This 311.6-mile journey from West Gulfport, Mississippi, to Mikoma, Mississippi, is a significant undertaking, estimated to take around 6 hours and 13 minutes of pure driving time. Primarily utilizing US 49, I-55, and MS 32, this route is almost entirely highway driving, making it feasible as a single-day trip if you're prepared for a long haul. With a fuel cost estimate of $47, it's a budget-friendly option for covering ground within the Southeast region. Consider starting early to maximize daylight hours and make the most of this highway-focused drive.
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
155.8 miles from West Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49
152.8 mi
3h 9m
I 55
131.7 mi
2h 23m
MS 32
24.8 mi
36m
Clay Street
1.6 mi
2m
Main Street
0.3 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 49 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,842 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~151 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.8×
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 Mikoma, 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
132 mi·2 hr 23 min·I 55
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward Oakland, Water Valley
16
Turn sharp left onto MS 32; MS 32 Scenic
12 mi·17 min·MS 32; MS 32 Scenic
17
Continue on MS 32
0.3 mi·36 sec·Main Street
18
Turn left onto MS 32; MS 35
1.6 mi·2 min·Clay Street
19
Turn right onto MS 32
13 mi·19 min·MS 32
20
Arrive at destination
MS 32
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour and 13-minute duration, departing West Gulfport early in the morning is advisable to reach Mikoma before evening. While the drive is manageable in one day, remember there's only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 152.8-mile stretch on US 49, as services might be less frequent. This highway-centric route means you'll likely encounter consistent speed limits, allowing for predictable travel times.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155.8 miles from West Gulfport, MS, or about 3h 13m 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 69 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.8 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mikoma, 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 311.6 miles and 6h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 284.8 — 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
284.6 mi into trip|~5h 33m in
Take the exit toward Oakland, Water Valley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Oakland, Water Valley
5
284.8 mi into trip|~5h 33m in|MS 32; MS 32 Scenic
Turn sharp left onto MS 32; MS 32 Scenic
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.89 one way
$95.79 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$52.97
$105.94
premium
$4.65
$57.01
$114.02
diesel
$5.35
$65.63
$131.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.5
1
$32.72
$14.96
Efficient EV
77.9
0
$27.27
$12.46
EV Truck/SUV
124.6
1
$43.62
$19.94
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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
3:05 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
Mikoma, MS
Afternoon
in Mikoma on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph5% 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
72°F
New Haven, MS
156 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
6h 13m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 311.6
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 161.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 99% of your 311.6-mile trip. You'll spend a considerable amount of time on high-speed roads, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 152.8 miles on US 49. While largely maintaining a consistent highway profile, the transition between US 49, I-55, and MS 32 will introduce slight shifts in the driving experience. This route is designed for efficient travel, minimizing slower, more winding roads.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and I 55. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard.
Driving Effort6/10
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 311.6 miles you will encounter 11 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: 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
394 ft25 ft
Total Climb
646 ft
Total Descent
522 ft
Highest Point
394 ft
~133.5 mi in
Elevation Range
369 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 Mikoma, MS, road signs point toward Jackson, Oakland and Water Valley.
Jackson
151.3 mi in|~3h 7m|via US 49
Oakland
284.6 mi in|~5h 33m
Water Valley
284.6 mi in|~5h 33m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 13m. Total distance: 311.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 10 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 Mikoma, 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 10 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 — Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument and Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mikoma, MS before the return drive.
