Origin
Gulfport, MS
Morning in Gulfport on Friday
Local time
9:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gulfport, MS to Tupelo, MS
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 53m
Distance
302.5 mi
487 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 40m
★
6 AM
5h 54m
8 AM
6h 20m
10 AM
6h 3m
12 PM
6h 0m
3 PM
6h 4m
5 PM
6h 18m
8 PM
5h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gulfport, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Tupelo, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 302.5-mile drive from Gulfport, Mississippi, to Tupelo, Mississippi, will take you approximately 5 hours and 53 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost estimated at $46, it's an economical journey. The route is primarily on the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway and US 45, with a portion on 25th Avenue, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll experience a mixed drive profile, so it’s not a monotonous interstate journey. Given the duration and distance, tackling this in a single day is feasible, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
151.3 miles from Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 302.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The character of this 302.5-mile drive is a mixed bag, with 44% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter an 88.4-mile stretch on the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, which is the longest uninterrupted segment. Expect the road to transition from more developed areas to potentially more open stretches as you head north through Mississippi. While not exclusively a high-speed interstate cruise, the mix means you'll experience varying speeds and road conditions, so stay alert for changes.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 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 Effort
9/10
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 302.5 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 pointsThese 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 Tupelo, MS, road signs point toward Laurel and Tuscaloosa.
Laurel
65.3 mi in
|
~1h 20m
|
via US 98
Tuscaloosa
154.5 mi in
|
~2h 58m
|
via I 59
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 59 | 9 mi | 10m |
| US 98 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| US 49 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
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 Tupelo, 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, Laurel
Use 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, Tuscaloosa
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 45 North: Macon
Use 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, Tupelo
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Martin Luther King Drive
12
Continue on US 45; MS 6
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
13
Take the exit onto MS 6
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
MS 6
Toward MS 6 East: Downtown Tupelo
14
Keep slight left at fork
170 ft
·
7 sec
15
Turn left onto MS 6
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto North Spring Street
230 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Spring Street
17
Arrive at destination
North Spring Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 53-minute drive, planning to depart in the morning will give you ample daylight to navigate the 302.5 miles. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach the Tupelo area, and consider filling up before you hit the final stretch. A specific tip for this route: be aware that the Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway can have varying speed limits, so pay close attention to posted signs.
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 151.3 miles from Gulfport, MS, or about 2h 54m 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 67 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.3 miles or 2h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tupelo, 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 302.5 miles and 5h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 151.3 mi from Gulfport, MS · 2h 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
151 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 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 151.3 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 Tupelo, MS
The final approach into Tupelo, 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 Tupelo, 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
$45.68 one way
$91.37 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $50.15 | $100.30 |
| premium | $4.56 | $54.30 | $108.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.79 | $133.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.8 | 1 | $31.76 | $14.52 |
| Efficient EV | 75.6 | 0 | $26.47 | $12.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121 | 1 | $42.35 | $19.36 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Destination
Tupelo, MS
Morning in Tupelo on Friday
Local time
9:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Meridian, MS
151 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
18 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
5h 53m 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 Tupelo, MS covers 302.5 miles and takes about 5h 53m 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 151.3 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 $45.68 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 12 significant decision points across 302.5 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 Tupelo, MS, road signs point toward Laurel and Tuscaloosa.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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