The drive from West Gulfport, MS to Sunflower, MS covers 257.7 miles and takes about 5h 21m 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, Medgar Evers Boulevard 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 $38.92 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
128.8 miles from West Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 21m. Total distance: 257.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 21m highway drive covering 257.7 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 22 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.
Driving Effort9/10
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 13 significant decision points across 257.7 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 13 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 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 Sunflower, 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
54.8 mi
1h 8m
Medgar Evers Boulevard
39.5 mi
48m
I 20
4.3 mi
5m
South Martin Luther King Jr Avenue
0.3 mi
1m
Martin L King Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Arkansas Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
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 Sunflower, 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
Turn straight onto US 49
10 mi·16 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 49; MS 42
5.4 mi·6 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 49
5.3 mi·6 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 49
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 49
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 49
4.2 mi·4 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 49
66 mi·1 hr 20 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 49
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 49
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Jackson
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
1.0 mi·1 min·US 49
14
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.6 mi·2 min·I 20; I 55; US 49
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
2.7 mi·3 min·I 20; US 49
Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
16
Take the exit onto US 49
5.2 mi·6 min·US 49
Toward I 220 North, I 49 North: North Jackson, Yazoo City
17
Take the exit onto US 49
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 49
Toward US 49 North: Yazoo City
18
Merge onto US 49
39 mi·48 min·Medgar Evers Boulevard
19
Take the exit onto US 49W
55 mi·1 hr 8 min·US 49W
Toward US 49W North, MS 3 South: Indianola, Vicksburg
20
Turn left onto South Martin Luther King Jr Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·South Martin Luther King Jr Avenue
21
Continue on Martin L King Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Martin L King Street
22
Arrive at destination
North Martin Luther King Jr Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 128.8 miles from West Gulfport, MS, or about 2h 39m 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 57 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.8 miles or 2h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sunflower, 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 257.7 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 128.8 mi from West Gulfport, MS
· 2h 39m into the drive
The midpoint is around 128.8 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 US 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 158.4 miles.
Arriving in Sunflower, MS
The final approach into Sunflower, 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 Sunflower, 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
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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 159.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.92 one way
$77.84 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$42.72
$85.45
premium
$4.56
$46.25
$92.51
diesel
$5.61
$56.90
$113.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.3
0
$27.06
$12.37
Efficient EV
64.4
0
$22.55
$10.31
EV Truck/SUV
103.1
1
$36.08
$16.49
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
West Gulfport, MS
Afternoon
in West Gulfport on Thursday
Local time
3:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sunflower, MS
Afternoon
in Sunflower on Thursday
Local time
3:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°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
20 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
5h 21m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Sunflower, MS covers 257.7 miles and takes about 5h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 49, US 49W, Medgar Evers Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 128.8 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 $38.92 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 13 significant decision points across 257.7 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 Sunflower, MS, road signs point toward Jackson, Yazoo City and Vicksburg.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument.
