AS SEEN IN OUR STREET TRUCKS MARCH 2026 ISSUE – Buy Now!

29 Years of Epic Cruising

Have you been to Cruisin’ The Coast? If not, here’s why you need to add it to your 2026 event calendar. This is the ultimate block party for gearheads like us who live for cruising in our custom trucks along the coast. This Mississippi Gulf Coast bash kicked off back in ’96 with just 374 vehicles rolling in. Fast forward—it has exploded into America’s biggest car cruise, pulling in nearly 10,000 registered rides from 45 states and beyond in 2024. For 2025, the 29th annual event smashed pre-registration with over 8,400 entries, including 1,000 newbies joining the fun.

What started as a nod to antiques, classics, and hot rods has grown into a week-long spectacle along that sweet 30-mile beach highway. Picture this: stops in spots like Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, and Pascagoula—each has turned into mini-fests with live bands blasting nostalgic tunes, food trucks slinging grub, and prime parking. There is no strict itinerary at this event either; you pick your passion, whether it’s cruise-ins, a swap meet at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, a car corral, or the heartfelt Salute to Our Veterans. Throw in a parade, auctions, and evening hangs that make this event a pure truck-lover heaven.

So what’s the magic? It’s the people. Twelve host car clubs rally over 700 volunteers in those bright yellow shirts, handling everything from directing traffic to welcoming out-of-towners. These folks are fellow enthusiasts donating sweat to keep the event rolling smoothly. And the accolades this event has received have piled up over the years with the governor’s award and Southeast Tourism nods. Cruisin’ The Coast was even named a top event by the American Bus Association. It’s like a big family reunion on wheels, where blue-collar builders and truck owners like you and me swap stories and show off.

We teamed up with Nathan Buchanan from Sick Trucks for this coverage, grabbing insider scoops on the killer customs that he felt stole the show. Look for more collabs with him all year, which we are super excited about. So what’s new for 2025? Events like Back to Roots at Jones Park, a Long Beach Show-n-Shine, and a Buffett-themed block party in Pascagoula added to the already packed weekend. If you missed it, mark your calendar because this coast cruise is where memories, and maybe a few burnouts, are made.

So what’s the magic? It’s the people. Twelve host car clubs rally over 700 volunteers in those bright yellow shirts, handling everything from directing traffic to welcoming out-of-towners.