Origin
Meridian, MS
Evening in Meridian on Sunday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Meridian, MS to Gulfport, MS
Drive Time
3h 5m
Distance
159.4 mi
257 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 54m
★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 28m
8 PM
2h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Meridian, MS
RDNE Stock project
Gulfport, MS
Kei Scampa
Trip Overview
Traveling from Meridian to Gulfport covers 159.4 miles of Mississippi landscape, typically taking about 3 hours and 5 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused route, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $24 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable regional excursion within the Southeast. Since the drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure or build in time for a stop along the way. Whether you are heading to the coast for business or a quick getaway, this route provides a direct connection between inland Mississippi and the Gulf Coast.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.7 miles from Meridian, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
This journey is dominated by high-speed travel, with highways accounting for 98% of your time on the road. You will spend the bulk of the trip navigating I-59, US-49, and US-98, starting with a significant 88.7-mile stretch on I-59. The route offers a consistent, fast-paced experience rather than a winding backroads tour. As you transition from the interstate onto US-49 and US-98, you remain on major thoroughfares designed for efficiency. Expect a predictable, steady drive where the primary focus is maintaining speed and staying alert during the long, uninterrupted segments.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 88.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US 49. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in near I 59.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 159.4 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
4.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 59
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
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
7
93.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
US 98
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
7
96.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gu...
9
96.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
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
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
6
96.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
US 49
Turn right onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Meridian, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Mobile, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
Mobile
93.3 mi in
|
~1h 42m
|
via US 98
Mississippi Gulf Coast
96.5 mi in
|
~1h 47m
Multi Purpose Center
96.8 mi in
|
~1h 47m
Hattiesburg
96.8 mi in
|
~1h 47m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 88.7 mi | 1h 36m |
| US 49 | 62.4 mi | 1h 17m |
| US 98 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| I 20 | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| 8th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Airport Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| North Frontage Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 25th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 88.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meridian, MS and Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on 25th Avenue
272 ft
·
17 sec
·
25th Avenue
2
Turn left onto 8th Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
8th Street
3
Turn left onto MS 19
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Airport Boulevard
4
Turn right onto North Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
North Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 20; I 59; US 80
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 20; I 59; US 80
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
89 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
US 49
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 49
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on US 49
215 ft
·
16 sec
·
25th Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
US 49
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour journey, consider planning at least one stop to break up the drive and stretch your legs. Since you are spending roughly $24 on gas, topping off your tank before leaving Meridian ensures you won't have to worry about fuel prices once you hit the road. Keep a close eye on your speedometer, especially during the transition between the interstate and the US highway segments where speed limits may fluctuate. Because the route is short, you have the advantage of being able to leave early in the morning to beat traffic or wait until midday for a more relaxed departure. Prioritize steady pacing to keep the trip stress-free from start to finish.
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 79.7 miles from Meridian, MS, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.7 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.7 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Meridian, 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 Meridian, MS
This is one driving day of about 159.4 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Meridian, 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 I 59 for about 88.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.7 mi from Meridian, MS · 1h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79.7 miles from Meridian, 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.
Arriving in Gulfport, MS
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.37 one way
$48.74 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $26.73 | $53.46 |
| premium | $4.61 | $28.93 | $57.86 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.41 | $70.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.8 | 0 | $16.74 | $7.65 |
| Efficient EV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.95 | $6.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.8 | 0 | $22.32 | $10.20 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Gulfport, MS
Evening in Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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
3h 5m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Meridian, MS to Gulfport, MS covers 159.4 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 59, US 49, US 98. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.7 miles from Meridian, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.37 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 159.4 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Meridian, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Mobile, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
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