Florence, MS to Horn Lake, MS is 207.1 miles and takes about 3h 51m via I 55 and Highway 49 South, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, connecting the Southeast regions. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that should be manageable for most drivers looking for a direct connection between these two points. With only one recommended stop, it’s designed for efficiency, getting you to your destination without much fuss. Plan for a single day of travel here.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
103.6 miles from Florence, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
193.7 mi
3h 29m
Highway 49 South
8.3 mi
11m
Goodman Road West
2.1 mi
3m
US 49
1.8 mi
2m
Hurt Road
0.5 mi
2m
MS 469
0.4 mi
<1m
Camelot Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 193.7 mi, about 3h 29m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 57 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,443 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~141 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
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 Florence, MS and Horn Lake, MS.
1
Start on MS 469
0.4 mi·47 sec·MS 469
2
Turn left onto US 49
8.3 mi·11 min·Highway 49 South
3
Take the exit onto US 49
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 49
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Jackson
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.9 mi·1 min·US 49
6
Merge onto I 55
194 mi·3 hr 29 min·I 55
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
8
Keep slight left at fork
192 ft·6 sec
Toward Memphis
9
Turn left onto MS 302
2.1 mi·3 min·Goodman Road West
10
Turn left onto Hurt Road
0.5 mi·2 min·Hurt Road
11
Turn right onto Camelot Road
193 ft·8 sec·Camelot Road
12
Arrive at destination
Camelot Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of around 3 hours and 51 minutes, this route is easily completed in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Horn Lake, MS with daylight to spare. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is nearly 194 miles on I 55, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking or plan to refuel before entering this long segment. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to depart at your convenience, but remember that services might become less frequent on the latter part of I 55 as you head north.
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 103.6 miles from Florence, MS, or about 1h 55m 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 46 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.6 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 7m
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 Florence, 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 Florence, MS
This is one driving day of about 207.1 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Florence, 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 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.9 and 207.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
8.9 mi into trip|~12m in|US 49
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49 toward Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Jackson
4
9.5 mi into trip|~14m in|US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
204.2 mi into trip|~3h 44m 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
204.5 mi into trip|~3h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Memphis
4
207.1 mi into trip|~3h 51m in|Camelot Road
Turn right onto Camelot Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.75 one way
$57.50 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$32.17
$64.33
premium
$4.29
$34.97
$69.94
diesel
$4.80
$39.10
$78.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.1
0
$21.75
$9.94
Efficient EV
51.8
0
$18.12
$8.28
EV Truck/SUV
82.8
1
$28.99
$13.25
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Florence, MS
Late night
in Florence on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Horn Lake, MS
Late night
in Horn Lake on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
SW 0 to 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 51m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
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 142.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 99% of your time on highways, with a single stretch of 193.7 miles on I 55. The transition to surface roads will occur as you approach your destination, primarily on Goodman Road West. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the vast majority of this drive. The density of exits on I 55 means you'll have opportunities for services if needed, but the profile is overwhelmingly highway driving.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Highway 49 South. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8.9 miles in near US 49.
Driving Effort5/10
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 207.1 miles you will encounter 8 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 8.9 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 9.5 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 204.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 51m. Total distance: 207.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.9 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 9.5 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 204.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Horn Lake, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
