The drive from Carthage, MS to West Gulfport, MS covers 179 miles and takes about 3h 58m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 49, MS 35, Oak Street for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 92.1 miles on US 49.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.03 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
89.5 miles from Carthage, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 179 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 58m highway drive covering 179 miles, with most of the trip on US 49 and MS 35. The longest continuous stretch is about 92.1 miles on US 49.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 49 is the longest continuous segment at about 92.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
517 ft25 ft
Total Climb
382 ft
Total Descent
712 ft
Highest Point
517 ft
~51.1 mi in
Elevation Range
492 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and MS 35. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 75.1 miles in near US 49.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 179 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 75.1 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 107.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.3 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 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
75.1 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|US 49
At end of road, turn left onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
107.2 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
7
115.3 mi into trip|~2h 40m 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
118.5 mi into trip|~2h 44m 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
118.8 mi into trip|~2h 45m 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 Carthage, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile, Gulfport, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
Gulf Coast
107.2 mi in|~2h 31m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
107.6 mi in|~2h 32m|via I 59
Mobile
115.3 mi in|~2h 40m|via US 98
Gulfport
118.5 mi in|~2h 44m
Multi Purpose Center
118.8 mi in|~2h 45m
Hattiesburg
118.8 mi in|~2h 45m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49
92.1 mi
1h 51m
MS 35
63.1 mi
1h 34m
Oak Street
10 mi
14m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
MS 28
1.3 mi
2m
South Main Street
0.6 mi
1m
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 49
— 92.1 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on MS 35
63 mi·1 hr 34 min·MS 35
2
At end of road, turn right onto MS 28; MS 35
1.3 mi·2 min·MS 28; MS 35
3
Turn left onto MS 35
10 mi·14 min·Oak Street
4
Turn left onto MS 149
0.6 mi·1 min·South Main Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 49
31 mi·37 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
16
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
17
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 89.5 miles from Carthage, MS, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.1 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 39 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.5 miles or 2h 9m 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 18m
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 179 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 US 49 for about 92.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.5 mi from Carthage, MS
· 2h 9m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.03 one way
$54.07 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$29.68
$59.35
premium
$4.56
$32.13
$64.26
diesel
$5.61
$39.52
$79.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
7 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Destination Charger
Gulfport, Mississippi
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Pilot Charging Station
Gulfport, Mississippi
Other
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 $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.7
0
$18.79
$8.59
Efficient EV
44.8
0
$15.66
$7.16
EV Truck/SUV
71.6
0
$25.06
$11.46
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Carthage, MS
Morning
in Carthage on Saturday
Local time
9:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Morning
in West Gulfport on Saturday
Local time
9:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Sumrall, MS
90 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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 58m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 179 miles and takes about 3h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 49, MS 35, Oak Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.5 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 $27.03 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 179 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 75.1 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 107.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Carthage, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile, Gulfport, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 25 ft to 517 ft elevation with about 382 ft of total climbing.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
