West Gulfport, MS to Cleveland, MS is 275.5 miles and takes about 5h 51m via US 49 and US 49W, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip that should feel familiar to anyone who has driven through the area. With only one recommended day, it's designed for efficient travel, making it a good option if you need to get from point A to point B without a lot of detours. Plan for a solid chunk of driving time, but it's manageable within a single day.
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
137.7 miles from West Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49
158.4 mi
3h 16m
US 49W
46.7 mi
56m
Medgar Evers Boulevard
39.5 mi
48m
North Sunflower Avenue
13.5 mi
23m
South Highway 61
10.2 mi
13m
I 20
4.3 mi
5m
MS 448
1.1 mi
2m
US 82
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 49
— 158.4 mi, about 3h 16m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~2,710 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,827
Quietest
2 AM
~220 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Cleveland, 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
Turn straight onto US 49
10 mi·16 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 49; MS 42
5.4 mi·6 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 49
5.3 mi·6 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 49
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 49
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 49
4.2 mi·4 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 49
66 mi·1 hr 20 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 49
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 49
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Jackson
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
1.0 mi·1 min·US 49
14
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.6 mi·2 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
2.7 mi·3 min·I 20; US 49
Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
16
Take the exit onto US 49
5.2 mi·6 min·US 49
Toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson, Yazoo City
17
Take the exit onto US 49
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 49
Toward US 49 North: Yazoo City
18
Merge onto US 49
39 mi·48 min·Medgar Evers Boulevard
19
Take the exit onto US 49W
47 mi·56 min·US 49W
Toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vicksburg
20
Turn left onto US 82
0.7 mi·1 min·US 82
21
Turn right onto MS 448
13 mi·23 min·North Sunflower Avenue
22
Turn left onto MS 448
1.1 mi·2 min·MS 448
23
Turn right onto US 61; US 278
10 mi·13 min·South Highway 61
24
Turn left onto Lee Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·Lee Street
25
Continue on College Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·College Street
26
Turn right onto South Bolivar Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·South Bolivar Avenue
27
Turn right onto South Court Street
77 ft·3 sec·South Court Street
28
Arrive at destination
South Court Street
Trip Plan
For this 5h 51m drive, consider leaving in the morning to give yourself plenty of daylight. With 275.5 miles and a fuel cost around $41, it's definitely doable in one day. The longest stretch without significant changes is 158.4 miles on US 49, so plan your main stop for gas and a break before or after that segment. While there's only one stop suggested, be mindful of your own needs for rest and refreshments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move from the wider highway sections onto US 49W and Medgar Evers Boulevard, as services might be less frequent.
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 137.7 miles from West Gulfport, MS, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.4 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 61 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.7 miles or 2h 50m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleveland, 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 275.5 miles and 5h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 US 49 for about 158.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 202.4 — 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
151.3 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|US 49
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49 toward Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Jackson
6
154.6 mi into trip|~3h 12m in|I 20; US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49 toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo...
5
157.4 mi into trip|~3h 15m in|US 49
Take the exit onto US 49 toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson, Yazoo City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson,...
5
202.4 mi into trip|~4h 10m in|US 49W
Take the exit onto US 49W toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vicksburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vic...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.34 one way
$84.69 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$46.84
$93.67
premium
$4.65
$50.40
$100.81
diesel
$5.35
$58.03
$116.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.7
1
$28.93
$13.22
Efficient EV
68.9
0
$24.11
$11.02
EV Truck/SUV
110.2
1
$38.57
$17.63
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
West Gulfport, MS
Afternoon
in West Gulfport on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
W 0 to 5 mph4% 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
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:35PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Cleveland, MS
Afternoon
in Cleveland on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph8% 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
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:35PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
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
3 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 51m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 161.5
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
National Monument
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 275.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect about 80% of this 275.5-mile drive to be on highways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 158.4 miles on US 49, which will likely feel like continuous cruising. Eventually, you'll transition from highway to surface roads, including segments on US 49W and Medgar Evers Boulevard, as you approach your destination. This transition will likely involve more local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.4 mi on US 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and US 49W. 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 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 17 significant decision points across 275.5 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 151.3 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 154.6 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
410 ft25 ft
Total Climb
539 ft
Total Descent
424 ft
Highest Point
410 ft
~118.1 mi in
Elevation Range
385 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 Cleveland, MS, road signs point toward Jackson, Yazoo City and Vicksburg.
Cleveland is a city in Mississippi. It is home to Delta State University. The town is nearly flat, and according to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.9 km² (7.3 mi²), all land. The population as of 2019 was 11,000.
Top landmarks
•Temple Adath Israel — listed on the NRHP in Mississippi
•Grammy Museum Mississippi — museum of popular music in Cleveland, Mississippi
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 51m. Total distance: 275.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.4 miles on US 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Cleveland, 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 9 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 151.3 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 154.6 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cleveland, MS before the return drive.
