Dizzy Dean Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from West Gulfport, MS to Durant, MS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 23m
Distance
218.1 mi
351 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 10m
★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 50m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 30m
3 PM
4h 34m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Gulfport, MS
N Qurash
Durant, MS
SHOX ART
Trip Overview
West Gulfport, MS to Durant, MS is 218.1 miles and takes about 4h 23m via US 49 and I 55, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region up towards the central part of the state. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip that's well within the range of a single day's travel. If you're looking for an efficient way to get from the coast inland, this route will get you there without much fuss.
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
109 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 |
|---|---|---|
| US 49 | 152.8 mi | 3h 9m |
| I 55 | 61.5 mi | 1h 7m |
| MS 12 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| North Jackson Street | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Arkansas Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 49
— 152.8 mi, about 3h 9m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 41 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,953 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~191 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Durant, 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 right at fork onto US 49
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 49
14
Merge onto I 55
61 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
I 55
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward MS 12: Durant, Lexington
16
Keep slight left at fork
462 ft
·
11 sec
17
Turn straight onto MS 12
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
MS 12
18
At end of road, turn right onto US 51; MS 12
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Jackson Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 51; MS 12
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 23m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning from West Gulfport will allow you to reach Durant with plenty of daylight to spare. The route is entirely highway, so plan to take advantage of the 1 stop suggested for fuel or a quick break. You'll cover 152.8 miles on US 49 before switching to I 55, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach that transition, especially if you're not familiar with services along that segment. The total fuel cost is estimated at $30, so budget accordingly.
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 109 miles from West Gulfport, MS, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.8 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 48 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Durant, 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 218.1 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 152.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 109 miles from West Gulfport, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152.8 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 214.6 — 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
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 49
Turn left onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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
5
214.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 17m in
Take the exit toward MS 12: Durant, Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 12: Durant, Lexington
5
214.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.28 one way
$60.55 round trip
$3.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.95 | $33.87 | $67.75 |
| premium | $4.29 | $36.83 | $73.66 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $41.18 | $82.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.4 | 0 | $22.90 | $10.47 |
| Efficient EV | 54.5 | 0 | $19.08 | $8.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.2 | 1 | $30.53 | $13.96 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Origin
West Gulfport, MS
Afternoon in West Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
1:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
W 5 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Durant, MS
Afternoon in Durant on Sunday
Local time
1:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
96°F
Sumrall, MS
109 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
4 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
4h 23m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 157.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is entirely on highways, meaning you'll be on paved roads for the full 218.1 miles. You'll spend the longest stretch, 152.8 miles, on US 49 before transitioning to I 55 and then MS 12. Expect consistent cruising with a high percentage of highway driving, which generally means fewer stops and steady speeds.
100% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152.8 mi on US 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and I 55. 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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 218.1 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 0.1 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 151.3 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
425 ft
25 ft
Total Climb
619 ft
Total Descent
379 ft
Highest Point
425 ft
~109 mi in
Elevation Range
400 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from West Gulfport, MS to Durant, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Jackson
151.3 mi in
|
~3h 7m
|
via US 49
About the Cities
Arriving in Durant, MS
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 218.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (100%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 152.8 miles on US 49. 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 Durant, 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 0.1 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 151.3 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Durant, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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