Blog - Bay St. Louis to Ocean Springs: The Ultimate Highway 90 Coastal Road Trip

Bay St. Louis to Ocean Springs: The Ultimate Highway 90 Coastal Road Trip

Published by Stay on the Gulf Coast Team on Aug 20, 2026

The drive from Bay St. Louis to Ocean Springs follows one of Mississippi’s most rewarding coastal routes. Highway 90 connects sandy beaches, working harbors, walkable downtowns, seafood stops, historic landmarks, and broad views of the Mississippi Sound, all within an easy day’s drive.

With a central stay from Stay on the Gulf Coast, you can explore the route without packing up every morning. This itinerary takes you east from Bay St. Louis through Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport, and Biloxi before finishing among the galleries and restaurants of Ocean Springs. If you are deciding which town deserves more time, start with this comparison of Ocean Springs and Bay St. Louis.

Planning Your Bay St. Louis to Ocean Springs Drive

The full route covers roughly 45 miles, depending on where you begin and end. Without stops, driving usually takes about an hour, but that would miss the reason to choose Highway 90 in the first place.

Set aside 8-10 hours for a relaxed Mississippi Gulf Coast itinerary. An early start gives you time for breakfast in Bay St. Louis, beach and harbor stops, lunch around Gulfport or Biloxi, and an evening in Ocean Springs.

A few practical tips will make the drive easier:

• Start early: Aim to leave Bay St. Louis by 8:00 or 9:00 a.m.
• Stay on Highway 90: The interstate is faster, but Highway 90 provides the coastal views.
• Bring sun protection: Shade can be limited along beaches, harbors, and waterfront walks.
• Pack water and towels: Even a quick beach stop can turn into an hour by the water.
• Check current hours: Museums, attractions, and local restaurants may have seasonal schedules.
• Allow extra bridge time: Traffic and weather can affect travel across the Bay St. Louis and Biloxi Bay bridges.

If you want to swim, add at least one dedicated beach break rather than trying to squeeze several into the day. Gulf Coast conditions can change, so check posted notices and follow local guidance before entering the water.

Morning: Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, and Long Beach

Begin in Old Town Bay St. Louis, where compact blocks make it easy to walk between local shops, galleries, cafes, and the waterfront. Grab breakfast or coffee, then stroll toward the harbor and beach before getting back on Highway 90.

As you leave Bay St. Louis, the highway crosses the Bay St. Louis Bridge. The elevated drive opens up wide views over the water and brings you into Pass Christian. Once across, continue east along the beachfront rather than turning inland.

Pass Christian is an ideal place for a short harbor stop. Walk near the waterfront, enjoy the breeze, and take in the boats before continuing along the coast. If you prefer a slower itinerary, this is also a good place to pick up a casual snack or spend some quiet time on the sand.

The next community is Long Beach. Its harbor and beachfront provide another easy stopping point, especially if you want a less crowded stretch of coast. Keep this visit brief if Gulfport and Biloxi are your main priorities, or stop for 30-45 minutes to walk by the water.

This first section of the drive sets the pace for the day. Distances between communities are short, so resist the urge to stop at every beach access point. Choose one or two places that fit your interests and save time for the larger attractions ahead.

Midday: Build a Gulfport Biloxi Day Trip

Gulfport is the natural midpoint of the route and one of the best places to schedule a longer stop. Jones Park, the harbor area, downtown Gulfport, and the Mississippi Aquarium are all useful anchors for planning your time.

Families may want to devote a few hours to the aquarium instead of making multiple short stops. This Mississippi Aquarium Gulfport day trip guide can help you fit the attraction into a broader coastal vacation.

For lunch, look for Gulf Coast seafood, po'boys, or another casual local option in Gulfport. Eating around midday also helps you avoid reaching Biloxi hungry, where the number of attractions can make it tempting to postpone a meal.

Gulfport works especially well as a home base because it sits between the western and eastern ends of the route. You can divide the road trip into two days, exploring Bay St. Louis and Long Beach one day, then Biloxi and Ocean Springs the next.

Located in Gulfport, Crescent Coast places you near the middle of this coastal corridor. It is a convenient option when you want to enjoy the Highway 90 experience at a more relaxed pace rather than completing everything in one day.

The Stay on the Gulf Coast portfolio includes entire homes, condos, and villas in Gulfport, Biloxi, and Long Beach. Many accommodations offer practical vacation essentials such as kitchens, dishes, bed linens, and televisions, making it easier to prepare breakfast before an early departure or relax after a full day on the road.

Afternoon: Biloxi Landmarks and Coastal Views

Continue east on Highway 90 toward Biloxi, keeping the Mississippi Sound in view for much of the drive. Biloxi deserves at least two hours, although you could easily make it the focus of an entire day.

A classic first stop is the Biloxi Lighthouse and the nearby waterfront area. From there, choose attractions based on your group’s interests. History lovers can explore Biloxi’s maritime heritage, families can plan time at an entertainment venue, and adults can visit one of the city’s casinos.

The Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum is located toward the eastern side of Biloxi, making it a logical stop before crossing into Ocean Springs. If your schedule is limited, choose either a museum visit or extended beach time rather than rushing through both.

For a longer trip, booking one of the Biloxi stays near the Biloxi Bay Bridge gives you convenient access to the eastern end of Biloxi and the crossing toward Ocean Springs. This location can also simplify an itinerary that includes Biloxi Beach, local restaurants, or nearby entertainment.

Before leaving Biloxi, pause near the eastern waterfront for views of the Biloxi Bay Bridge. The bridge crossing is another visual highlight of this Highway 90 Mississippi road trip, particularly when the sky is clear and the water is calm.

Evening: Finish in Ocean Springs

After crossing the Biloxi Bay Bridge, follow Highway 90 into Ocean Springs. The city’s downtown area sits away from the highway, so plan a short detour rather than simply driving through.

Downtown Ocean Springs is well suited to an evening walk. Browse local shops and galleries, look for public art, or visit the Walter Anderson Museum of Art if its hours align with your itinerary. The downtown streets also offer plenty of choices for dinner, from seafood and Southern cooking to casual drinks and desserts.

If daylight remains, head toward Front Beach for one last waterfront stop. It offers a quieter finish after Biloxi’s busier attractions. Watching the evening light from the beach is a fitting reward for a day spent following the coast.

Whispering Moss Haven is located in Gulf Hills, a separate community on the eastern side of the coastal itinerary. It is worth considering if you want to spend more time exploring Ocean Springs and the eastern Gulf Coast before returning west.

Create Your Ideal Mississippi Gulf Coast Itinerary

A successful Bay St. Louis to Ocean Springs road trip is not about checking off every beach and landmark. It is about choosing a few memorable stops, leaving room for an unexpected harbor walk or seafood lunch, and enjoying the changing personality of each coastal community.

For a one-day trip, prioritize Old Town Bay St. Louis, a Pass Christian or Long Beach waterfront stop, Gulfport, the Biloxi Lighthouse area, and downtown Ocean Springs. For a two-day itinerary, use Gulfport as your base and divide the route into western and eastern sections.

Ready to turn your Highway 90 drive into a complete coastal getaway? Explore Stay on the Gulf Coast properties in Gulfport, Biloxi, and Long Beach, then book a convenient home base for your Mississippi Gulf Coast adventure.