Drive Time
5h 44m
Distance
289.9 mi
467 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
Photo: Kei Scampa
The drive from Houston, MS to Gulfport, MS covers 289.9 miles and takes about 5h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 59, US 49, US Highway 45 Aiternate for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.7 miles on I 59. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.32 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
145 miles from Houston, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
This is a 5h 44m highway drive covering 289.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 59 and US 49. The longest continuous stretch is about 88.7 miles on I 59.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 135.1 miles in near I 59.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 289.9 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 135.1 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 223.8 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 98 toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Between Houston, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans, Mobile, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
New Orleans
Mobile
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Multi Purpose Center
Hattiesburg
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 88.7 mi | 1h 36m |
| US 49 | 62.4 mi | 1h 17m |
| US Highway 45 Aiternate | 60.6 mi | 1h 9m |
| US Highway 45 Alternate | 43 mi | 52m |
| East Madison Street | 18.2 mi | 27m |
| I 20 | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| US 45 | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| US 98 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Houston, MS and Gulfport, MS.
Start on East Hamilton Street
Turn right onto North Jefferson Street
Turn left onto MS 8
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Take the exit
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
Take the exit onto US 98
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto US 49
Turn straight onto US 49
Continue on US 49
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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145 miles or 2h 56m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Houston, 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 Houston, MS
This is one driving day of about 289.9 miles and 5h 44m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145 mi from Houston, MS · 2h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
145 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 145 miles from Houston, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.7 miles.
The final approach into Gulfport, 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 Gulfport, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$44.32 one way
$88.64 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $48.61 | $97.22 |
| premium | $4.61 | $52.62 | $105.23 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $64.41 | $128.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87 | 1 | $30.44 | $13.92 |
| Efficient EV | 72.5 | 0 | $25.37 | $11.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116 | 1 | $40.59 | $18.55 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Houston on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
145 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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