Traveling from Carthage to Horn Lake covers 316.4 miles across Mississippi, making for a straightforward journey that takes approximately 5 hours and 59 minutes. Since this is a highway-focused drive, you can easily complete the trip in a single day, though you should budget about $48 for fuel to make the trek. You will primarily navigate via I-55, US 84, and Seargent Prentiss Drive to reach your destination. Because the route stays entirely within the Southeast region of Mississippi, the transition between the two cities is relatively seamless. It is a practical, efficient path if you need to get from central to northern Mississippi without taking complex detours.
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
158.2 miles from Carthage, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
249.5 mi
4h 29m
US 84
53.2 mi
1h 1m
Seargent Prentiss Drive
6.4 mi
7m
Carthage Point Road
2.3 mi
8m
Goodman Road West
2.1 mi
3m
Highland Boulevard
1 mi
2m
Lower Woodville Road
0.8 mi
2m
Hurt Road
0.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 249.5 mi, about 4h 29m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 67 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,273 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~139 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, MS and Horn Lake, MS.
1
Start on this road
45 ft·2 sec·this road
2
Turn straight onto Carthage Point Road
2.1 mi·8 min·Carthage Point Road
3
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
0.1 mi·29 sec·Carthage Point Road
4
Turn straight onto Lower Woodville Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Lower Woodville Road
5
Turn right onto Highland Boulevard
1.0 mi·2 min·Highland Boulevard
6
Turn left onto US 61
6.4 mi·7 min·Seargent Prentiss Drive
7
Take the exit onto US 84
53 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 84
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
9
Merge onto I 55
53 mi·57 min·I 55
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
2.1 mi·2 min·I 55
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
194 mi·3 hr 30 min·I 55
Toward Grenada, Memphis
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
13
Keep slight left at fork
192 ft·6 sec
Toward Memphis
14
Turn left onto MS 302
2.1 mi·3 min·Goodman Road West
15
Turn left onto Hurt Road
0.5 mi·2 min·Hurt Road
16
Turn right onto Camelot Road
193 ft·8 sec·Camelot Road
17
Arrive at destination
Camelot Road
Trip Plan
Given the nearly six-hour duration, try to get an early start to avoid afternoon fatigue on the long interstate segments. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $48 budget in mind as you monitor gas prices along the corridor. Since the longest stretch spans nearly 250 miles, make sure your vehicle is prepped for sustained highway speeds before you depart Carthage. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the single-day nature of the trip allows you to adjust your departure time based on local traffic conditions. Always double-check your route through Seargent Prentiss Drive to ensure you navigate the transition onto the interstate smoothly.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 158.2 miles from Carthage, MS, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 249.5 miles.
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 70 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.2 miles or 3h 5m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Horn Lake, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carthage, 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 Carthage, MS
This is one driving day of about 316.4 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Carthage, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 249.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
4.6 mi from route
~11 min detour
$10 to $20
Grenada, Mississippi
Hours: 6:30 AM–5 PM
+16625616063
Jenkins Farms Cooking
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Oakland, Mississippi
+16624177954
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 313.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.2 mi into trip|~8m in|Carthage Point Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
117.1 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
119.2 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward Grenada, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Grenada, Memphis
5
313.4 mi into trip|~5h 53m in
Take the exit toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
6
313.7 mi into trip|~5h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Memphis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.92 one way
$87.84 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$49.14
$98.28
premium
$4.29
$53.43
$106.85
diesel
$4.80
$59.74
$119.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.9
1
$33.22
$15.19
Efficient EV
79.1
0
$27.69
$12.66
EV Truck/SUV
126.6
1
$44.30
$20.25
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Carthage, MS
Late night
in Carthage on Sunday
Local time
4:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
W 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Horn Lake, MS
Late night
in Horn Lake on Sunday
Local time
4:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
W 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
93°F
Madison, MS
158 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 59m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Natchez National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Discover the history of all the peoples of Natchez, Mississippi, from European settlement, African enslavement, the American cotton economy, to the Civil Rights struggle on the lower Mississippi River...
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
National Monument
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till traveled to Money, Mississippi, to visit relatives. He was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered after reportedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 250.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 96% of this trip consists of highway driving. The journey is dominated by a significant 249.5-mile stretch on I-55, which serves as the backbone of your route. While you will spend time on US 84 and Seargent Prentiss Drive, the overwhelming majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent maintaining interstate speeds. This profile is ideal for drivers who prefer a steady, predictable pace rather than navigating technical local roads. Be prepared for a long, consistent haul that prioritizes efficiency over meandering backroads.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 249.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 84. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near Carthage Point Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 316.4 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 2.2 miles (Carthage Point Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 117.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 119.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
478 ft73 ft
Total Climb
710 ft
Total Descent
487 ft
Highest Point
478 ft
~67.8 mi in
Elevation Range
405 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Carthage, MS and Horn Lake, MS, road signs point toward Grenada and Memphis.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 59m. Total distance: 316.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 249.5 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Horn Lake, MS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (Carthage Point Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 117.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 119.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Natchez National Historical Park, Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Horn Lake, MS before the return drive.
