Drive Time
3h 28m
Distance
161 mi
259 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Photo: 大 董
Traveling from Ocean Springs to Brandon is a straightforward 161-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 28 minutes. Because this route is entirely within Mississippi, you will stay within the Southeast region for the duration of your trip. It works perfectly as a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting roughly $25 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since the drive is focused on highways, it is a practical choice for those who want to get from the coast to the interior of the state efficiently.
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
80.5 miles from Ocean Springs, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
This highway-focused drive relies heavily on US 49, the Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway, and Highway 18 to keep you moving toward your destination. With 95% of your travel taking place on highways, you can expect a consistent pace throughout the ride. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the longest stretch of the trip, which covers 105.6 miles on US 49. The road maintains a steady, functional character that prioritizes directness over winding, local backroads. Expect a reliable, predictable experience behind the wheel that allows you to focus on the road ahead.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 161 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 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 110, MS 15, MS 67: Biloxi, Keesler Air Force Base
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork toward MS 15, MS 67: MS 15, MS 67
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward US 49 North: Hattiesburg, Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
At end of road, turn left onto US 80 / East Government Street
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Ocean Springs, MS to Brandon, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Jackson
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 49 | 105.6 mi | 2h 9m |
| Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway | 20.4 mi | 23m |
| Highway 18 | 16 mi | 23m |
| Highway 13 North | 9 mi | 13m |
| Washington Avenue | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| Louis Wilson Drive | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| I 10 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| East Government Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ocean Springs, MS and Brandon, MS.
Start on Washington Avenue
Turn left
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto MS 15; MS 67
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 49
Continue on US 49
Turn straight onto US 49
Continue on US 49; MS 42
Continue on US 49
Continue on US 49
Continue on US 49
Continue on US 49
Take the exit
Turn right onto MS 13
Turn left onto MS 18
Turn right onto Louis Wilson Drive
At end of road, turn left onto US 80
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid potential traffic. Planning for at least one stop along the way will help you break up the 161-mile trek and keep you refreshed. Given the heavy reliance on US 49 for the majority of your travel, stay alert for changes in speed limits as you transition between sections. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting the longest 105.6-mile stretch to ensure you don't have to worry about finding a station in the middle of that segment. Taking advantage of the single recommended stop will make the three-and-a-half-hour drive feel much more manageable.
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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.5 miles or 1h 42m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brandon, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Ocean Springs, 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 Ocean Springs, MS
This is one driving day of about 161 miles and 3h 28m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.5 mi from Ocean Springs, MS · 1h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 80.5 miles from Ocean Springs, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.6 miles.
The final approach into Brandon, 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 Brandon, MS.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$24.61 one way
$49.23 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $27.00 | $53.99 |
| premium | $4.61 | $29.22 | $58.44 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.77 | $71.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.3 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 | 48.3 | 0 | $16.90 | $7.73 |
| Efficient EV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.09 | $6.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.54 | $10.30 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Ocean Springs on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Brandon on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
81 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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