Spanning 376.4 miles across Mississippi, this journey takes you from Horn Lake in the north to Escatawpa in the southeast. You should plan for a total driving time of approximately 7 hours and 10 minutes, making it a manageable, albeit long, day trip for most drivers. With a fuel budget of about $58, the route relies heavily on local navigation rather than major interstates. You will primarily follow Hurt Road, Goodman Road West, and Jackson to reach your destination. Because the entire trip stays within the Southeast region, you won't experience drastic climate shifts, but the length of the drive suggests you should prepare for a full day on the road.
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
188.2 miles from Horn Lake, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
193.5 mi
3h 29m
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 98
50.2 mi
58m
MS 63
36.8 mi
41m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 49
2.2 mi
3m
Goodman Road West
1.8 mi
2m
Hurt Road
0.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 193.5 mi, about 3h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Horn Lake, MS and Escatawpa, MS.
1
Start on Camelot Road
193 ft·13 sec·Camelot Road
2
Turn left onto Hurt Road
0.5 mi·2 min·Hurt Road
3
Turn right onto MS 302
1.8 mi·2 min·Goodman Road West
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward Jackson
5
Merge onto I 55; I 69
194 mi·3 hr 29 min·I 55; I 69
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
8
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 59
7.7 mi·8 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto US 98
18 mi·21 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 98
32 mi·37 min·US 98
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
16
Turn right onto MS 63
37 mi·41 min·MS 63
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
18
Merge onto I 10
0.4 mi·24 sec·I 10
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward MS 613: Moss Point, Pascagoula
20
Keep slight right at fork
265 ft·6 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your 7-hour and 10-minute journey comfortable, aim to incorporate at least two planned stops to break up the local driving. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate the turn-heavy roads while you are fresh and alert. Since you are relying on local roads, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip to ensure you stay within your $58 estimate, as local roads may not offer the same density of service stations as major highways. A concrete tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation system updated and ready, as the reliance on local roads like Hurt Road and Goodman Road West requires more frequent directional changes than a standard highway route.
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 188.2 miles from Horn Lake, MS, or about 3h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 193.5 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 83 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 188.2 miles or 3h 26m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Escatawpa, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Horn Lake, 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 Horn Lake, MS
This is one driving day of about 376.4 miles and 7h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Horn Lake, 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 193.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 196.3 and 287.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
196.3 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattie...
6
197.2 mi into trip|~3h 36m in|US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49 toward Richland, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
7
279.8 mi into trip|~5h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
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 I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
6
280.1 mi into trip|~5h 18m in|I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
7
287.9 mi into trip|~5h 26m in|US 98
Take the exit onto US 98 toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
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 US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.85 one way
$113.69 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg132 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$62.40
$124.80
premium
$4.56
$67.56
$135.12
diesel
$5.61
$83.10
$166.21
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: 131.7 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
112.9
1
$39.52
$18.07
Efficient EV
94.1
1
$32.93
$15.06
EV Truck/SUV
150.6
1
$52.70
$24.09
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
Horn Lake, MS
Evening
in Horn Lake on Saturday
Local time
8:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Escatawpa, MS
Evening
in Escatawpa on Saturday
Local time
8:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 10m 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 194.7
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 64.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. Navigating these local roads requires your full attention, as the path demands frequent adjustments rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed travel. You will find that the road's personality is defined by consistent turns and regional connectivity, which creates a very different experience than a typical highway trek. This technical, local approach means you should anticipate a more hands-on driving experience that covers the 376.4-mile distance through a series of smaller, winding segments.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 193.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Highway 49 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 196.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 16 significant decision points across 376.4 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 196.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 197.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 279.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Horn Lake, MS and Escatawpa, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mobile.
Hattiesburg
196.3 mi in|~3h 35m
Richland
197.2 mi in|~3h 36m|via US 49
Gulf Coast
279.8 mi in|~5h 17m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
280.1 mi in|~5h 18m|via I 59
Mobile
287.9 mi in|~5h 26m|via US 98
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 10m. Total distance: 376.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 193.5 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 Escatawpa, 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 196.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 197.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 279.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Escatawpa, MS before the return drive.
