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Trip from Cleary, MS to Gulfport, MS

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

3h 8m

Distance

151.5 mi

244 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 56m ★
6 AM
3h 8m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 14m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 30m
8 PM
3h 1m

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

Downtown Cleary, MS, MS

Cleary, MS

大 董

city in Mississippi, USA

Gulfport, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward drive from Cleary to Gulfport, Mississippi, covers 151.5 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 8 minutes. It's an ideal one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. The majority of this journey, 92%, is on highways, making for efficient travel. You can expect fuel costs to be around $23 for this route. Since both your origin and destination are in the Southeast region, you'll experience a consistent regional feel throughout your drive. This route is a practical choice for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.

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

75.7 miles from Cleary, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 151.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This highway-focused drive is primarily spent on US 49 South, also known as Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway. With 92% of the trip on main roads, expect a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 72 miles on Highway 49 South. This means you'll have extended periods of highway driving before potentially encountering any changes in scenery or road type. The character of the road is predominantly about covering distance efficiently, rather than winding through diverse landscapes.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 49 South is the longest continuous segment at about 72 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 49 South and US 49. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 77.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 151.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 77.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.6 miles (I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.4 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 9 key points

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

7
77.3 mi into trip | ~1h 36m 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
6
77.6 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in | I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway toward Mississippi Gulf Coast

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

Use the straight lane. Toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
7
85.4 mi into trip | ~1h 45m 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
88.6 mi into trip | ~1h 49m 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
88.8 mi into trip | ~1h 50m 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 Cleary, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.

Gulf Coast

77.3 mi in | ~1h 36m

Mississippi Gulf Coast

77.6 mi in | ~1h 37m | via I 59

Mobile

85.4 mi in | ~1h 45m | via US 98

Multi Purpose Center

88.8 mi in | ~1h 50m

Hattiesburg

88.8 mi in | ~1h 50m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Highway 49 South 72 mi 1h 25m
US 49 63.9 mi 1h 19m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway 7.7 mi 8m
US 98 3.2 mi 4m
West Main Street 1.7 mi 4m
Florence Byram Road 1.7 mi 2m
MS 469 0.4 mi <1m
25th Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Highway 49 South — 72 mi, about 1h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Cleary Road

33 ft · 8 sec · Cleary Road
2

Turn left onto Florence Byram Road

1.7 mi · 2 min · Florence Byram Road
3

Continue on West Main Street

1.7 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
4

Continue on MS 469

0.4 mi · 41 sec · MS 469
5

Turn right onto US 49

72 mi · 1 hr 25 min · Highway 49 South
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 Coast Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 59

7.7 mi · 8 min · Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf Coast Use the straight lane.
10

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.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg Use 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

4.5 mi · 7 min · US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15

Continue on US 49

215 ft · 16 sec · 25th Avenue
16

Arrive at destination

US 49

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour duration, departing in the morning from Cleary will get you to Gulfport with plenty of daylight. The drive is efficient enough that you can be flexible with your stops, though planning one rest break for a 151.5-mile trip is a good idea. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach the 72-mile stretch on Highway 49 South; ensuring you have enough before this longer segment can prevent unnecessary detours. The estimated fuel cost of $23 makes budgeting straightforward for this direct route.

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 75.7 miles from Cleary, MS, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72 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 33 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 75.7 miles or 1h 34m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cleary, 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 Cleary, MS

This is one driving day of about 151.5 miles and 3h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Cleary, 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 Highway 49 South for about 72 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 75.7 mi from Cleary, MS · 1h 34m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hattiesburg, MS

76 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

Magee, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hattiesburg, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75.7 miles from Cleary, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Highway 49 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72 miles.

Arriving in Gulfport, MS

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.88 one way

$45.76 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $25.12 $50.23
premium $4.56 $27.19 $54.38
diesel $5.61 $33.45 $66.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 53 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.4 0 $15.91 $7.27
Efficient EV 37.9 0 $13.26 $6.06
EV Truck/SUV 60.6 0 $21.21 $9.70

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (66% 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 12, 2026

Origin

Cleary, MS

Late night in Cleary on Friday

Local time

1:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gulfport, MS

Late night in Gulfport on Friday

Local time

1:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

2 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

3h 8m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Cleary, MS to Gulfport, MS covers 151.5 miles and takes about 3h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 49 South, US 49, Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.7 miles from Cleary, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.88 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 151.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 77.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.6 miles (I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.4 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cleary, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.

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