Drive Time
2h 36m
Distance
133.8 mi
215 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
Photo: Kei Scampa
Traveling from Waynesboro to Gulfport covers a 133.8-mile stretch across Southeast Mississippi, making for a straightforward journey that takes about 2 hours and 36 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this trip is perfectly suited as a one-day excursion, allowing you to reach the coast without needing an overnight stay. You should plan on a fuel budget of approximately $20 to complete the trip. Navigating the route involves a combination of MS 63, MS 57, and I-10. It is a practical, highway-focused drive that effectively links the inland region to the Gulf Coast, providing a reliable path for travelers looking to move efficiently between these two points.
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
66.9 miles from Waynesboro, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 96% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on expansive stretches of road, including a 50.4-mile segment on MS 63, which serves as your longest uninterrupted stretch behind the wheel. The journey shifts from the quieter corridors of MS 63 and MS 57 before merging into the more heavily trafficked I-10 as you approach the coast. This is not a technical or winding path, but rather a consistent, steady drive designed for efficiency. You will find that the personality of the road remains fairly uniform, prioritizing speed and directness over scenic detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 63 and I 10. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near MS 145 / Mississippi Drive.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 133.8 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.3 miles (MS 145 / Mississippi Drive): Navigation decision point; at 4.6 miles (US 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles (MS 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto MS 145 / Mississippi Drive
Navigation decision point
Merge onto US 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 57
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 49 South: Gulfport, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto US 49
Merge point - match speed before joining
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MS 63 | 50.4 mi | 57m |
| I 10 | 34.5 mi | 37m |
| MS 57 | 24.7 mi | 28m |
| US 45 | 14.3 mi | 16m |
| US 49 | 4.6 mi | 8m |
| Mississippi Drive | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Azalea Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 25th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Waynesboro, MS and Gulfport, MS.
Start on MS 184
Turn right onto MS 145
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 57
Continue on MS 57
Continue on MS 63
Take the exit
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Merge onto US 49
Turn straight onto US 49
Continue on US 49
Arrive at destination
Since the total drive time is under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility when it comes to your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure your time on I-10 remains smooth and free of congestion. While the route is short enough to drive in one go, building in at least one planned stop will help you stay refreshed before arriving in Gulfport. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when transitioning between the secondary state highways and the interstate to ensure you aren't caught off guard. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation tools active when transitioning from MS 57 onto I-10, as the change in road scale can be abrupt.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.9 miles or 1h 19m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulfport, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Waynesboro, 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 Waynesboro, MS
This is one driving day of about 133.8 miles and 2h 36m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.9 mi from Waynesboro, MS · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 66.9 miles from Waynesboro, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$20.45 one way
$40.91 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $22.44 | $44.87 |
| premium | $4.61 | $24.28 | $48.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.73 | $59.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.1 | 0 | $14.05 | $6.42 |
| Efficient EV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.71 | $5.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.5 | 0 | $18.73 | $8.56 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Waynesboro on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
69°F
Biloxi, MS
67 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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