles from Waynesboro, MS, or about 1h 17m 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 65.6 miles or 1h 17m 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 5m
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 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 131.3 miles and 2h 32m.
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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 131.3 — 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
5
131.3 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|Arkansas Avenue
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.83 one way
$39.66 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$21.77
$43.54
premium
$4.56
$23.57
$47.13
diesel
$5.61
$28.99
$57.98
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: 45.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.4
0
$13.79
$6.30
Efficient EV
32.8
0
$11.49
$5.25
EV Truck/SUV
52.5
0
$18.38
$8.40
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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
Waynesboro, MS
Late night
in Waynesboro on Tuesday
Local time
3:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Late night
in West Gulfport on Tuesday
Local time
3:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 32m 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?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 96% of this 131.3-mile route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating major thoroughfares, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 50.4 miles on MS 63. The road maintains a consistent pace, shifting from regional state highways to the broader lanes of I-10 as you approach the coastline. While the drive is functional rather than technical, the transition between these road types keeps the experience from feeling overly monotonous. Prepare for a steady, predictable pace that allows you to cover the distance efficiently without frequent interruptions.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 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 10 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 131.3 miles you will encounter 10 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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 131.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m 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 West Gulfport, MS before heading back.
