Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
131.3 mi
211 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
Photo: 大 董
Traveling from Waynesboro to West Gulfport covers 131.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 32 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $20 on fuel for the journey, keeping it a budget-friendly option for a quick getaway. The route primarily relies on MS 63, MS 57, and I-10 to bridge the gap between the interior Southeast and the Gulf Coast. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, the straightforward nature of this drive makes it an efficient transit option within Mississippi.
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
65.6 miles from Waynesboro, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 96% of this 131.3-mile route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating major thoroughfares, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 50.4 miles on MS 63. The road maintains a consistent pace, shifting from regional state highways to the broader lanes of I-10 as you approach the coastline. While the drive is functional rather than technical, the transition between these road types keeps the experience from feeling overly monotonous. Prepare for a steady, predictable pace that allows you to cover the distance efficiently without frequent interruptions.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 63 and I 10. You will hit about 10 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 131.3 miles you will encounter 10 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
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
Navigation decision point
| 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 |
| Mississippi Drive | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| US 49 | 2 mi | 3m |
| Azalea Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Waynesboro, MS and West 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
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Turn right onto Arkansas Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 2-hour and 32-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving early helps you avoid potential congestion near the Gulf Coast. Since the itinerary includes only one planned stop, use that break to refuel and stretch your legs, keeping your $20 gas budget in mind. Keep a close eye on your GPS when transitioning between MS 63 and MS 57, as these changes are critical to maintaining your estimated arrival time. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete the drive in one go without the fatigue that accompanies longer cross-state treks. Staying focused during the 50.4-mile stretch on MS 63 is key to a smooth and uneventful arrival in West Gulfport.
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 65.6 miles or 1h 17m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West 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 131.3 miles and 2h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.6 mi from Waynesboro, MS · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 65.6 miles from Waynesboro, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$20.07 one way
$40.14 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $22.02 | $44.03 |
| premium | $4.61 | $23.83 | $47.66 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.17 | $58.34 |
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: 45.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.79 | $6.30 |
| Efficient EV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.49 | $5.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.5 | 0 | $18.38 | $8.40 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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 West Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
66°F
Saucier, MS
66 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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