Drive Time
4h 8m
Distance
216.1 mi
348 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
Photo: 大 董
The drive from West Gulfport, MS to Carthage, MS covers 216.1 miles and takes about 4h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway, West Florida Republic Parkway, I 10 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56.4 miles on Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.04 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
108.1 miles from West Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
This is a 4h 8m highway drive covering 216.1 miles, with most of the trip on Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway and West Florida Republic Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 56.4 miles on Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway and West Florida Republic Parkway. 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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 216.1 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 2.4 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles (I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway toward I 12, I 59: Hammond, Baton Rouge, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Continue onto I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway toward I 12: Hammond, Baton Rouge
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 55: Jackson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Between West Gulfport, MS and Carthage, MS, road signs point toward Baton Rouge and Hattiesburg.
Baton Rouge
Hattiesburg
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway | 56.4 mi | 1h |
| West Florida Republic Parkway | 47.8 mi | 51m |
| I 10 | 39.8 mi | 42m |
| US 84 | 34.7 mi | 40m |
| US 98 | 30.1 mi | 34m |
| Carthage Point Road | 2.3 mi | 8m |
| US 49 | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Highland Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between West Gulfport, MS and Carthage, MS.
Start on Arkansas Avenue
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Turn left onto US 49
Take the exit
Merge onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 12
Continue on I 12
Take the exit
Merge onto I 55
Take the exit onto US 98
At end of road, turn left onto US 98; MS 184
Take the exit
Merge onto US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
Turn right onto Highland Boulevard
Turn left onto Lower Woodville Road
Continue on Carthage Point Road
Turn slight right
Arrive at destination
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.
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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.1 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carthage, MS than in the middle of the route.
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 216.1 miles and 4h 8m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108.1 mi from West Gulfport, MS · 1h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 108.1 miles from West Gulfport, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Carthage, 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 Carthage, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$33.04 one way
$66.07 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $36.24 | $72.47 |
| premium | $4.61 | $39.22 | $78.44 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $48.01 | $96.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.69 | $10.37 |
| Efficient EV | 54 | 0 | $18.91 | $8.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.4 | 1 | $30.25 | $13.83 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in West Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
3:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Carthage on Sunday
Local time
3:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
88°F
Central, LA
108 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from West Gulfport, MS or browse trips ending in Carthage, MS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.
Explore maps for West Gulfport, MS or Carthage, MS on MapSof.net.
