West Gulfport, MS to Walls, MS is 356.3 miles and takes about 6h 55m via I 55 and US 49, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traversing the Southeast region on a primarily highway route. It's a straightforward drive that should feel familiar to anyone accustomed to interstate travel. Given its duration and the 97% highway share, it's well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently.
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
178.1 miles from West Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
193.7 mi
3h 29m
US 49
152.8 mi
3h 9m
Goodman Road West
8.5 mi
13m
MS 161
0.4 mi
<1m
2nd Street
0.2 mi
<1m
East Railroad Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
West Railroad Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 193.7 mi, about 3h 29m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 114 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,533 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,913
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Walls, 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
194 mi·3 hr 29 min·I 55
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
16
Keep slight left at fork
192 ft·6 sec
Toward Memphis
17
Turn left onto MS 302
8.2 mi·12 min·Goodman Road West
18
Continue on MS 302
0.3 mi·36 sec·Goodman Road West
19
At end of road, turn left onto MS 161
0.4 mi·46 sec·MS 161
20
Turn right onto 2nd Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·2nd Street
21
At end of road, turn right onto East Railroad Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Railroad Avenue
22
Continue on West Railroad Avenue
171 ft·7 sec·West Railroad Avenue
23
Turn right onto McLemore Drive
113 ft·5 sec·McLemore Drive
24
Arrive at destination
McLemore Drive
Trip Plan
For this 6h 55m drive, departing in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid late-night navigation. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I 55 is nearly 200 miles, and your estimated fuel cost is $52. The route is almost entirely highway, so plan for consistent driving speeds and potential traffic near urban areas, especially as you get closer to Walls, MS.
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 178.1 miles from West Gulfport, MS, or about 3h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 193.7 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 78 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.1 miles or 3h 37m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Walls, 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 356.3 miles and 6h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 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 I 55 for about 193.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway reset
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
$1 to $10
Canton, Mississippi
Hours: 7 AM–4:30 PM
+16018590600
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 356.1 — 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
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
346.6 mi into trip|~6h 39m in
Take the exit toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
6
346.9 mi into trip|~6h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Memphis
5
356.1 mi into trip|~6h 55m in|East Railroad Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto East Railroad Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.46 one way
$110.93 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$61.15
$122.29
premium
$4.71
$66.08
$132.17
diesel
$6.18
$86.68
$173.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
EV Charging Along Route
7 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Pilot Charging Station
Gulfport, Mississippi
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Gulfport, Mississippi
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Gulfport, Mississippi
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Gulfport, Mississippi
Other
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Gulfport, Mississippi
Other
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Gulfport, Mississippi
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Chevrolet Charging Station
Wiggins, Mississippi
Other
1 DCFC
Other: 4
Tesla Destination: 2
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.9
1
$37.41
$17.10
Efficient EV
89.1
1
$31.18
$14.25
EV Truck/SUV
142.5
1
$49.88
$22.80
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
West Gulfport, MS
Morning
in West Gulfport on Saturday
Local time
10:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 3:29AM CDT until October 17 at 3:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 17 at 3:27AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Walls, MS
Morning
in Walls on Saturday
Local time
10:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Partly Cloudy
N 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 3:29AM CDT until October 17 at 3:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 17 at 3:27AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00PM 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
8 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 55m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 159.7
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...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 282.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend nearly all of your time on the highway, with 97% of the 356.3 miles on interstates and major roads like I 55 and US 49. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 193.7 miles, all on I 55. Expect frequent exits and potential merging traffic as you navigate this primarily highway profile, especially as you approach your destination on Goodman Road West.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 193.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 49. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 356.3 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 346.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
398 ft25 ft
Total Climb
595 ft
Total Descent
406 ft
Highest Point
398 ft
~279.9 mi in
Elevation Range
373 ft
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 Walls, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 55m. Total distance: 356.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 55m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 193.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Walls, 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 1 rest area 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 346.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Walls, MS before the return drive.
