Skip to main content

Trip from Belmont, MS to West Gulfport, MS

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

6h 45m

Distance

344 mi

554 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 33m ★
6 AM
6h 45m
8 AM
7h 9m
10 AM
6h 53m
12 PM
6h 51m
3 PM
6h 55m
5 PM
7h 8m
8 PM
6h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Belmont, MS, MS

Belmont, MS

大 董

Downtown West Gulfport, MS, MS

West Gulfport, MS

N Qurash

Trip Overview

The drive from Belmont, MS to West Gulfport, MS covers 344 miles and takes about 6h 45m 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 $51.95 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

172 miles from Belmont, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 27m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 45m highway drive covering 344 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 31 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 46.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 344 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 46.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.7 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.4 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 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
46.9 mi into trip | ~1h 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
191.7 mi into trip | ~3h 51m 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
280.4 mi into trip | ~5h 27m 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
283.6 mi into trip | ~5h 31m 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
283.9 mi into trip | ~5h 32m 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 Belmont, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Pontotoc, New Orleans, Mobile, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Multi Purpose Center - among others.

Pontotoc

46.9 mi in | ~1h

New Orleans

191.7 mi in | ~3h 51m | via I 59

Mobile

280.4 mi in | ~5h 27m | via US 98

Gulfport

283.6 mi in | ~5h 31m

Mississippi Gulf Coast

283.6 mi in | ~5h 31m

Multi Purpose Center

283.9 mi in | ~5h 32m

Hattiesburg

283.9 mi in | ~5h 32m

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
2nd Street 16.2 mi 23m
I 20 8.1 mi 9m
Martin Luther King Drive 7.7 mi 8m
US 45 ALT 7.2 mi 8m
Longest stretch: I 59 — 88.7 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Belmont, MS and West Gulfport, MS.

1

Start on MS 25

16 mi · 23 min · 2nd Street
2

Turn right onto MS 25

6.7 mi · 7 min · Corridor V
Use the straight lane.
3

Take the exit

18 mi · 19 min
4

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward Auburn Road
5

Keep slight left at fork

182 ft · 6 sec
6

Turn left

115 ft · 2 sec
7

Turn straight onto CR 931

0.4 mi · 54 sec · Auburn Road
8

Continue on North Eason Boulevard

5.1 mi · 8 min · North Eason Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
9

Turn left

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward US 45 South, MS 6 West: Columbus, Pontotoc Use the left lane.
10

Merge onto US 45; MS 6

1.9 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
11

Continue on US 45; US 278

7.7 mi · 8 min · Martin Luther King Drive
12

Continue on US 45 ALT

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 45 ALT
13

Continue on US 45 ALT

2.2 mi · 2 min · US 45 ALT
14

Continue on US 45 ALT

1.5 mi · 1 min · US 45 ALT
15

Continue on US 45 ALT

0.7 mi · 49 sec · US 45 ALT
16

Continue on US 45 ALT

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 45 ALT
17

Continue on US 45 ALT

55 mi · 1 hr 6 min · US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
18

Continue on US 45

61 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US Highway 45 Aiternate
19

Keep slight right at fork onto US 45

3.9 mi · 4 min · US 45
20

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
21

Merge onto I 20; I 59

6.3 mi · 7 min · I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
23

Keep slight left at fork onto I 59

89 mi · 1 hr 36 min · I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit onto US 98

3.2 mi · 4 min · US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
27

Turn right onto US 49

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US 49
Use the straight lane.
28

Turn straight onto US 49

2.0 mi · 3 min · US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
29

Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

424 ft · 14 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
30

Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue

31 ft · 0 sec · Arkansas Avenue
31

Arrive at destination

Arkansas Avenue

Trip Plan

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 172 miles from Belmont, MS, or about 3h 27m 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 76 miles or 1h 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 172 miles or 3h 27m 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 32m

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 Belmont, 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 Belmont, MS

This is one driving day of about 344 miles and 6h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Belmont, 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 172 mi from Belmont, MS · 3h 27m into the drive

Downtown Meridian, MS, MS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Meridian, MS

172 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.

Popular next leg

Meridian, MS to West Gulfport, MS

156.9 mi · 3h

Pacing Suggestions

Aberdeen, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Meridian, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 172 miles from Belmont, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.7 miles.

Arriving in West Gulfport, MS

The final approach into West Gulfport, MS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around West Gulfport, MS.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$51.95 one way

$103.90 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 120 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $57.03 $114.06
premium $4.56 $61.74 $123.49
diesel $5.61 $75.95 $151.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$52

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 120.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 103.2 1 $36.12 $16.51
Efficient EV 86 0 $30.10 $13.76
EV Truck/SUV 137.6 1 $48.16 $22.02

Gas CO2

120 kg

EV CO2

40 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 15, 2026

Origin

Belmont, MS

Evening in Belmont on Wednesday

Local time

5:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

West Gulfport, MS

Evening in West Gulfport on Wednesday

Local time

5:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

79°F

Meridian, MS

172 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

18 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 45m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Belmont, MS to West Gulfport, MS covers 344 miles and takes about 6h 45m 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 172 miles from Belmont, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.95 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 18 significant decision points across 344 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 46.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.7 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.4 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Belmont, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Pontotoc, New Orleans, Mobile, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Multi Purpose Center - among others.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Belmont, MS or browse trips ending in West Gulfport, MS.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.

Explore maps for Belmont, MS or West Gulfport, MS on MapSof.net.