The drive from Gulfport, MS to Itawamba County, MS covers 325 miles and takes about 6h 23m 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 $49.08 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
162.5 miles from Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 7m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 23m. Total distance: 325 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Gulfport, MS to Itawamba County, MS covers 325 miles and takes about 6h 23m, 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 21 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 62.9 miles in near US 98.
Driving Effort9/10
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 12 significant decision points across 325 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 62.9 miles (US 98): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
62.9 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|US 98
Merge onto US 98
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
8
228.8 mi into trip|~4h 23m in|US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupel...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gulfport, MS and Itawamba County, MS, road signs point toward Laurel, Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
Laurel
65.3 mi in|~1h 20m|via US 98
Tuscaloosa
154.5 mi in|~2h 58m|via I 59
Tupelo
228.8 mi in|~4h 23m|via US 45 ALT
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
88.4 mi
1h 35m
US 45
65.1 mi
1h 14m
25th Avenue
60.1 mi
1h 14m
US Highway 45 Alternate
53 mi
1h 3m
Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi
20m
I 22
14.3 mi
15m
I 59
9 mi
10m
South Eason Boulevard
4.9 mi
7m
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 Itawamba County, 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
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
4
Merge onto US 98
2.5 mi·2 min·US 98
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 98
0.8 mi·1 min·US 98
Toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, LaurelUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 59; US 98
88 mi·1 hr 35 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59
9.0 mi·10 min·I 59
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, TuscaloosaUse the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward US 45 North: MaconUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto US 45
65 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, TupeloUse the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi·20 min·Martin Luther King Drive
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Eason Boulevard
13
Turn straight onto South Eason Boulevard
4.9 mi·7 min·South Eason Boulevard
14
Continue on CR 931
0.1 mi·20 sec·Auburn Road
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
16
Merge onto I 22; US 78
14 mi·15 min·I 22; US 78
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Fulton, Amory
18
Turn slight left onto South Adams Street
2.2 mi·3 min·South Adams Street
19
Turn right onto MS 178
2.4 mi·4 min·East Main Street
20
Turn left onto Walton Road Southwest
0.2 mi·35 sec·Walton Road Southwest
21
Arrive at destination
Walton Road Southwest
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.5 miles from Gulfport, MS, or about 3h 7m 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 72 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.5 miles or 3h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Itawamba County, 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 325 miles and 6h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 162.5 mi from Gulfport, MS
· 3h 7m into the drive
The midpoint is around 162.5 miles from Gulfport, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.4 miles.
Arriving in Itawamba County, MS
The final approach into Itawamba County, 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 Itawamba County, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Tupelo National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 302.6
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 302.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.08 one way
$98.17 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$53.88
$107.76
premium
$4.56
$58.33
$116.67
diesel
$5.61
$71.76
$143.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.5
1
$34.13
$15.60
Efficient EV
81.3
0
$28.44
$13.00
EV Truck/SUV
130
1
$45.50
$20.80
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Gulfport, MS
Afternoon
in Gulfport on Thursday
Local time
3:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Itawamba County, MS
Afternoon
in Itawamba County on Thursday
Local time
3:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Meridian, MS
163 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
19 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
6h 23m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Itawamba County, MS covers 325 miles and takes about 6h 23m 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 162.5 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 $49.08 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 12 significant decision points across 325 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 62.9 miles (US 98): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Between Gulfport, MS and Itawamba County, MS, road signs point toward Laurel, Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Tupelo National Battlefield and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail.
