The drive from Ridgeland, MS to Gautier, MS covers 190.2 miles and takes about 3h 54m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 49 South, US 49, Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.72 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
95.1 miles from Ridgeland, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 190.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 54m highway drive covering 190.2 miles, with most of the trip on Highway 49 South and US 49. The longest continuous stretch is about 80.3 miles on Highway 49 South.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 49 South is the longest continuous segment at about 80.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 11.9 miles in near US 49.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 190.2 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 11.9 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.5 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
11.9 mi into trip|~16m in|US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49 toward Richland, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
7
94.4 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
7
102.5 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
105.7 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
106 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ridgeland, MS and Gautier, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile and Gulfport - among others.
Hattiesburg
11 mi in|~14m
Richland
11.9 mi in|~16m|via US 49
Gulf Coast
94.4 mi in|~1h 57m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
94.8 mi in|~1h 58m|via I 59
Mobile
102.5 mi in|~2h 6m|via US 98
Gulfport
105.7 mi in|~2h 10m
Multi Purpose Center
106 mi in|~2h 11m
Biloxi
148.1 mi in|~3h
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
44.1 mi
53m
Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
20.5 mi
24m
I 10
14.2 mi
15m
I 55
8.2 mi
10m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
Gautier Vancleave Road
3.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgeland, MS and Gautier, MS.
1
Start on Old Town Crossing
41 ft·2 sec·Old Town Crossing
2
Turn right onto West Jackson Street
0.2 mi·19 sec·West Jackson Street
3
Turn slight right
223 ft·8 sec
4
Turn straight onto US 51
2.0 mi·3 min·United States Highway 51
5
Turn left onto I-55 Frontage Road
0.3 mi·28 sec·I-55 Frontage Road
6
Continue on I- 55 North Frontage Road
442 ft·7 sec·I- 55 North Frontage Road
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
8
Merge onto I 55
8.2 mi·10 min·I 55
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
11
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
16
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto US 49
42 mi·49 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward MS 67 South: D'Iberville, Biloxi
21
Continue on MS 67
20 mi·24 min·Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
22
Continue on I 110
0.1 mi·10 sec·I 110
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 4AToward I 10 East: Pascagoula, Mobile
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 10
25
Merge onto I 10
14 mi·15 min·I 10
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Gautier, Vancleave
27
Keep slight right at fork
500 ft·10 sec
28
Turn straight onto Gautier Vancleave Road
3.1 mi·5 min·Gautier Vancleave Road
29
Turn left onto US 90
2.4 mi·4 min·US 90
30
Turn left onto Oak Street
0.2 mi·46 sec·Oak Street
31
Turn right
248 ft·11 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 95.1 miles from Ridgeland, MS, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 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 42 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.1 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gautier, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ridgeland, 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 Ridgeland, MS
This is one driving day of about 190.2 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Ridgeland, 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 Highway 49 South for about 80.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 95.1 mi from Ridgeland, MS
· 1h 58m into the drive
The midpoint is around 95.1 miles from Ridgeland, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Highway 49 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.3 miles.
Arriving in Gautier, MS
The final approach into Gautier, 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 Gautier, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.72 one way
$57.45 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$31.53
$63.07
premium
$4.56
$34.14
$68.28
diesel
$5.61
$41.99
$83.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.1
0
$19.97
$9.13
Efficient EV
47.6
0
$16.64
$7.61
EV Truck/SUV
76.1
0
$26.63
$12.17
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ridgeland, MS
Afternoon
in Ridgeland on Thursday
Local time
4:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gautier, MS
Afternoon
in Gautier on Thursday
Local time
4:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
2 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 54m 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 Ridgeland, MS to Gautier, MS covers 190.2 miles and takes about 3h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 49 South, US 49, Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.1 miles from Ridgeland, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.72 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 is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 190.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.9 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.5 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ridgeland, MS and Gautier, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile and Gulfport - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument.
