Drive Time
4h 12m
Distance
217.9 mi
351 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
Photo: Kei Scampa
The drive from Carthage, MS to Gulfport, MS covers 217.9 miles and takes about 4h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Florida Republic Parkway, I 55, US 98 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 48.2 miles on West Florida Republic Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.31 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
109 miles from Carthage, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
This is a 4h 12m highway drive covering 217.9 miles, with most of the trip on West Florida Republic Parkway and I 55. The longest continuous stretch is about 48.2 miles on West Florida Republic Parkway.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on West Florida Republic Parkway and I 55. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near Carthage Point Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 217.9 miles you will encounter 13 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 2.2 miles (Carthage Point Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 39.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 125.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward I 12 East: Slidell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Merge onto I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 49 South: Gulfport, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| 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 |
| US 49 | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Carthage Point Road | 2.3 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, MS and Gulfport, MS.
Start on this road
Turn straight onto Carthage Point Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
Turn straight onto Lower Woodville Road
Turn right onto Highland Boulevard
Turn left onto US 61
Take the exit onto US 84
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto US 98; MS 184
Turn right onto US 98
Take the exit onto US 98
Continue on I 55
Take the exit
Merge onto I 12
Continue on I 12
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 49
Continue on US 49
Arrive at destination
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.
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 109 miles or 2h 11m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.
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 217.9 miles and 4h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109 mi from Carthage, MS · 2h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 109 miles from Carthage, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into 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 Gulfport, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$33.31 one way
$66.62 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $36.54 | $73.07 |
| premium | $4.61 | $39.55 | $79.10 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $48.41 | $96.82 |
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: 76.2 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 | 65.4 | 0 | $22.88 | $10.46 |
| Efficient EV | 54.5 | 0 | $19.07 | $8.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.2 | 1 | $30.51 | $13.95 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Carthage on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
88°F
Central, LA
109 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Carthage, MS or browse trips ending in Gulfport, MS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.
Explore maps for Carthage, MS or Gulfport, MS on MapSof.net.
