Trip from Carthage, MS to West Gulfport, MS

Drive Time

4h 7m

Distance

215.4 mi

347 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 55m ★
6 AM
4h 8m
8 AM
4h 34m
10 AM
4h 17m
12 PM
4h 14m
3 PM
4h 18m
5 PM
4h 33m
8 PM
4h 0m

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

Downtown Carthage, MS, MS

Carthage, MS

大 董

Downtown West Gulfport, MS, MS

West Gulfport, MS

大 董

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Carthage to West Gulfport, expect a straightforward journey covering 215.4 miles. You should budget about 4 hours and 7 minutes of drive time, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, it is an affordable way to cross the state from the Southeast region toward the coast. While you could technically push through in one go, planning for at least one stop will help keep you refreshed. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, ensuring a consistent pace as you transition from the interior to the Gulf Coast.

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

107.7 miles from Carthage, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 95% of your time spent on major roads like the West Florida Republic Parkway, I-55, and US 98. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm on the pavement, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 48.2 miles on the West Florida Republic Parkway. The character of the drive remains consistent and functional, prioritizing efficiency over winding backroads. Expect a predictable experience behind the wheel that favors speed and direct navigation over technical driving maneuvers. It is the kind of drive where you can easily maintain a steady speed while navigating the transition toward your destination.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Florida Republic Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 48.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on West Florida Republic Parkway and I 55. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 39.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 215.4 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 39.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 125.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 125.7 miles (I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

5
39.1 mi into trip | ~54m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
125.5 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in

Take the exit toward I 12 East: Slidell

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 29A Toward I 12 East: Slidell
5
125.7 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway

Merge onto I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
213.1 mi into trip | ~4h 3m in

Take the exit toward US 49 South: Gulfport, Airport

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 49 South: Gulfport, Airport
5
215.4 mi into trip | ~4h 7m in | Arkansas Avenue

Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
West Florida Republic Parkway 48.2 mi 51m
I 55 43.2 mi 46m
US 98 43.2 mi 48m
Stephen E Ambrose Memorial Parkway 39.3 mi 42m
US 84 28.3 mi 32m
Seargent Prentiss Drive 6.4 mi 7m
Carthage Point Road 2.3 mi 8m
US 49 1.7 mi 2m
Longest stretch: West Florida Republic Parkway — 48.2 mi, about 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

45 ft · 2 sec · this road
2

Turn straight onto Carthage Point Road

2.1 mi · 8 min · Carthage Point Road
3

Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Carthage Point Road
4

Turn straight onto Lower Woodville Road

0.8 mi · 2 min · Lower Woodville Road
5

Turn right onto Highland Boulevard

1.0 mi · 2 min · Highland Boulevard
6

Turn left onto US 61

6.4 mi · 7 min · Seargent Prentiss Drive
7

Take the exit onto US 84

28 mi · 32 min · US 84
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
9

Keep slight left at fork

167 ft · 4 sec
10

Turn right onto US 98; MS 184

0.6 mi · 43 sec · US 98; MS 184
11

Turn right onto US 98

29 mi · 32 min · US 98
12

Take the exit onto US 98

14 mi · 14 min · US 98
13

Continue on I 55

43 mi · 46 min · I 55
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 29A Toward I 12 East: Slidell
15

Merge onto I 12

47 mi · 50 min · West Florida Republic Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 12

0.7 mi · 43 sec · West Florida Republic Parkway
Exit 85C Toward I 10: Bay Saint Louis
17

Merge onto I 10

39 mi · 42 min · Stephen E Ambrose Memorial Parkway
18

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward US 49 South: Gulfport, Airport
19

Turn straight onto US 49

1.7 mi · 2 min · US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
20

Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

424 ft · 14 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
21

Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue

31 ft · 0 sec · Arkansas Avenue
22

Arrive at destination

Arkansas Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 215.4-mile trek, aim to leave early in the morning to beat potential traffic congestion on the busier stretches. Since you only have one recommended stop, choose a location that allows you to stretch your legs after the longest 48.2-mile segment to keep your focus sharp. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $33 cost estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and current regional prices. Because this is a relatively quick drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you hit unexpected delays. A smart strategy is to keep your snacks and water handy so you can maximize your time on the road without needing extra, unplanned breaks.

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 107.7 miles from Carthage, MS, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.2 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 107.7 miles or 2h 10m 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 24m

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 Carthage, 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 Carthage, MS

This is one driving day of about 215.4 miles and 4h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carthage, 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 West Florida Republic Parkway for about 48.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 107.7 mi from Carthage, MS · 2h 10m into the drive

Downtown Central, LA, LA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Central, LA

108 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

Central, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Central, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 107.7 miles from Carthage, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

$32.93 one way

$65.86 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $36.12 $72.24
premium $4.61 $39.09 $78.19
diesel $5.64 $47.85 $95.71

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 64.6 0 $22.62 $10.34
Efficient EV 53.9 0 $18.85 $8.62
EV Truck/SUV 86.2 1 $30.16 $13.79

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Carthage, MS

Night in Carthage on Sunday

Local time

9:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

West Gulfport, MS

Night in West Gulfport on Sunday

Local time

9:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

84°F

Central, LA

108 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

4h 7m 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 Carthage, MS to West Gulfport, MS covers 215.4 miles and takes about 4h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Florida Republic Parkway, I 55, US 98. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 107.7 miles from Carthage, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.93 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 215.4 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 39.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 125.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 125.7 miles (I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Carthage, MS to West Gulfport, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

West Gulfport, MS to Carthage, MS

Plan the drive back the other way.

216.1 mi 4h 8m

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.

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