Want to avoid Cruisin’ The Coast traffic jams and all the orange cones? Here’s what to do

Mary Perez
·3 min read

“The chemistry of Highway 90 and the beaches,” will draw 10,000 antique and classic car owners and their fans to South Mississippi this week, said Woody Bailey, Cruisin’ The Coast executive director.

This is one of the few places in the country where it’s possible to see the beach and the water as you drive. Add friendly people, free samples of fresh seafood, lots of music and events in all three Coast counties and 12 cities, and it’s the busiest week of the year on the Coast.

The nine-day event runs from Oct. 6-13, and the roads along the beaches will be crowded with both antique and muscle cars and spectators driving to find the best place to see the classic rides.

Similar to communities that host to NASCAR races or week-long music or sporting events, the $36 million local economic impact of Cruisin’ The Coast is important to the South Mississippi economy. Local residents complain about the congestion but learn how to avoid the heaviest traffic by detouring and changing their route or the times they drive.

Cruisers arrive at Cruise Central at Centennial Plaza in Gulfport in 2023. The heaviest traffic during Cruisin’ The Coast is at Cruise Central Monday and Tuesday during registration and on the Biloxi beach Wednesday morning and Friday and Saturday nights..
Cruisers arrive at Cruise Central at Centennial Plaza in Gulfport in 2023. The heaviest traffic during Cruisin’ The Coast is at Cruise Central Monday and Tuesday during registration and on the Biloxi beach Wednesday morning and Friday and Saturday nights..

Traffic tips

Here are some ways to avoid traffic backups this week:

▪ The heaviest Cruisin’ traffic is along the Biloxi beach, from Interstate 110 near the Biloxi Lighthouse to Edgewater Mall near the Biloxi-Gulfport line.

▪ Traffic also backs up at Cruise Central at Centennial Plaza on U.S. 90 in Gulfport on Monday and Tuesday, when cruisers register. Early registration ended in mid-August and opens at 11 a.m. Monday. Registration is from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday.

▪ The heaviest traffic days are Friday and Saturday. Biloxi will be setting up orange cones those days from I-110 to DeBuys Road. The traffic plan will be activated Friday and Saturday if needed, limiting traffic to the right or outside lanes on Beach Boulevard and reserving the left or center lanes for emergency vehicles only.

▪ For real time traffic advisories, text BILOXI to 99411

A plastic pirate skeleton sits is in the driver’s seat of a classic car at the Biloxi Block Party, one of many Cruisin’ the Coast events. Follow traffic tips to avoid the busiest areas and times.
A plastic pirate skeleton sits is in the driver’s seat of a classic car at the Biloxi Block Party, one of many Cruisin’ the Coast events. Follow traffic tips to avoid the busiest areas and times.

▪ Expect heavier traffic around the Cruisin’ sites each day. Check the daily schedule to see the Cruisin’ sites where streets will be closed. Site locations and maps are available on the Cruisin’ website.

▪ Go early. Traffic generally is light in the morning before 9-10 a.m. and you’ll get to admire the cruisers sharing the road.

▪ Arrive early. The best parking and display spaces for cruisers fill up fast. For Wednesday’s Cruisin’ The Coast Block Party in Downtown Biloxi, cruisers arrive as early as 6 a.m. Those who come late to the party may have trouble finding a place to park.

The combination of warm weather, the beach and thousands of antique and classic cars makes Beach Boulevard a popular place during Cruisin’ the Coast.
The combination of warm weather, the beach and thousands of antique and classic cars makes Beach Boulevard a popular place during Cruisin’ the Coast.

▪ Only cruisers can park at the venues. Spectators will park off site and walk to admire the cars and trucks, chat with their owners and listen to the bands. Volunteers direct traffic at the venues.

▪ If you’re not going Cruisin’, stay off U.S. 90 this week. Shop early. Take Pass Road or if you are a local who knows the back roads, use them to avoid most of the traffic.

Spectators walk among classic cars in downtown during Biloxi Block Party during 2023 Cruising’ the Coast. The mix of sun, sand and cream puff cars creates Mississippi’s largest event.
Spectators walk among classic cars in downtown during Biloxi Block Party during 2023 Cruising’ the Coast. The mix of sun, sand and cream puff cars creates Mississippi’s largest event.

▪ If you are driving Beach Boulevard, slow down this week and admire the cars and the beach. It’s one of the few places in the country where you’ll see so many rare, fun and exotic cars and trucks in one place.

Vintage and muscle cars are lined up outside Cruise Central at Centennial Plaza in Gulfport for Cruisin’ the Coast 2023. Plan ahead and avoid certain areas to get around the traffic this week.
Vintage and muscle cars are lined up outside Cruise Central at Centennial Plaza in Gulfport for Cruisin’ the Coast 2023. Plan ahead and avoid certain areas to get around the traffic this week.