Drive Time
5h 12m
Distance
253.4 mi
408 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
Photo: Kei Scampa
Traveling from Indianola to Gulfport covers 253.4 miles, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 12 minutes of drive time. Because the trip is straightforward, you can easily complete it in a single day, making it a practical choice for those looking to reach the Gulf Coast without a lengthy overnight stay. Budgeting around $39 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire trek across Mississippi. You will primarily utilize Highway 49 South and US 49 to navigate from the Delta region toward the coast. While the drive is manageable in one stint, consider your comfort level with over five hours behind the wheel before heading out.
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
126.7 miles from Indianola, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 63% of your journey spent on high-speed routes. Expect a consistent pace as you transition from the interior of the state toward the southern region. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on Highway 49 South, where you will cover 80.3 miles at a time. The character of the road is functional and direct, prioritizing efficiency over winding, technical turns. As you navigate North Martin Luther King Drive and the surrounding highway system, you will find a predictable, steady experience that allows you to make good time.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 49 South and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 96 miles in near I 20; US 49.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 253.4 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 96 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.3 miles (US 98): 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 right at fork onto I 20; US 49 toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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
Between Indianola, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Meridian, Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mobile - among others.
Meridian
Hattiesburg
Richland
Gulf Coast
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Mobile
Multi Purpose Center
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 49 South | 80.3 mi | 1h 37m |
| US 49 | 73.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| North Martin Luther King Drive | 45.4 mi | 54m |
| Jerry Clower Boulevard | 38.8 mi | 47m |
| Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| US 98 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| I 20 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| 2nd Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Indianola, MS and Gulfport, MS.
Start on Lee Street
Turn right onto Alexander Avenue
Turn right onto Westside Avenue
Turn right onto 2nd Street
Turn right onto US 49W
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W
Merge onto US 49
Take the exit onto US 49
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
Take the exit onto US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Merge onto US 49
Continue on US 49; MS 42
Continue on US 49; MS 42
Take the exit
Merge 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
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure early in the morning to avoid midday traffic and ensure you reach your destination well before nightfall. Since the route includes one recommended stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refresh your focus during the 253.4-mile transit. Given that your fuel budget is approximately $39, keep an eye on your gauge during the longer highway stretches to ensure you aren't caught off guard. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on real-time traffic conditions. Prioritize keeping your fuel levels consistent, especially before hitting the longest 80.3-mile stretch on Highway 49 South.
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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.7 miles or 2h 37m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Indianola, 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 Indianola, MS
This is one driving day of about 253.4 miles and 5h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.7 mi from Indianola, MS · 2h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 126.7 miles from Indianola, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Highway 49 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.3 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
$38.74 one way
$77.48 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $42.49 | $84.98 |
| premium | $4.61 | $45.99 | $91.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $56.30 | $112.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76 | 0 | $26.61 | $12.16 |
| Efficient EV | 63.4 | 0 | $22.17 | $10.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.4 | 1 | $35.48 | $16.22 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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
Morning in Indianola on Sunday
Local time
6:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
6:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
127 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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