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Trip from West Gulfport, MS to Ackerman, MS

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 54m

Distance

233.5 mi

376 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 41m ★
6 AM
4h 55m
8 AM
5h 22m
10 AM
5h 4m
12 PM
5h 1m
3 PM
5h 5m
5 PM
5h 20m
8 PM
4h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown West Gulfport, MS, MS

West Gulfport, MS

N Qurash

Downtown Ackerman, MS, MS

Ackerman, MS

KAO MHG

Trip Overview

This 233.5-mile drive from West Gulfport, MS, to Ackerman, MS, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 54 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, US 49, and MS 15, with about 60% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $35, making it an economical choice for exploring more of Mississippi's Southeast region. This route offers a mixed driving experience, suitable for a single day of travel 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

116.8 miles from West Gulfport, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway 88.4 mi 1h 35m
US 49 60.1 mi 1h 12m
MS 15 37.7 mi 55m
MS 19 36.7 mi 54m
US 98 3.3 mi 4m
I 59 2 mi 2m
Pecan Avenue 1.8 mi 2m
County Road 561 1.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway — 88.4 mi, about 1h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Gulfport, MS and Ackerman, MS.

1

Start on Arkansas Avenue

31 ft · 6 sec · Arkansas Avenue
2

Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

424 ft · 14 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
3

Turn left onto US 49

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US 49
Use the straight lane.
4

Continue on US 49

2.4 mi · 2 min · US 49
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 51 sec
6

Merge onto US 98

2.5 mi · 2 min · US 98
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit onto US 98

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 98
Toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 59; US 98

88 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 59

2.0 mi · 2 min · I 59
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa Use the straight lane.
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 44 sec
Toward South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Philadelphia, Meridian Airport Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn left onto US 11

1.2 mi · 1 min · US 11
12

Turn left onto MS 19

37 mi · 54 min · MS 19
13

At end of road, turn left onto MS 16; MS 19

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Beacon Street
14

Turn right onto MS 21

1.8 mi · 2 min · Pecan Avenue
15

Turn straight onto County Road 561

1.3 mi · 1 min · County Road 561
16

Turn right onto MS 15

22 mi · 32 min · MS 15
17

Keep slight right at fork onto MS 15

3.4 mi · 4 min · MS 15
18

Turn straight onto MS 15

13 mi · 18 min · MS 15
19

Turn right onto West Main Avenue

0.2 mi · 33 sec · West Main Avenue
20

Turn right onto South Louisville Street

115 ft · 5 sec · South Louisville Street
21

Arrive at destination

South Louisville Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour 54-minute duration, starting your journey from West Gulfport in the morning is advisable to arrive in Ackerman with ample daylight. With only one planned stop suggested, you have flexibility; consider breaking up the 88.4-mile stretch on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway for a mid-drive rest. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $35 estimated cost covers the entire 233.5 miles. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of potential shifts in road conditions as you transition from major highways like US 49 to MS 15, especially closer to Ackerman.

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 116.8 miles from West Gulfport, MS, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.4 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 51 miles or 1h 1m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 116.8 miles or 2h 15m 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 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ackerman, MS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving West Gulfport, 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 West Gulfport, MS

This is one driving day of about 233.5 miles and 4h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from West Gulfport, 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 Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway for about 88.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Mississippi, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waynesboro, MS

117 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Wiggins, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waynesboro, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 116.8 miles from West Gulfport, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Lake Tiak-O'Khata

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Mississippi

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 21min to go 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

+16627737853

Visit website

Best coffee break · home stretch

The Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ackerman, Mississippi

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16624462525

Visit website

2810 Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Collinsville, Mississippi

0.9 mi

Ming Muggin' Coffee Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Louisville, Mississippi

1.7 mi

Lake Tiak-O'Khata

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Louisville, Mississippi

+16627737853

Visit website

El Paso Restaurant

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Ackerman, Mississippi

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16622859111

Visit website

Ward's Restaurant

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Laurel, Mississippi

Hours: 5:45 am–9 pm

+16016499278

Visit website

Taco Bell / KFC

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Louisville, Mississippi

Hours: 10 am–11 pm

+16627735288

Visit website

El Norte Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Final third 5 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Meridian, Mississippi

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16015538377

Visit website

The Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Ackerman, Mississippi

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16624462525

Visit website

2810 Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Collinsville, Mississippi

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+17692568200

Visit website

Ming Muggin' Coffee Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Louisville, Mississippi

Hours: 6:30 am–1 pm

Louisville Donuts & Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Louisville, Mississippi

Hours: 5 am–1 pm

+16627362807

Pilot Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Gulfport, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Gulfport, Mississippi

+12283142100

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Gulfport, Mississippi

Hours: 8:30 am–7 pm

+18776642738

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Gulfport, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12283142100

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Gulfport, Mississippi

EV Connect Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Gulfport, Mississippi

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

Chevrolet Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Wiggins, Mississippi

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18003239935

Visit website

Parking area

0.1 mi from route

Parking Area

0.1 mi from route

Dizzy Dean Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.5 mi from route

Mr. Fuel Travel Center

1.6 mi from route

TrainTastic! Train Museum formerly: Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Gulfport, Mississippi

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12282845731

Visit website

Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Gulfport, Mississippi

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+16012992816

Visit website

Mississippi Aquarium

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Gulfport, Mississippi

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12282411300

Visit website

Time Will Tell Escape Games

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Hours: 1:30–8:30 pm

+16018136951

Visit website

Updown Trampoline Park

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16019099060

Visit website

Burnside State Park

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Philadelphia, Mississippi

Hours: Open 24 hours

Hattiesburg Zoo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+16015454576

Visit website

Lynn Meadows Discovery Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Gulfport, Mississippi

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12288976039

Visit website

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 0 and 154.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

Navigation decision point

5
60.4 mi into trip | ~1h 13m in | US 98

Merge onto US 98

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
62.9 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in | US 98

Take the exit onto US 98 toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel

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 I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
8
152.1 mi into trip | ~2h 53m in | I 59

Keep slight right at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscalo...
7
154.1 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in

Take the exit toward South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Philadelphia, Meridian Airport

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 South US 11, North Mississippi 19: Phila...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.26 one way

$70.53 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $38.71 $77.42
premium $4.56 $41.91 $83.82
diesel $5.61 $51.55 $103.11

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 81.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 70.1 0 $24.52 $11.21
Efficient EV 58.4 0 $20.43 $9.34
EV Truck/SUV 93.4 1 $32.69 $14.94

Gas CO2

82 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

West Gulfport, MS

Late night in West Gulfport on Tuesday

Local time

4:08 AM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ackerman, MS

Late night in Ackerman on Tuesday

Local time

4:08 AM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

83°F

Waynesboro, MS

117 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

4h 54m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a varied driving experience on this 233.5-mile route. With 60% of the drive on highways, you'll encounter stretches of faster travel, particularly on US 49 and MS 15. The longest uninterrupted segment is an impressive 88.4 miles on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, offering a solid stretch of consistent driving. The 'mixed drive' profile suggests you'll transition between more open highway sections and potentially more local road conditions as you approach your destination in Ackerman.

60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.4 mi on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 233.5 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: near the start (Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 60.4 miles (US 98): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.9 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 West Gulfport, MS and Ackerman, MS, road signs point toward Laurel, Tuscaloosa, Mississippi 19: Philadelphia and Meridian Airport.

Laurel

62.9 mi in | ~1h 16m | via US 98

Tuscaloosa

152.1 mi in | ~2h 53m | via I 59

Mississippi 19: Philadelphia

154.1 mi in | ~2h 56m

Meridian Airport

154.1 mi in | ~2h 56m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 233.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 88.4 miles on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 7 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 Ackerman, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 60.4 miles (US 98): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.9 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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Ackerman, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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