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Trip from West Gulfport, MS to Clarksdale, MS

Drive Time

6h 35m

Distance

311.3 mi

501 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 24m ★
6 AM
6h 36m
8 AM
7h 0m
10 AM
6h 44m
12 PM
6h 42m
3 PM
6h 45m
5 PM
6h 59m
8 PM
6h 28m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown West Gulfport, MS, MS

West Gulfport, MS

大 董

Downtown Clarksdale, MS, MS

Clarksdale, MS

Martin Ferreira

Trip Overview

The drive from West Gulfport, MS to Clarksdale, MS covers 311.3 miles and takes about 6h 35m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 49, US 49W, South Highway 61 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 158.4 miles on US 49. At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.59 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

155.7 miles from West Gulfport, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 35m highway drive covering 311.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 49 and US 49W. The longest continuous stretch is about 158.4 miles on US 49.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 49 is the longest continuous segment at about 158.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and US 49W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 311.3 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: near the start (Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 151.3 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 154.6 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

Navigation decision point

5
151.3 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in | US 49

Keep slight left at fork onto US 49 toward Jackson

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward Jackson
6
154.6 mi into trip | ~3h 12m in | I 20; US 49

Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49 toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo...
5
157.4 mi into trip | ~3h 15m in | US 49

Take the exit onto US 49 toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson, Yazoo City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson,...
5
202.4 mi into trip | ~4h 10m in | US 49W

Take the exit onto US 49W toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vicksburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vic...

Towns Along This Route

Between West Gulfport, MS and Clarksdale, MS, road signs point toward Jackson, Yazoo City and Vicksburg.

Jackson

151.3 mi in | ~3h 7m | via US 49

Yazoo City

154.6 mi in | ~3h 12m | via I 20; US 49

Vicksburg

202.4 mi in | ~4h 10m | via US 49W

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 49 158.4 mi 3h 16m
US 49W 46.7 mi 56m
South Highway 61 43.9 mi 54m
Medgar Evers Boulevard 39.5 mi 48m
North Sunflower Avenue 13.5 mi 23m
I 20 4.3 mi 5m
MS 161 2.1 mi 3m
MS 448 1.1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 49 — 158.4 mi, about 3h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Gulfport, MS and Clarksdale, MS.

1

Start on Arkansas Avenue

30 ft · 6 sec · Arkansas Avenue
2

Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

423 ft · 14 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
3

Turn left

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min
4

Continue straight

2.4 mi · 2 min
5

Turn straight

10 mi · 16 min
6

Continue straight

5.4 mi · 6 min
7

Continue straight

5.3 mi · 6 min
8

Continue straight

0.2 mi · 14 sec
9

Continue straight

4.2 mi · 4 min
10

Continue straight

66 mi · 1 hr 20 min
11

Take the exit slight right

0.2 mi · 21 sec
12

Keep slight left to continue on Jackson

0.7 mi · 1 min · Jackson
13

Keep slight left

1.0 mi · 1 min
14

Merge slight right

1.6 mi · 2 min
15

Keep slight right to continue on I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City

2.7 mi · 3 min · I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
16

Take the exit slight right toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson, Yazoo City

5.2 mi · 6 min · I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson, Yazoo City
17

Take the exit slight right toward US 49 North: Yazoo City

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 49 North: Yazoo City
18

Merge slight left onto Medgar Evers Boulevard

39 mi · 48 min · Medgar Evers Boulevard
19

Take the exit slight right toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vicksburg

47 mi · 56 min · US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vicksburg
20

Turn left

0.7 mi · 1 min
21

Turn right onto North Sunflower Avenue

13 mi · 23 min · North Sunflower Avenue
22

Turn left

1.1 mi · 2 min
23

Turn right onto South Highway 61

44 mi · 54 min · South Highway 61
24

Turn left

2.1 mi · 3 min
25

Turn left onto Madison Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Madison Avenue
26

Turn right onto 4th Street

0.3 mi · 55 sec · 4th Street
27

Turn left onto Issaquena Avenue

436 ft · 21 sec · Issaquena Avenue
28

Turn right onto Edwards Alley

157 ft · 12 sec · Edwards Alley
29

Arrive at your destination

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 155.7 miles from West Gulfport, MS, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.4 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 155.7 miles or 3h 13m 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 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarksdale, MS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving West Gulfport, 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 West Gulfport, MS

This is one driving day of about 311.3 miles and 6h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from West Gulfport, 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 US 49 for about 158.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 155.7 mi from West Gulfport, MS · 3h 13m into the drive

Downtown Magee, MS, MS

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Magee, MS

156 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Magee, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Magee, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 155.7 miles from West Gulfport, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 158.4 miles.

Arriving in Clarksdale, MS

The final approach into Clarksdale, 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 Clarksdale, MS.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 161
View on nps.gov
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument

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...

20 mi from route ~49 min detour Free near mile 311.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.59 one way

$95.18 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $52.20 $104.40
premium $4.61 $56.50 $113.00
diesel $5.64 $69.16 $138.32

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 93.4 1 $32.69 $14.94
Efficient EV 77.8 0 $27.24 $12.45
EV Truck/SUV 124.5 1 $43.58 $19.92

Gas CO2

109 kg

EV CO2

36 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 data refreshed 2 hours ago

Origin

West Gulfport, MS

Late night in West Gulfport on Monday

Local time

4:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Mostly Cloudy

SE 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Clarksdale, MS

Late night in Clarksdale on Monday

Local time

4:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

68°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

3 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 35m 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 West Gulfport, MS to Clarksdale, MS covers 311.3 miles and takes about 6h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 49, US 49W, South Highway 61. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 155.7 miles from West Gulfport, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.59 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 19 significant decision points across 311.3 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: near the start (Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 151.3 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 154.6 miles (I 20; US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between West Gulfport, MS and Clarksdale, MS, road signs point toward Jackson, Yazoo City and Vicksburg.

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