Origin
Gulfport, MS
Night in Gulfport on Wednesday
Local time
11:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gulfport, MS to Carthage, MS
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 3m
Distance
179.1 mi
288 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 50m
★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 14m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gulfport, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Carthage, MS
Anton Ivanov
Trip Overview
This 179.1-mile drive from Gulfport, MS to Carthage, MS is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 3 minutes to complete. Expect a fuel cost of around $27 for this journey, which primarily follows MS 35 and US 49. With a highway share of 66%, this route offers a straightforward driving experience. The drive is focused on highways, making it a practical option for getting between these two points within the Southeast region. Given the relatively short duration, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations.
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
89.6 miles from Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is largely a highway-focused drive, with 66% of the mileage on faster roads. You'll experience a considerable stretch of 73.2 miles on MS 35, providing an extended period of consistent travel. The route transitions between major highways like US 49 and state routes such as MS 35, offering a mix of speeds and road types. While primarily highway-oriented, expect some sections on 25th Avenue as you navigate through populated areas. The overall feel is one of efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MS 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 73.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 35 and 25th Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 62.6 miles in near US 49.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 62.6 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 104.1 miles (MS 149 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 104.6 miles (MS 35): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
62.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
US 49
Turn straight onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
3
104.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
|
MS 149 / South Main Street
Turn right onto MS 149 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
3
104.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
|
MS 35
Turn right onto MS 35
Navigation decision point
4
114.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
|
MS 28; MS 35
Turn right onto MS 28; MS 35
Navigation decision point
3
116 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
MS 35
Turn left onto MS 35
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MS 35 | 73.2 mi | 1h 48m |
| 25th Avenue | 60.1 mi | 1h 14m |
| US 49 | 43.9 mi | 56m |
| MS 28 | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
MS 35
— 73.2 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gulfport, MS and Carthage, MS.
1
Start on US 49
60 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
25th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on US 49
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
US 49
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Turn straight onto US 49
10 mi
·
16 min
·
US 49
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 49; MS 42
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 49
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
US 49
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 49
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
US 49
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 49
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
US 49
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 49
16 mi
·
19 min
·
US 49
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto MS 149
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
10
Turn right onto MS 35
10 mi
·
14 min
·
MS 35
11
Turn right onto MS 28; MS 35
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
MS 28; MS 35
12
Turn left onto MS 35
63 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
MS 35
13
Arrive at destination
MS 35
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, departing in the morning will allow you to reach Carthage with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one suggested stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 73.2 miles on MS 35, as services might be less frequent. Since this is a single-day trip, you can afford to be flexible with your departure time. A good tip is to check local traffic conditions around Gulfport before you set off, as early morning congestion can add unexpected time to your initial miles on 25th Avenue.
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 89.6 miles from Gulfport, MS, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.2 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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.6 miles or 1h 53m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carthage, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gulfport, 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 Gulfport, MS
This is one driving day of about 179.1 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Gulfport, 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 MS 35 for about 73.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.6 mi from Gulfport, MS · 1h 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.6 miles from Gulfport, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MS 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.2 miles.
Arriving in Carthage, MS
The final approach into Carthage, 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 Carthage, 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
$27.05 one way
$54.10 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $29.69 | $59.39 |
| premium | $4.56 | $32.15 | $64.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.54 | $79.09 |
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: 62.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.81 | $8.60 |
| Efficient EV | 44.8 | 0 | $15.67 | $7.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.07 | $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.
Destination
Carthage, MS
Night in Carthage on Wednesday
Local time
11:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°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
1 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
4h 3m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Gulfport, MS to Carthage, MS covers 179.1 miles and takes about 4h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MS 35, 25th Avenue, US 49. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.6 miles from Gulfport, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.05 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 62.6 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 104.1 miles (MS 149 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 104.6 miles (MS 35): Navigation decision point.
The route from Gulfport, MS to Carthage, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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