Drive Time
4h 12m
Distance
218.5 mi
352 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
Photo: 大 董
The drive from Gulfport, MS to Carthage, MS covers 218.5 miles and takes about 4h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway, West Florida Republic Parkway, I 10 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56.4 miles on Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.40 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
109.3 miles from Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
This is a 4h 12m highway drive covering 218.5 miles, with most of the trip on Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway and West Florida Republic Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 56.4 miles on Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway and West Florida Republic Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in near I 10.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 218.5 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 4.8 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.6 miles (I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.9 miles (I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway toward I 12, I 59: Hammond, Baton Rouge, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Continue onto I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway toward I 12: Hammond, Baton Rouge
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 55: Jackson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 55 / Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Between Gulfport, MS and Carthage, MS, road signs point toward Baton Rouge and Hattiesburg.
Baton Rouge
Hattiesburg
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway | 56.4 mi | 1h |
| West Florida Republic Parkway | 47.8 mi | 51m |
| I 10 | 39.8 mi | 42m |
| US 84 | 34.7 mi | 40m |
| US 98 | 30.1 mi | 34m |
| 25th Avenue | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| Carthage Point Road | 2.3 mi | 8m |
| Highland Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Gulfport, MS and Carthage, MS.
Start on US 49
Take the exit
Merge onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 12
Continue on I 12
Take the exit
Merge onto I 55
Take the exit onto US 98
At end of road, turn left onto US 98; MS 184
Take the exit
Merge onto US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
Turn right onto Highland Boulevard
Turn left onto Lower Woodville Road
Continue on Carthage Point Road
Turn slight right
Arrive at destination
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.
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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.3 miles or 2h 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carthage, MS than in the middle of the route.
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 218.5 miles and 4h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109.3 mi from Gulfport, MS · 2h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 109.3 miles from Gulfport, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$33.40 one way
$66.81 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $36.64 | $73.27 |
| premium | $4.61 | $39.66 | $79.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $48.54 | $97.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.6 | 0 | $22.94 | $10.49 |
| Efficient EV | 54.6 | 0 | $19.12 | $8.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.4 | 1 | $30.59 | $13.98 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
3:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Carthage on Sunday
Local time
3:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
88°F
Central, LA
109 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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