Drive Time
6h 56m
Distance
352.3 mi
567 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
Photo: 大 董
Spanning 352.3 miles, this trek from Ripley to Biloxi takes you across the state of Mississippi in approximately 6 hours and 56 minutes. You will primarily utilize I-59 and US Highway 45 Alternate to navigate the journey. Because this trip is manageable within a single day, you can complete it without an overnight stay if you get an early start. Budgeting around $54 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural atmosphere as you transition from the northern part of the state down to the Gulf Coast.
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
176.2 miles from Ripley, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 33m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 93 percent of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend a significant portion of your time on major thoroughfares, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 88.7 miles on I-59. The road maintains a steady, efficient pace that favors speed over winding backroads. While the drive is straightforward, the transition between highway systems requires your attention to ensure you stay on the correct path toward the coast. It is a functional, direct route designed to get you from the top of the state to the water with minimal detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 59 and US Highway 45 Aiternate. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.7 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 352.3 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 20.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.3 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281 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.
Take the ramp toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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 Ripley, MS and Biloxi, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans, Mobile, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
New Orleans
Mobile
Gulfport
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Multi Purpose Center
Hattiesburg
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 59 | 88.7 mi | 1h 36m |
| US Highway 45 Aiternate | 60.6 mi | 1h 9m |
| US Highway 45 Alternate | 54.7 mi | 1h 6m |
| US 49 | 41.9 mi | 49m |
| I 22 | 21.8 mi | 23m |
| Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway | 20.5 mi | 24m |
| City Avenue South | 20.2 mi | 30m |
| US 45 | 18 mi | 21m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ripley, MS and Biloxi, MS.
Start on West Walnut Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Turn right onto MS 15
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 22; US 78
Take the exit
Merge onto US 45
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45 ALT
Continue on US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Take the exit
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
Keep slight left at fork 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
Planning for one scheduled stop will help you maintain your energy levels during this nearly seven-hour drive. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach Biloxi before the evening traffic peaks. Since the majority of the trip is interstate-based, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer 88.7-mile stretches where service stations may be spaced further apart. Flexibility is a major advantage here; since you aren't forced into an overnight stay, use your single recommended stop to stretch your legs and reset before the final push to the coast.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.2 miles or 3h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Biloxi, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Ripley, 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 Ripley, MS
This is one driving day of about 352.3 miles and 6h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 176.2 mi from Ripley, MS · 3h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
176 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 176.2 miles from Ripley, 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.
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
$53.86 one way
$107.72 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $59.07 | $118.15 |
| premium | $4.61 | $63.94 | $127.88 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $78.27 | $156.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 105.7 | 1 | $36.99 | $16.91 |
| Efficient EV | 88.1 | 1 | $30.83 | $14.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 140.9 | 1 | $49.32 | $22.55 |
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Ripley on Sunday
Local time
2:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
86°F
Butler, AL
176 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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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