Drive Time
4h 46m
Distance
248.2 mi
399 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
Photo: Vladislav Anchuk
The drive from West Gulfport, MS to Columbus, MS covers 248.2 miles and takes about 4h 46m 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 $37.94 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
124.1 miles from West Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
This is a 4h 46m highway drive covering 248.2 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.
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.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 248.2 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: 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
Take the exit toward US 45 North: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 North: Columbus, Aberdeen
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 82 East, US 45 North, MS 12 East: Columbus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between West Gulfport, MS and Columbus, MS, road signs point toward Laurel, Tuscaloosa and Aberdeen.
Laurel
Tuscaloosa
Aberdeen
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway | 88.4 mi | 1h 35m |
| US 45 | 82.8 mi | 1h 35m |
| US 49 | 60.1 mi | 1h 12m |
| I 59 | 9 mi | 10m |
| US 98 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Plymouth Bluff Access Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between West Gulfport, MS and Columbus, MS.
Start on Arkansas Avenue
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Turn left onto US 49
Continue on US 49
Take the exit
Merge onto US 98
Take the exit onto US 98
Merge onto I 59; US 98
Keep slight right at fork onto I 59
Take the exit
Merge onto US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Continue on US 45
Continue on Plymouth Bluff Access Road
Take the exit
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto MS 69
Enter roundabout onto MS 69; MS 182
Continue on MS 69; MS 182
Turn left onto North 6th 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.1 miles or 2h 23m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, 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 248.2 miles and 4h 46m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.1 mi from West Gulfport, MS · 2h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 124.1 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 Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.4 miles.
The final approach into Columbus, 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 Columbus, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$37.94 one way
$75.89 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $41.62 | $83.23 |
| premium | $4.61 | $45.05 | $90.09 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.14 | $110.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.5 | 0 | $26.06 | $11.91 |
| Efficient EV | 62.1 | 0 | $21.72 | $9.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.3 | 1 | $34.75 | $15.88 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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
3:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Columbus on Sunday
Local time
3:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
124 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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