Drive Time
5h 51m
Distance
296.9 mi
478 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
The drive from West Gulfport, MS to Charleston, MS covers 296.9 miles and takes about 5h 51m 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 32 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 $45.39 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
148.4 miles from West Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .
This is a 5h 51m highway drive covering 296.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 49 and I 55. The longest continuous stretch is about 152.8 miles on US 49.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and I 55. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 296.9 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 151.3 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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
Turn left onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49 toward Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward Oakland, Water Valley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn sharp left onto MS 32; MS 32 Scenic
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
On the drive from West Gulfport, MS to Charleston, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Jackson
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 49 | 152.8 mi | 3h 9m |
| I 55 | 131.7 mi | 2h 23m |
| MS 32 | 12 mi | 17m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Panola Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Arkansas Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between West Gulfport, MS and Charleston, MS.
Start on Arkansas Avenue
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Turn left onto US 49
Continue on US 49
Turn straight onto US 49
Continue on US 49; MS 42
Continue on US 49
Continue on US 49
Continue on US 49
Continue on US 49
Take the exit onto US 49
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Merge onto I 55
Take the exit
Turn sharp left onto MS 32; MS 32 Scenic
Continue on MS 32
Turn right onto South Panola Street
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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.4 miles or 3h 3m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleston, 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 296.9 miles and 5h 51m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 148.4 mi from West Gulfport, MS · 3h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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 148.4 miles from West Gulfport, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152.8 miles.
The final approach into Charleston, 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 Charleston, 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.
Regular Gas
$45.39 one way
$90.78 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $49.78 | $99.57 |
| premium | $4.61 | $53.89 | $107.77 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $65.96 | $131.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.1 | 1 | $31.17 | $14.25 |
| Efficient EV | 74.2 | 0 | $25.98 | $11.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.8 | 1 | $41.57 | $19.00 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in West Gulfport on Sunday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Charleston on Sunday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
148 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.
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