Spanning 376.7 miles, this journey across Mississippi takes you from the southeastern corner of the state all the way up to Horn Lake. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 7 hours and 11 minutes. Given the duration, this is manageable as a single-day trip if you get an early start, though it remains a significant commitment behind the wheel. Budgeting around $58 for fuel will cover your transit from the Southeast region toward the northern reaches of the state. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, expect a more active experience than a simple interstate cruise.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
188.4 miles from Escatawpa, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
193.7 mi
3h 29m
US 49
83.7 mi
1h 42m
US 98
50 mi
58m
MS 63
36.2 mi
41m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
8.2 mi
8m
Goodman Road West
2.1 mi
3m
MS 613
0.9 mi
1m
Hurt Road
0.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 193.7 mi, about 3h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Escatawpa, MS and Horn Lake, MS.
1
Start on this road
15 ft·0 sec·this road
2
Turn slight right onto MS 613
0.9 mi·1 min·MS 613
3
Turn right
0.4 mi·36 sec
4
Continue on Old Saracennia Road
514 ft·10 sec·Old Saracennia Road
5
Turn left onto MS 63
36 mi·41 min·MS 63
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
7
Merge onto US 98
26 mi·30 min·US 98
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 98
23 mi·26 min·US 98
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 98
0.8 mi·1 min·US 98
Toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, LaurelUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 59; US 98
8.2 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Toward US 49 North, MS 42 West: JacksonUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on US 49
1.2 mi·1 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 49; MS 42
5.4 mi·6 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 49
5.3 mi·6 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 49
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 49
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 49
4.2 mi·4 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 49
66 mi·1 hr 20 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit onto US 49
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 49
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Jackson
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.9 mi·1 min·US 49
21
Merge onto I 55
194 mi·3 hr 29 min·I 55
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
23
Keep slight left at fork
192 ft·6 sec
Toward Memphis
24
Turn left onto MS 302
2.1 mi·3 min·Goodman Road West
25
Turn left onto Hurt Road
0.5 mi·2 min·Hurt Road
26
Turn right onto Camelot Road
193 ft·8 sec·Camelot Road
27
Arrive at destination
Camelot Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 7-hour and 11-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure to navigate the turn-heavy local sections during daylight hours. Planning for two strategic stops will help break up the journey and keep you refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $58 estimate is a baseline; having a little extra for local detours is always a wise move. Because this route involves significant local road travel, use your GPS actively to stay on track through the various intersections. Embracing the flexibility of a one-day trip allows you to set your own pace, so don't hesitate to pull over if the local roads feel particularly demanding.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 188.4 miles from Escatawpa, MS, or about 3h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 193.7 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 83 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 188.4 miles or 3h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 3m
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 Escatawpa, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Escatawpa, MS
This is one driving day of about 376.7 miles and 7h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Escatawpa, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 193.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 38 and 374.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
38 mi into trip|~44m in|US 98
Merge onto US 98
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
87.1 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|US 98
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 North, US 98 West: Columbia, Laurel
5
87.9 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|I 59; US 98 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 59; US 98 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
96.2 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 49 North, MS 42 West: Jackson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 49 North, MS 42 West: Jackson
6
374.1 mi into trip|~7h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Memphis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.89 one way
$113.78 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg132 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$62.45
$124.90
premium
$4.56
$67.61
$135.23
diesel
$5.61
$83.17
$166.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
113
1
$39.55
$18.08
Efficient EV
94.2
1
$32.96
$15.07
EV Truck/SUV
150.7
1
$52.74
$24.11
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Escatawpa, MS
Evening
in Escatawpa on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Horn Lake, MS
Evening
in Horn Lake on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
19 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 11m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 181.9
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 311.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied experience as you transition from local roads like Old Saracennia Road onto the Lance Corporal Roy M. Wheat Memorial Highway and I-59 North. This route is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as the highway share is 0%. You will spend your time navigating through the interior of Mississippi, which requires more focus than highway driving. Since there is no single long, uninterrupted stretch, the drive feels dynamic and requires constant attention to changing road conditions. Stay alert behind the wheel, as the technical nature of these local roads keeps the pace engaging throughout the 376.7-mile trek.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 193.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 38 miles in near US 98.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 376.7 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 38 miles (US 98): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.1 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.9 miles (I 59; US 98 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Escatawpa, MS and Horn Lake, MS, road signs point toward Laurel and Jackson.
Laurel
87.1 mi in|~1h 41m|via US 98
Jackson
178.5 mi in|~3h 33m|via US 49
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 11m. Total distance: 376.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 193.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 38 miles (US 98): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.1 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.9 miles (I 59; US 98 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — 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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 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.
