The drive from West Gulfport, MS to Ripley, MS covers 345.6 miles and takes about 6h 47m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, US 45, US 49 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.4 miles on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.19 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
172.8 miles from West Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 18m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 47m. Total distance: 345.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 47m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 47m highway drive covering 345.6 miles, with most of the trip on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway and US 45. The longest continuous stretch is about 88.4 miles on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 88.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway and US 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 62.9 miles in near US 98.
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 345.6 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 62.9 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.1 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
62.9 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|US 98
Take the exit onto US 98 toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
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 I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
8
152.1 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|I 59
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscaloosa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, Tuscalo...
6
161 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 45 North: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 45 North: Macon
8
226.4 mi into trip|~4h 19m in|US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupel...
6
300.8 mi into trip|~5h 49m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Gulfport, MS and Ripley, MS, road signs point toward Laurel, Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
Laurel
62.9 mi in|~1h 16m|via US 98
Tuscaloosa
152.1 mi in|~2h 53m|via I 59
Tupelo
226.4 mi in|~4h 19m|via US 45 ALT
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
88.4 mi
1h 35m
US 45
66.7 mi
1h 16m
US 49
60.1 mi
1h 12m
US Highway 45 Alternate
53 mi
1h 3m
I 22
22.1 mi
23m
Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi
20m
MS 15
11.4 mi
16m
I 59
9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
— 88.4 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Gulfport, MS and Ripley, MS.
1
Start on Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·6 sec·Arkansas Avenue
2
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
3
Turn left onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 49
2.4 mi·2 min·US 49
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
6
Merge onto US 98
2.5 mi·2 min·US 98
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 98
0.8 mi·1 min·US 98
Toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, LaurelUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 59; US 98
88 mi·1 hr 35 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59
9.0 mi·10 min·I 59
Toward I 59 North, I 20 East: Meridian, TuscaloosaUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward US 45 North: MaconUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto US 45
65 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, TupeloUse the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi·20 min·Martin Luther King Drive
14
Continue on US 45; MS 6
3.3 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
1.6 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 78:west: Memphis
17
Merge onto I 22; US 78
22 mi·23 min·I 22; US 78
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward MS 15, MS 30 East: Pontotoc, Ripley
19
Turn right onto MS 15; MS 30
8.7 mi·13 min·Mississippi Highway 15
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto MS 15
11 mi·16 min·MS 15
21
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
22
Turn left onto West Walnut Street
457 ft·20 sec·West Walnut Street
23
Arrive at destination
West Walnut Street
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 172.8 miles from West Gulfport, MS, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.4 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 76 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.8 miles or 3h 18m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ripley, 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 345.6 miles and 6h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 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 Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway for about 88.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 172.8 mi from West Gulfport, MS
· 3h 18m into the drive
The midpoint is around 172.8 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 Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.4 miles.
Arriving in Ripley, MS
The final approach into Ripley, 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 Ripley, 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.
Tupelo National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 297.9
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 309.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.19 one way
$104.39 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$57.30
$114.59
premium
$4.56
$62.03
$124.06
diesel
$5.61
$76.30
$152.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.7
1
$36.29
$16.59
Efficient EV
86.4
0
$30.24
$13.82
EV Truck/SUV
138.2
1
$48.38
$22.12
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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 17, 2026
Origin
West Gulfport, MS
Afternoon
in West Gulfport on Friday
Local time
1:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ripley, MS
Afternoon
in Ripley on Friday
Local time
1:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Meridian, MS
173 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
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 47m 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 Ripley, MS covers 345.6 miles and takes about 6h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway, US 45, US 49. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 172.8 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 $52.19 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 17 significant decision points across 345.6 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 62.9 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.1 miles (I 59): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between West Gulfport, MS and Ripley, MS, road signs point toward Laurel, Tuscaloosa and Tupelo.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Tupelo National Battlefield and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail.
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.
