The drive from Ripley, MS to West Gulfport, MS covers 344.6 miles and takes about 6h 46m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 59, US Highway 45 Aiternate, US 49 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.7 miles on I 59.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.04 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
172.3 miles from Ripley, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 28m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 46m. Total distance: 344.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 46m highway drive covering 344.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 59 and US Highway 45 Aiternate. The longest continuous stretch is about 88.7 miles on I 59.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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 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.
Driving Effort9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 344.6 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
20.7 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the ramp toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Tupelo
8
192.3 mi into trip|~3h 52m 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
281 mi into trip|~5h 28m 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
284.2 mi into trip|~5h 32m 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
284.5 mi into trip|~5h 33m 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 Ripley, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans, Mobile, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
New Orleans
192.3 mi in|~3h 52m|via I 59
Mobile
281 mi in|~5h 28m|via US 98
Gulfport
284.2 mi in|~5h 32m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
284.2 mi in|~5h 32m
Multi Purpose Center
284.5 mi in|~5h 33m
Hattiesburg
284.5 mi in|~5h 33m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 59
88.7 mi
1h 36m
US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi
1h 9m
US 49
59.9 mi
1h 12m
US Highway 45 Alternate
54.7 mi
1h 6m
I 22
21.8 mi
23m
City Avenue South
20.2 mi
30m
US 45
18 mi
21m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 59
— 88.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ripley, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on West Walnut Street
457 ft·22 sec·West Walnut Street
2
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
3
Turn right onto MS 15
20 mi·30 min·City Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: TupeloUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 22; US 78
22 mi·23 min·I 22; US 78
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward US 45:south: Tupelo
7
Merge onto US 45
14 mi·17 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
9
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
10
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
11
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
12
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
13
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
17
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
89 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New OrleansUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
25
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
26
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 172.3 miles from Ripley, MS, or about 3h 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 76 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.3 miles or 3h 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 5h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 344.6 miles and 6h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Ripley, 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 172.3 mi from Ripley, MS
· 3h 28m into the drive
The midpoint is around 172.3 miles from Ripley, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.7 miles.
Arriving in West Gulfport, MS
The final approach into West 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 West Gulfport, 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.
Tupelo National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 35.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.04 one way
$104.09 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$57.13
$114.26
premium
$4.56
$61.85
$123.70
diesel
$5.61
$76.08
$152.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.4
1
$36.18
$16.54
Efficient EV
86.2
0
$30.15
$13.78
EV Truck/SUV
137.8
1
$48.24
$22.05
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ripley, MS
Afternoon
in Ripley on Friday
Local time
12:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Afternoon
in West Gulfport on Friday
Local time
12:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Meridian, MS
172 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
12 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
6h 46m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ripley, MS to West Gulfport, MS covers 344.6 miles and takes about 6h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 59, US Highway 45 Aiternate, US 49. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 172.3 miles from Ripley, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.04 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 344.6 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 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.
Between Ripley, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward New Orleans, Mobile, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Multi Purpose Center and Hattiesburg.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Tupelo National Battlefield and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
