The drive from Auburn, MS to West Gulfport, MS covers 303.4 miles and takes about 5h 55m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 59, US Highway 45 Aiternate, US 49 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.7 miles on I 59.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.82 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
151.7 miles from Auburn, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 55m. Total distance: 303.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 55m highway drive covering 303.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 59 and US Highway 45 Aiternate. The longest continuous stretch is about 88.7 miles on I 59.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 88.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US Highway 45 Aiternate. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in.
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 14 significant decision points across 303.4 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 6.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.7 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
6.2 mi into trip|~11m in
Turn left toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontotoc
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontot...
8
151 mi into trip|~3h 1m in|I 59
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
7
239.7 mi into trip|~4h 37m in|US 98
Take the exit onto US 98 toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
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 US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
7
242.9 mi into trip|~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast
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 US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gu...
9
243.2 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Auburn, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans, Mobile, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
New Orleans
151 mi in|~3h 1m|via I 59
Mobile
239.7 mi in|~4h 37m|via US 98
Gulfport
242.9 mi in|~4h 41m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
242.9 mi in|~4h 41m
Multi Purpose Center
243.2 mi in|~4h 42m
Hattiesburg
243.2 mi in|~4h 42m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 59
88.7 mi
1h 36m
US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi
1h 9m
US 49
59.9 mi
1h 12m
US Highway 45 Alternate
54.7 mi
1h 6m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
Martin Luther King Drive
7.7 mi
8m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
North Eason Boulevard
5.1 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 88.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on County Road 1438
119 ft·10 sec·County Road 1438
2
Turn left onto CR 931
1.1 mi·2 min·Auburn Road / County Road 931
3
Continue on North Eason Boulevard
5.1 mi·8 min·North Eason Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, PontotocUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto US 45; MS 6
1.9 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
6
Continue on US 45; US 278
7.7 mi·8 min·Martin Luther King Drive
7
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
8
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
9
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
10
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
11
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
12
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
16
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
89 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New OrleansUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
24
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
25
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
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 151.7 miles from Auburn, MS, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.7 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 67 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.7 miles or 3h 2m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Auburn, 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 Auburn, MS
This is one driving day of about 303.4 miles and 5h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Auburn, 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 59 for about 88.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 151.7 mi from Auburn, MS
· 3h 2m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Partial Closure of Rocky Springs Trail
Park Closure: Temporary Blackland Prairie Trail Closure to Equestrians
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 10.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.82 one way
$91.64 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$50.30
$100.60
premium
$4.56
$54.46
$108.91
diesel
$5.61
$66.99
$133.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91
1
$31.86
$14.56
Efficient EV
75.9
0
$26.55
$12.14
EV Truck/SUV
121.4
1
$42.48
$19.42
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Auburn, MS
Evening
in Auburn on Friday
Local time
6:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Evening
in West Gulfport on Friday
Local time
6:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear
SW 0 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
79°F
Meridian, MS
152 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
12 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 55m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Auburn, MS to West Gulfport, MS covers 303.4 miles and takes about 5h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 59, US Highway 45 Aiternate, US 49. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 151.7 miles from Auburn, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.82 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 303.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.7 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Auburn, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans, Mobile, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail and Tupelo National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
