The drive from Shelby, MS to West Gulfport, MS covers 291.6 miles and takes about 6h 7m 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, North Martin Luther King Drive 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 $44.04 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
145.8 miles from Shelby, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 9m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 7m. Total distance: 291.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 7m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 7m highway drive covering 291.6 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 31 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 0.3 miles in near Martin L King Jr Boulevard.
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 24 significant decision points across 291.6 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 0.3 miles (Martin L King Jr Boulevard): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 219.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228 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 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|Martin L King Jr Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto Martin L King Jr Boulevard
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
219.9 mi into trip|~4h 40m 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
228 mi into trip|~4h 49m 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
231.2 mi into trip|~4h 53m 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
231.5 mi into trip|~4h 54m 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 Shelby, MS and West Gulfport, MS, road signs point toward Meridian, Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mobile - among others.
Meridian
136.7 mi in|~2h 58m|via I 20; US 49
Hattiesburg
136.7 mi in|~2h 58m|via I 20; US 49
Richland
137.4 mi in|~2h 58m|via US 49
Gulf Coast
219.9 mi in|~4h 40m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
220.2 mi in|~4h 40m|via I 59
Mobile
228 mi in|~4h 49m|via US 98
Gulfport
231.2 mi in|~4h 53m
Multi Purpose Center
231.5 mi in|~4h 54m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
71.4 mi
1h 27m
North Martin Luther King Drive
46.2 mi
55m
Jerry Clower Boulevard
38.8 mi
47m
US 61
25.3 mi
33m
MS 448
13.5 mi
23m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Highway 49 South
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shelby, MS and West Gulfport, MS.
1
Start on MS 161
32 ft·2 sec·South Broadway Street
2
Turn right onto East 2nd Avenue
0.3 mi·35 sec·East 2nd Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto Martin L King Jr Boulevard
485 ft·9 sec·Martin L King Jr Boulevard
4
Continue on East School Avenue
0.3 mi·26 sec·East School Avenue
5
Continue on Parchman Road
0.1 mi·16 sec·Parchman Road
6
Turn right onto US 61; US 278
25 mi·33 min·US 61; US 278
7
Turn left onto MS 448
1.1 mi·2 min·East Peeler Avenue
8
Turn right onto MS 448
13 mi·23 min·MS 448
9
Turn left onto US 82
0.7 mi·1 min·US 82
10
Turn right onto US 49W
46 mi·55 min·North Martin Luther King Drive
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W
0.5 mi·53 sec·US 49W
Toward US 49 South: Jackson
12
Merge onto US 49
39 mi·47 min·Jerry Clower Boulevard
13
Take the exit onto US 49
4.9 mi·5 min·US 49
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
3.8 mi·5 min·US 49
15
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.1 mi·1 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
347 ft·4 sec·I 20; US 49
Toward Meridian, Hattiesburg
17
Take the exit onto US 49
0.6 mi·42 sec·US 49
Toward Hattiesburg
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
19
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
24
Take the exit onto US 98
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Turn right onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn straight onto US 49
2.0 mi·3 min·US 49
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
29
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
30
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·0 sec·Arkansas Avenue
31
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 145.8 miles from Shelby, MS, or about 3h 9m 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 64 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.8 miles or 3h 9m 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 3m
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 Shelby, 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 Shelby, MS
This is one driving day of about 291.6 miles and 6h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Shelby, 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 145.8 mi from Shelby, MS
· 3h 9m into the drive
The midpoint is around 145.8 miles from Shelby, 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 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 130.7
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 10.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.04 one way
$88.08 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$48.34
$96.69
premium
$4.56
$52.34
$104.68
diesel
$5.61
$64.38
$128.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.5
1
$30.62
$14.00
Efficient EV
72.9
0
$25.52
$11.66
EV Truck/SUV
116.6
1
$40.82
$18.66
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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
Shelby, MS
Afternoon
in Shelby on Friday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Gulfport, MS
Afternoon
in West Gulfport on Friday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Florence, MS
146 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
8 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 7m 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 Shelby, MS to West Gulfport, MS covers 291.6 miles and takes about 6h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 49 South, US 49, North Martin Luther King Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 145.8 miles from Shelby, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.04 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 24 significant decision points across 291.6 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 0.3 miles (Martin L King Jr Boulevard): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 219.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Shelby, MS and West 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.
