Ruleville, MS to Gulfport, MS is 274.6 miles and takes about 5h 42m via Highway 49 South, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traversing the Southeast region from a starting point in the Delta to the Gulf Coast. Expect a mixed drive experience, making it a manageable one-day journey for most travelers. The relatively short duration and straightforward path suggest it's a practical option for a quick trip or a leg of a longer adventure.
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
137.3 miles from Ruleville, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 42m. Total distance: 274.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route offers a mixed drive, with 58% of it on highways. You'll experience stretches on Highway 49 South, including one uninterrupted segment of 80.3 miles, which provides a good opportunity to make steady progress. The drive transitions from more rural settings to eventually reaching the coast. While not exclusively highway, the significant portion on main roads like US 49 and South Oak Avenue means you'll encounter a blend of faster travel and potentially more localized traffic as you approach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
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 route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 117.2 miles in near I 20; 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 17 significant decision points across 274.6 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 117.2 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208.5 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 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
117.2 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|I 20; US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49 toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
7
200.3 mi into trip|~4h 11m 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
208.5 mi into trip|~4h 20m 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
211.6 mi into trip|~4h 24m 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
211.9 mi into trip|~4h 25m 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 Ruleville, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Meridian, Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mobile - among others.
Meridian
117.2 mi in|~2h 29m|via I 20; US 49
Hattiesburg
117.2 mi in|~2h 29m|via I 20; US 49
Richland
117.8 mi in|~2h 29m|via US 49
Gulf Coast
200.3 mi in|~4h 11m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
200.7 mi in|~4h 11m|via I 59
Mobile
208.5 mi in|~4h 20m|via US 98
Multi Purpose Center
211.9 mi in|~4h 25m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
73.9 mi
1h 32m
South Oak Avenue
67.8 mi
1h 27m
Jerry Clower Boulevard
38.8 mi
47m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
I 20
1.2 mi
1m
US 49W
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ruleville, MS and Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on West Floyce Street
0.3 mi·32 sec·West Floyce Street
2
Turn right onto US 49W
68 mi·1 hr 27 min·South Oak Avenue
3
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W
0.5 mi·53 sec·US 49W
Toward US 49 South: Jackson
4
Merge onto US 49
39 mi·47 min·Jerry Clower Boulevard
5
Take the exit onto US 49
4.9 mi·5 min·US 49
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
3.8 mi·5 min·US 49
7
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.1 mi·1 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
347 ft·4 sec·I 20; US 49
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
9
Take the exit onto US 49
0.6 mi·42 sec·US 49
Toward 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
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn straight onto US 49
4.5 mi·7 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 49
215 ft·16 sec·25th Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
US 49
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 42m estimated duration, starting your drive from Ruleville in the morning allows ample time to reach Gulfport before evening. With only one recommended stop and a maximum stretch of 80.3 miles between them, you can comfortably manage your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway segments, as the estimated fuel cost is $41. The mixed nature of the drive means you might encounter varying speed limits, so staying aware of posted signs is key as you transition between highway and local road sections.
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 137.3 miles from Ruleville, MS, or about 2h 54m 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 60 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.3 miles or 2h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ruleville, 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 Ruleville, MS
This is one driving day of about 274.6 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Ruleville, 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 137.3 mi from Ruleville, MS
· 2h 54m into the drive
The midpoint is around 137.3 miles from Ruleville, 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 Gulfport, MS
The final approach into 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 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 113.6
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
National Monument
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.47 one way
$82.94 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$45.53
$91.05
premium
$4.56
$49.29
$98.57
diesel
$5.61
$60.63
$121.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.4
1
$28.83
$13.18
Efficient EV
68.7
0
$24.03
$10.98
EV Truck/SUV
109.8
1
$38.44
$17.57
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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
Ruleville, MS
Afternoon
in Ruleville on Friday
Local time
2:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gulfport, MS
Afternoon
in Gulfport on Friday
Local time
2:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
4 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
5h 42m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ruleville, MS to Gulfport, MS covers 274.6 miles and takes about 5h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 49 South, US 49, South Oak Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137.3 miles from Ruleville, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.47 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. 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 274.6 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 117.2 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208.5 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ruleville, MS and Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Meridian, Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mobile - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument.
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.
