The drive from West Gulfport, MS to University, MS covers 314.2 miles and takes about 6h 11m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 49, I 55, MS 7 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 152.8 miles on US 49.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.45 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
157.1 miles from West Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 14m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 11m. Total distance: 314.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 11m highway drive covering 314.2 miles, with most of the trip on US 49 and I 55. The longest continuous stretch is about 152.8 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 23 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 152.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and I 55. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 314.2 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 305.8 miles (MS 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
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
5
305.8 mi into trip|~5h 58m in|MS 7
Enter roundabout onto MS 7 toward MS 7 North: Oxford
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward MS 7 North: Oxford
5
312.6 mi into trip|~6h 7m in
Take the exit toward MS 314, MS 334
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 314, MS 334
6
312.8 mi into trip|~6h 8m in|MS 314 / University Avenue
Enter roundabout onto MS 314 / University Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from West Gulfport, MS to University, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Jackson
151.3 mi in|~3h 7m|via US 49
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49
152.8 mi
3h 9m
I 55
116.5 mi
2h 6m
MS 7
43.2 mi
50m
University Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
South 5th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Tyler Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Arkansas Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 49
— 152.8 mi, about 3h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Gulfport, MS and University, 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 right at fork onto US 49
0.9 mi·1 min·US 49
14
Merge onto I 55
117 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 55
15
Take the exit onto MS 7
36 mi·41 min·MS 7
Toward MS 7 North: Coffeeville
16
Enter roundabout onto MS 7
171 ft·2 sec·MS 7
Toward MS 7 North: Oxford
17
Continue on MS 7
6.8 mi·9 min·MS 7
Toward MS 7 North: Oxford
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward MS 314, MS 334
19
Enter roundabout onto MS 314
0.2 mi·21 sec·University Avenue
20
Continue on MS 314
1.1 mi·3 min·University Avenue
21
Turn right onto South 5th Street
466 ft·21 sec·South 5th Street
22
Turn right onto Tyler Avenue
51 ft·2 sec·Tyler Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Tyler Avenue
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 157.1 miles from West Gulfport, MS, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.8 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 69 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.1 miles or 3h 14m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near University, 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 314.2 miles and 6h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 152.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 157.1 mi from West Gulfport, MS
· 3h 14m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 151.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.45 one way
$94.90 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$52.09
$104.18
premium
$4.56
$56.40
$112.79
diesel
$5.61
$69.37
$138.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.3
1
$32.99
$15.08
Efficient EV
78.6
0
$27.49
$12.57
EV Truck/SUV
125.7
1
$43.99
$20.11
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
West Gulfport, MS
Night
in West Gulfport on Thursday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
University, MS
Night
in University on Thursday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Florence, MS
157 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
18 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 11m 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 University, MS covers 314.2 miles and takes about 6h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 49, I 55, MS 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 157.1 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 $47.45 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 13 significant decision points across 314.2 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 305.8 miles (MS 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
On the drive from West Gulfport, MS to University, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument.
