The drive from Ridgeland, MS to Bay Saint Louis, MS covers 179.2 miles and takes about 3h 47m 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, Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, MS 603 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 $27.06 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
89.6 miles from Ridgeland, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 179.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 47m highway drive covering 179.2 miles, with most of the trip on Highway 49 South and Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway. 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 22 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 Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 179.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles (US 49 / Highway 49 South): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
11 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattie...
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
5
12.7 mi into trip|~17m in|US 49 / Highway 49 South
Merge onto US 49 / Highway 49 South
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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
6
94.8 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
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 Bay Saint Louis, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Necaise.
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
Necaise
134.9 mi in|~2h 41m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
40.1 mi
43m
MS 603
25 mi
37m
South Main Street
15.7 mi
23m
I 55
8.2 mi
10m
US 49
2.2 mi
3m
US 90
2.1 mi
3m
United States Highway 51
2 mi
3m
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 Bay Saint Louis, 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
40 mi·43 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward MS 53: Poplarville, Necaise
17
Turn left onto MS 53
16 mi·23 min·South Main Street
18
Continue on MS 603
25 mi·37 min·MS 603
19
Turn left onto US 90
2.1 mi·3 min·US 90
20
Turn right onto Main Street
1.1 mi·1 min·Main Street
21
Turn right onto South 2nd Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·South 2nd Street
22
Arrive at destination
South 2nd Street
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 89.6 miles from Ridgeland, MS, or about 1h 51m 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 39 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.6 miles or 1h 51m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bay Saint Louis, 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 179.2 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 89.6 mi from Ridgeland, MS
· 1h 51m into the drive
The midpoint is around 89.6 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 Bay Saint Louis, MS
The final approach into Bay Saint Louis, 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 Bay Saint Louis, 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...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.8
0
$18.82
$8.60
Efficient EV
44.8
0
$15.68
$7.17
EV Truck/SUV
71.7
0
$25.09
$11.47
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Morning
in Ridgeland on Thursday
Local time
11:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bay Saint Louis, MS
Morning
in Bay Saint Louis on Thursday
Local time
11:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°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
33 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 47m 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 Bay Saint Louis, MS covers 179.2 miles and takes about 3h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 49 South, Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, MS 603. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.6 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 $27.06 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 179.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles (US 49 / Highway 49 South): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Ridgeland, MS and Bay Saint Louis, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Necaise.
