Gulfport to Madison is 169 miles and takes about 3 hours 33 minutes via US 49 and I-55, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey moves you from the Southeast region of Mississippi to another part of the Southeast, staying within the same state. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's best suited for a single-day trip. If you're looking for a no-fuss drive between these two points, this route offers that simplicity.
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
84.5 miles from Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 169 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 64% of the route utilizing main roads like US 49 and I-55. You'll experience a longest stretch of 95.2 miles on US 49, offering a substantial period of consistent driving. The profile suggests a mix that likely includes faster highway speeds interspersed with sections on major U.S. highways. Expect a consistent pace for most of the 169 miles, with the highway share indicating a focus on efficient travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 95.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and 25th Avenue. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 153.7 miles in near US 49.
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 169 miles you will encounter 8 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 153.7 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 154.4 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 163.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
153.7 mi into trip|~3h 11m in|US 49
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49 toward Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Jackson
4
154.4 mi into trip|~3h 13m in|US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
163.7 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 51 North: Ridgeland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 51 North: Ridgeland
4
168.7 mi into trip|~3h 32m in|Main Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
168.9 mi into trip|~3h 33m in|Depot Drive
Turn right onto Depot Drive
Navigation decision point
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 Gulfport, MS to Madison, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Jackson
153.7 mi in|~3h 11m|via US 49
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49
95.2 mi
2h
25th Avenue
60.1 mi
1h 14m
I 55
8.3 mi
10m
US 51
4.2 mi
6m
I-55 North Frontage Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Main Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Depot Drive
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 49
— 95.2 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gulfport, MS and Madison, 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
66 mi·1 hr 20 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 49
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 49
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Jackson
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.9 mi·1 min·US 49
12
Merge onto I 55
8.3 mi·10 min·I 55
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward US 51 North: Ridgeland
14
Continue on I-55 North Frontage Road
0.5 mi·46 sec·I-55 North Frontage Road
15
Turn straight onto US 51
4.2 mi·6 min·US 51
16
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·Main Street
17
Turn right onto Depot Drive
36 ft·1 sec·Depot Drive
18
Arrive at destination
Depot Drive
Trip Plan
With a duration of just over 3.5 hours, this is easily a same-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to make the most of daylight. The drive includes a significant 95.2-mile stretch on US 49, so plan for any necessary stops before or after this longer segment. Given the estimated fuel cost of $26, it's a budget-friendly trip, but always keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that long stretch, as services can vary.
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 84.5 miles from Gulfport, MS, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.2 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.5 miles or 1h 47m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, 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 169 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 US 49 for about 95.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.5 mi from Gulfport, MS
· 1h 47m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 157.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.52 one way
$51.05 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$28.02
$56.04
premium
$4.56
$30.33
$60.67
diesel
$5.61
$37.31
$74.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.7
0
$17.74
$8.11
Efficient EV
42.3
0
$14.79
$6.76
EV Truck/SUV
67.6
0
$23.66
$10.82
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Gulfport, MS
Morning
in Gulfport on Saturday
Local time
9:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Madison, MS
Morning
in Madison on Saturday
Local time
9:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Sumrall, MS
85 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
3h 33m 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 Gulfport, MS to Madison, MS covers 169 miles and takes about 3h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 49, 25th Avenue, I 55. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.5 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 $25.52 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 169 miles you will encounter 8 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 153.7 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 154.4 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 163.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Gulfport, MS to Madison, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
