Origin
Gulfport, MS
Late night in Gulfport on Monday
Local time
4:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gulfport, MS to Columbus, MS
Drive Time
4h 50m
Distance
250.6 mi
403 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 37m
★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 18m
10 AM
5h 0m
12 PM
4h 58m
3 PM
5h 2m
5 PM
5h 16m
8 PM
4h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gulfport, MS
Kei Scampa
Columbus, MS
Vladislav Anchuk
Trip Overview
The drive from Gulfport, MS to Columbus, MS covers 250.6 miles and takes about 4h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, US 45, 25th Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.4 miles on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.31 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
125.3 miles from Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from Gulfport, MS to Columbus, MS covers 250.6 miles and takes about 4h 50m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 88.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 65.3 miles in near US 98.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 250.6 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: at 65.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.5 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
65.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
US 98
Take the exit onto US 98 toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
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 I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
8
154.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
I 59
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscalo...
6
163.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 45 North: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 45 North: Macon
6
228.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m in
|
US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 North: Columbus, Aberdeen
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 45 North: Columbus, Aberdeen
6
246.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
Take the exit toward US 82 East, US 45 North, MS 12 East: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 82 East, US 45 North, MS 12 East: Col...
Towns Along This Route
Between Gulfport, MS and Columbus, MS, road signs point toward Laurel, Tuscaloosa and Aberdeen.
Laurel
65.3 mi in
|
~1h 20m
|
via US 98
Tuscaloosa
154.5 mi in
|
~2h 58m
|
via I 59
Aberdeen
228.8 mi in
|
~4h 23m
|
via US 45
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway | 88.4 mi | 1h 35m |
| US 45 | 82.8 mi | 1h 35m |
| 25th Avenue | 60.1 mi | 1h 14m |
| I 59 | 9 mi | 10m |
| US 98 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| US 49 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Plymouth Bluff Access Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
— 88.4 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gulfport, MS and Columbus, MS.
1
Start on 25th Avenue
60 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
25th Avenue
2
Continue straight
2.4 mi
·
2 min
3
Take the exit straight
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
4
Merge slight left
2.5 mi
·
2 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
6
Merge slight left onto Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
88 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 45 North: Macon
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
US 45 North: Macon
9
Merge slight left
65 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
10
Keep slight right to continue on US 45 North: Columbus, Aberdeen
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
US 45 North: Columbus, Aberdeen
11
Continue straight
14 mi
·
16 min
12
Continue on Plymouth Bluff Access Road
312 ft
·
6 sec
·
Plymouth Bluff Access Road
13
Take the exit right toward US 82 East, US 45 North, MS 12 East: Columbus
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 82 East, US 45 North, MS 12 East: Columbus
14
Take the exit slight right
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
15
Keep slight right
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
16
Turn straight onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Main Street
17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
62 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street
18
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Main Street
19
Turn left onto North 6th Street
171 ft
·
9 sec
·
North 6th Street
20
Arrive at your destination
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 125.3 miles from Gulfport, MS, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.4 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.3 miles or 2h 26m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, 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 250.6 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway for about 88.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 125.3 mi from Gulfport, MS · 2h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 125.3 miles from Gulfport, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.4 miles.
Arriving in Columbus, MS
The final approach into Columbus, 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 Columbus, 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
$38.31 one way
$76.62 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $42.02 | $84.04 |
| premium | $4.61 | $45.48 | $90.97 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.67 | $111.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.2 | 0 | $26.31 | $12.03 |
| Efficient EV | 62.7 | 0 | $21.93 | $10.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.2 | 1 | $35.08 | $16.04 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Columbus, MS
Late night in Columbus on Monday
Local time
4:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
4 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 50m 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 Columbus, MS covers 250.6 miles and takes about 4h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, US 45, 25th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125.3 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 $38.31 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 demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 250.6 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: at 65.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.5 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Gulfport, MS and Columbus, MS, road signs point toward Laurel, Tuscaloosa and Aberdeen.
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