The drive from Gulf Park Estates, MS to Meridian, MS covers 162.7 miles and takes about 3h 15m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 45, MS 63, MS 57 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 64.7 miles on US 45.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.57 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
81.4 miles from Gulf Park Estates, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 15m. Total distance: 162.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 15m highway drive covering 162.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 45 and MS 63. The longest continuous stretch is about 64.7 miles on US 45.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 45 is the longest continuous segment at about 64.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 45 and MS 63. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Palmetto Drive.
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 162.7 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 0.2 miles (Palmetto Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Beachview Drive): Navigation decision point; at 16.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Palmetto Drive
Turn right onto Palmetto Drive
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~1m in|Beachview Drive
Turn left onto Beachview Drive
Navigation decision point
5
16.9 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward MS 63: East Moss Point, East Pascagoula
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 63: East Moss Point, East Pascagoula
6
157.4 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Take the exit toward MS 145: Meridian
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MS 145: Meridian
6
157.7 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|MS 145
At end of road, turn left onto MS 145
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Gulf Park Estates, MS to Meridian, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Pascagoula along the way.
Pascagoula
16.9 mi in|~23m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 45
64.7 mi
1h 15m
MS 63
51.3 mi
58m
MS 57
24.2 mi
27m
I 10
11 mi
11m
MS 145
4.8 mi
8m
Mississippi Highway 57
3.1 mi
5m
Old Spanish Trail
2.3 mi
4m
8th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 45
— 64.7 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gulf Park Estates, MS and Meridian, MS.
1
Start on North 6th Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·North 6th Street
2
Turn right onto Palmetto Drive
346 ft·20 sec·Palmetto Drive
3
Turn left onto Beachview Drive
498 ft·18 sec·Beachview Drive
4
Turn right onto Old Spanish Trail
2.3 mi·4 min·Old Spanish Trail
5
Turn left onto Mississippi Highway 57
3.1 mi·5 min·Mississippi Highway 57
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
7
Merge onto I 10
11 mi·11 min·I 10
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward MS 63: East Moss Point, East Pascagoula
9
Keep slight left at fork
235 ft·10 sec
10
Turn left onto MS 63
51 mi·58 min·MS 63
11
Continue on MS 57
22 mi·24 min·MS 57
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on MS 57
2.3 mi·2 min·MS 57
Use the straight lane.
13
Merge onto US 45
16 mi·19 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 45
0.9 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 45
6.1 mi·7 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 45
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 45
1.7 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 45
1.8 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 45
6.3 mi·7 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 45
5.6 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 45
3.5 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 45
4.7 mi·5 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 45
5.3 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 45
3.7 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 45
1.3 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 45
6.4 mi·7 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
Toward MS 145: MeridianUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
At end of road, turn left onto MS 145
4.8 mi·8 min·MS 145
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn left onto 8th Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·8th Street
30
Turn left onto 25th Avenue
272 ft·11 sec·25th Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
25th 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 81.4 miles from Gulf Park Estates, MS, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.7 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 36 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.4 miles or 1h 37m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meridian, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gulf Park Estates, 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 Gulf Park Estates, MS
This is one driving day of about 162.7 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Gulf Park Estates, 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 45 for about 64.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.4 mi from Gulf Park Estates, MS
· 1h 37m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.57 one way
$49.14 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$26.97
$53.95
premium
$4.56
$29.20
$58.41
diesel
$5.61
$35.92
$71.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.8
0
$17.08
$7.81
Efficient EV
40.7
0
$14.24
$6.51
EV Truck/SUV
65.1
0
$22.78
$10.41
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Gulf Park Estates, MS
Morning
in Gulf Park Estates on Saturday
Local time
8:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Meridian, MS
Morning
in Meridian on Saturday
Local time
8:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Waynesboro, MS
81 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
22 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 15m 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 Gulf Park Estates, MS to Meridian, MS covers 162.7 miles and takes about 3h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 45, MS 63, MS 57. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.4 miles from Gulf Park Estates, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.57 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 162.7 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 0.2 miles (Palmetto Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Beachview Drive): Navigation decision point; at 16.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Gulf Park Estates, MS to Meridian, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Pascagoula along the way.
