Drive Time
5h 36m
Distance
274.2 mi
441 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
Photo: 大 董
Spanning 274.2 miles from the Mississippi Delta to the Gulf Coast, this journey takes you across the state in about 5 hours and 36 minutes. You will primarily navigate via Highway 49 South and US 49, making it a straightforward trek that fits into a single day of travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $42, the trip is quite budget-friendly for those looking to reach Biloxi efficiently. While you could technically push through in one go, planning for at least one stop will keep you refreshed behind the wheel. This route offers a direct transition from the interior Southeast to the coastal region, providing a clear change in scenery without requiring an overnight stay.
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
137.1 miles from Leland, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused drive where roughly 65% of your time is spent on major thoroughfares. The road feels consistent as you transition from Leland toward the coast, though you should prepare for a longest uninterrupted stretch of 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South. Because the route relies heavily on major highways, you can maintain a steady pace rather than navigating technical local roads. The character of the drive is practical and functional, designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal detours. You will experience a blend of open stretches and occasional navigation through North Martin Luther King Drive as you near your destination.
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 111.6 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 21 significant decision points across 274.2 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 111.6 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202.9 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 Leland, MS and Biloxi, 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
Gulfport
Multi Purpose Center
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 49 South | 80.3 mi | 1h 37m |
| US 49 | 53.4 mi | 1h 4m |
| North Martin Luther King Drive | 46.2 mi | 55m |
| Jerry Clower Boulevard | 38.8 mi | 47m |
| Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway | 20.5 mi | 24m |
| US 82 | 15.5 mi | 18m |
| Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| US 98 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Leland, MS and Biloxi, MS.
Start on North Broad Street
Turn left onto South Deer Creek Drive East
At end of road, turn left onto US 82; US 278
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
Take the exit
Continue on MS 67
Continue on I 110
Take the exit
Turn left onto Division Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Turn left onto Howard Avenue
Arrive at destination
Since this is a roughly 5.5-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid midday traffic and ensure you arrive in Biloxi with plenty of daylight left. Budget for at least one planned stop to break up the monotony of the long highway stretches. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 80.3-mile stretch on Highway 49 South, as consistent speeds can burn through your tank faster than expected. The flexibility of a single-day trip allows you to adjust your pace based on how you feel, but staying hydrated is key for a drive of this duration. Use the $42 fuel estimate as a baseline for your travel budget, but keep a little extra set aside for potential price fluctuations along the corridor.
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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.1 miles or 2h 49m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Biloxi, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Leland, 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 Leland, MS
This is one driving day of about 274.2 miles and 5h 36m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 137.1 mi from Leland, MS · 2h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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 137.1 miles from Leland, 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 Biloxi, 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 Biloxi, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$41.92 one way
$83.84 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $45.98 | $91.95 |
| premium | $4.61 | $49.77 | $99.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $60.92 | $121.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.3 | 1 | $28.79 | $13.16 |
| Efficient EV | 68.6 | 0 | $23.99 | $10.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.7 | 1 | $38.39 | $17.55 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Leland on Sunday
Local time
2:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Biloxi on Sunday
Local time
2:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
137 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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