Horn Lake, MS to Gulf Hills, MS is 360.8 miles and takes about 6h 57m via I 55 and Highway 49 South, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. You'll primarily be on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. It's a single-day option if you get an early start, or a relaxed half-day trip if you prefer to take your time. Consider this route for its efficiency and direct path across the state.
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
180.4 miles from Horn Lake, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
193.5 mi
3h 29m
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
US 49
44.1 mi
53m
Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
20.5 mi
24m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
I 10
2.7 mi
2m
Goodman Road West
1.8 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 Gulf Hills, 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
3.2 mi·4 min·US 98
Toward US 98 East: Lucedale, MobileUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Multi Purpose Center, HattiesburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto US 49
42 mi·49 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward MS 67 South: D'Iberville, Biloxi
18
Continue on MS 67
20 mi·24 min·Biloxi-D'Iberville Scenic Expressway
19
Continue on I 110
0.1 mi·10 sec·I 110
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 4AToward I 10 East: Pascagoula, Mobile
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 10
22
Merge onto I 10
2.7 mi·2 min·I 10
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward MS 609: Ocean Springs
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
25
Turn straight onto MS 609
1.6 mi·3 min·Washington Avenue
26
Turn right onto Hugh Seymour Lane
0.2 mi·57 sec·Hugh Seymour Lane
27
Turn right onto Ridge Road
0.2 mi·55 sec·Ridge Road
28
Continue on Shore Drive
0.1 mi·39 sec·Shore Drive
29
Turn left onto West el Bonito Drive
0.2 mi·51 sec·West el Bonito Drive
30
Arrive at destination
West el Bonito Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 57m drive, aim to depart Horn Lake in the morning, ideally before 9 AM, to ensure you have ample daylight for arrival. With a single recommended day and a 360.8-mile distance, you can complete this trip without overnight stops, but plan for one fuel and rest break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from I 55 to Highway 49 South, as services can be more spread out on the latter. Your estimated fuel cost is around $54, so budget accordingly.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 180.4 miles from Horn Lake, MS, or about 3h 18m 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 79 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.4 miles or 3h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gulf Hills, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Horn Lake, MS
This is one driving day of about 360.8 miles and 6h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Horn Lake, 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 193.5 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 197.2 and 291.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
7
291.1 mi into trip|~5h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast
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 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gu...
9
291.4 mi into trip|~5h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.49 one way
$108.98 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$59.82
$119.63
premium
$4.56
$64.76
$129.52
diesel
$5.61
$79.66
$159.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.2
1
$37.88
$17.32
Efficient EV
90.2
1
$31.57
$14.43
EV Truck/SUV
144.3
1
$50.51
$23.09
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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 20, 2026
Origin
Horn Lake, MS
Late night
in Horn Lake on Tuesday
Local time
4:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Clear
SSW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Gulf Hills, MS
Late night
in Gulf Hills on Tuesday
Local time
4:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
5 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
6h 57m 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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 186.6
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 62.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend about 95% of your time on highways, meaning this is a high-speed, efficient trip for much of the way. The longest continuous stretch of driving is 193.5 miles on I 55. You'll transition from the interstate to Highway 49 South, which will feel like a more rural cruising experience with fewer exits as you approach your destination. The dense exit ramps on I 55 will give way to more open stretches as you move onto the US highway.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 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 197.2 miles in near US 49.
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 22 significant decision points across 360.8 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 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; at 287.9 miles (US 98): 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 Gulf Hills, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile and Gulfport - among others.
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
Gulfport
291.1 mi in|~5h 30m
Multi Purpose Center
291.4 mi in|~5h 31m
Biloxi
333.4 mi in|~6h 21m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 57m. Total distance: 360.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 57m 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 Gulf Hills, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 287.9 miles (US 98): 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 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gulf Hills, MS before the return drive.
