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Trip from Gautier, MS to Ridgeland, MS

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 54m

Distance

188.1 mi

303 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 42m ★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 20m
10 AM
4h 3m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 5m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 47m

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

Downtown Gautier, MS, MS

Gautier, MS

Bingqian Li

city in Madison County, Mississippi, United States

Ridgeland, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Gautier, MS to Ridgeland, MS covers 188.1 miles and takes about 3h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 49, Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway, I 10 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 135 miles on US 49. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.41 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

94 miles from Gautier, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 188.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 54m highway drive covering 188.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 49 and Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 135 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 29 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 135 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Oak Street.

Driving Effort 10/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 188.1 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: near the start (Oak Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Oak Street

At end of road, turn left onto Oak Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

6
20 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit toward I 110, MS 15, MS 67: Biloxi, Keesler Air Force Base

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

Exit 46D-B Toward I 110, MS 15, MS 67: Biloxi, Keesler Air...
5
20.2 mi into trip | ~26m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

7
20.4 mi into trip | ~27m in

Keep slight right at fork toward MS 15, MS 67: MS 15, MS 67

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 46C Toward MS 15, MS 67: MS 15, MS 67
6
41.1 mi into trip | ~51m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 49 North: Hattiesburg, Jackson

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 49 North: Hattiesburg, Jackson

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Gautier, MS and Ridgeland, MS, road signs point toward Keesler Air Force Base and Jackson.

Keesler Air Force Base

20 mi in | ~26m

Jackson

41.1 mi in | ~51m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 49 135 mi 2h 46m
Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway 20.4 mi 23m
I 10 13.9 mi 14m
I 55 10.7 mi 13m
Gautier Vancleave Road 3.2 mi 6m
US 90 2.4 mi 3m
West Jackson Street 0.4 mi <1m
Oak Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 49 — 135 mi, about 2h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gautier, MS and Ridgeland, MS.

1

Start on this road

248 ft · 17 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn left onto Oak Street

0.2 mi · 45 sec · Oak Street
3

Turn right onto US 90

2.4 mi · 3 min · US 90
4

Turn right onto Gautier Vancleave Road

3.2 mi · 6 min · Gautier Vancleave Road
5

Turn left

0.2 mi · 31 sec
6

Merge onto I 10

14 mi · 14 min · I 10
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 46D-B Toward I 110, MS 15, MS 67: Biloxi, Keesler Air Force Base
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 46C Toward MS 15, MS 67: MS 15, MS 67
10

Merge onto MS 15; MS 67

20 mi · 23 min · Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
Use the straight lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward US 49 North: Hattiesburg, Jackson
12

Merge onto US 49

40 mi · 46 min · US 49
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on US 49

2.4 mi · 2 min · US 49
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn straight onto US 49

10 mi · 16 min · US 49
Use the straight lane.
15

Continue on US 49; MS 42

5.4 mi · 6 min · US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on US 49

5.3 mi · 6 min · US 49
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on US 49

0.2 mi · 14 sec · US 49
Use the straight lane.
18

Continue on US 49

4.2 mi · 4 min · US 49
Use the straight lane.
19

Continue on US 49

66 mi · 1 hr 20 min · US 49
Use the straight lane.
20

Take the exit onto US 49

0.2 mi · 21 sec · US 49
21

Keep slight left at fork onto US 49

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 49
Toward Jackson
22

Keep slight right at fork onto US 49

0.9 mi · 1 min · US 49
23

Merge onto I 55

11 mi · 13 min · I 55
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward Ridgeland
25

Turn right onto Old Agency Road

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Old Agency Road
26

Continue on Sunnybrook Road

511 ft · 10 sec · Sunnybrook Road
27

Continue on West Jackson Street

0.4 mi · 49 sec · West Jackson Street
28

Turn right onto Old Town Crossing

41 ft · 1 sec · Old Town Crossing
29

Arrive at destination

Old Town Crossing

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 94 miles from Gautier, MS, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135 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 41 miles or 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 94 miles or 1h 58m 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 11m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Gautier, 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 Gautier, MS

This is one driving day of about 188.1 miles and 3h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Gautier, 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 135 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 94 mi from Gautier, MS · 1h 58m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hattiesburg, MS

94 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

Hattiesburg, MS to Ridgeland, MS

99.6 mi · 1h 44m

Pacing Suggestions

Saucier, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hattiesburg, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 94 miles from Gautier, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135 miles.

Arriving in Ridgeland, MS

The final approach into Ridgeland, 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 Ridgeland, MS.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.41 one way

$56.82 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $31.18 $62.37
premium $4.56 $33.76 $67.52
diesel $5.61 $41.53 $83.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 56.4 0 $19.75 $9.03
Efficient EV 47 0 $16.46 $7.52
EV Truck/SUV 75.2 0 $26.33 $12.04

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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 15, 2026

Origin

Gautier, MS

Afternoon in Gautier on Thursday

Local time

3:11 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ridgeland, MS

Afternoon in Ridgeland on Thursday

Local time

3:11 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°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 54m 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 Gautier, MS to Ridgeland, MS covers 188.1 miles and takes about 3h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 49, Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway, I 10. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 94 miles from Gautier, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.41 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 is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 188.1 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: near the start (Oak Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 20 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Gautier, MS and Ridgeland, MS, road signs point toward Keesler Air Force Base and Jackson.

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