West Gulfport, MS to Caledonia, MS is 263.5 miles and takes about 5h 13m via Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway and US 45, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Mississippi, traversing the Southeast region. It's a solid option for a single-day trip, offering a straightforward drive with a mix of highway and surface roads. You'll likely find it a practical way to connect these two points without significant detours.
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
131.7 miles from West Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
88.4 mi
1h 35m
US 45
82.8 mi
1h 35m
US 49
60.1 mi
1h 12m
I 59
9 mi
10m
Military Road
8 mi
13m
Caledonia Steens Road
5 mi
9m
US 98
3.3 mi
4m
Wolfe Road
0.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
— 88.4 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-59
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~976 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,182
Quietest
2 AM
~88 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 West Gulfport, MS and Caledonia, 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, LaurelUse 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
9.0 mi·10 min·I 59
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, TuscaloosaUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward US 45 North: MaconUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto US 45
65 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.4 mi·4 min·US 45
Toward US 45 North: Columbus, Aberdeen
13
Continue on US 45
14 mi·16 min·US 45
14
Continue on Plymouth Bluff Access Road
312 ft·5 sec·Plymouth Bluff Access Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
5.4 mi·6 min
Toward US 82 East, US 45 North, MS 12 East: Columbus
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
17
Keep slight left at fork
122 ft·4 sec
18
Enter roundabout onto Military Road
158 ft·3 sec·Military Road
19
Continue on Military Road
0.1 mi·12 sec·Military Road
20
Enter roundabout onto Military Road
96 ft·2 sec·Military Road
21
Continue on Military Road
4.6 mi·8 min·Military Road
Use the straight lane.
22
At end of road, turn left onto MS 12
3.2 mi·5 min·Military Road
23
Turn slight left onto Caledonia Steens Road
5.0 mi·9 min·Caledonia Steens Road
24
Turn straight onto Wolfe Road
0.7 mi·2 min·Wolfe Road
25
Turn left onto Main Street
69 ft·1 sec·Main Street
26
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 13m drive time and 263.5-mile distance, starting in the morning should allow you to reach Caledonia with plenty of daylight to spare. The estimated fuel cost is around $39, so plan accordingly. With only one suggested stop and a moderate drive, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move onto US 45, to ensure smooth progress.
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 131.7 miles from West Gulfport, MS, or about 2h 31m 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 58 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.7 miles or 2h 31m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Caledonia, 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 263.5 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 62.9 and 244.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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...
6
161 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 45 North: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 45 North: Macon
6
226.4 mi into trip|~4h 19m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 North: Columbus, Aberdeen
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 45 North: Columbus, Aberdeen
6
244.2 mi into trip|~4h 40m in
Take the exit toward US 82 East, US 45 North, MS 12 East: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 82 East, US 45 North, MS 12 East: Col...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.50 one way
$81.00 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$44.80
$89.59
premium
$4.65
$48.21
$96.42
diesel
$5.35
$55.50
$111.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.1
0
$27.67
$12.65
Efficient EV
65.9
0
$23.06
$10.54
EV Truck/SUV
105.4
1
$36.89
$16.86
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
West Gulfport, MS
Afternoon
in West Gulfport on Wednesday
Local time
4:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 0 to 10 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:37PM CDT until June 3 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 31 at 7:36PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Caledonia, MS
Afternoon
in Caledonia on Wednesday
Local time
4:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Patchy Fog
0 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:37PM CDT until June 3 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 31 at 7:36PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
88°F
Stonewall, MS
132 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
7 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 13m 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?
This trip features 59% highway driving, with the longest continuous stretch on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway covering 88.4 miles. You'll transition from highway to surface roads as you progress toward Caledonia. Expect a mix of cruising and areas with more frequent exits or intersections as you navigate US 49 and US 45.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 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?
9/10
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 around 62.9 miles in near US 98.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 263.5 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: 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; at 152.1 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
381 ft25 ft
Total Climb
701 ft
Total Descent
390 ft
Highest Point
381 ft
~169.4 mi in
Elevation Range
356 ft
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 Caledonia, MS, road signs point toward Laurel, Tuscaloosa and Aberdeen.
Laurel
62.9 mi in|~1h 16m|via US 98
Tuscaloosa
152.1 mi in|~2h 53m|via I 59
Aberdeen
226.4 mi in|~4h 19m|via US 45
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 13m. Total distance: 263.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m 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 8 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 Caledonia, 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 152.1 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Caledonia, MS before the return drive.
