Horn Lake, MS to Hattiesburg, MS is 284.2 miles and takes about 5h 27m via I 55 and US 49, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Most of the drive is on major highways, making it a straightforward trip. With a recommended single day of driving, this route is ideal for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
142.1 miles from Horn Lake, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m 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
3.6 mi
6m
Goodman Road West
1.8 mi
2m
Old Highway 42
1.8 mi
3m
North Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Hurt Road
0.5 mi
2m
Camelot Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 193.5 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 Horn Lake, MS and Hattiesburg, 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
2.4 mi·4 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
1.8 mi·3 min·Old Highway 42
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.2 mi·2 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto Batson Street
154 ft·8 sec·Batson Street
14
Turn right
329 ft·25 sec
15
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
98 ft·4 sec·East Pine Street
16
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 27m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Hattiesburg comfortably. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility in when you stop. There's only one recommended stop, but plan for additional breaks as needed, especially during the 193.5-mile stretch on I 55. Keep an eye on your fuel, as highway driving can consume it quickly, and budget around $42 for gas. Be aware that the majority of your travel will be on interstates, so be prepared for typical interstate traffic patterns.
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 142.1 miles from Horn Lake, MS, or about 2h 36m 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 63 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.1 miles or 2h 36m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hattiesburg, 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 284.2 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 196.3 and 282.9 — 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
5
198 mi into trip|~3h 38m in|US 49 / Highway 49 South
Merge onto US 49 / Highway 49 South
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
281.1 mi into trip|~5h 20m in|Old Highway 42
Turn left onto Old Highway 42
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
282.9 mi into trip|~5h 23m in|North Main Street
Turn right onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.45 one way
$78.90 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$44.14
$88.28
premium
$4.29
$47.99
$95.98
diesel
$4.80
$53.66
$107.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.3
1
$29.84
$13.64
Efficient EV
71.1
0
$24.87
$11.37
EV Truck/SUV
113.7
1
$39.79
$18.19
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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 18, 2026
Origin
Horn Lake, MS
Late night
in Horn Lake on Sunday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 0 to 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hattiesburg, MS
Late night
in Hattiesburg on Sunday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph4% 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 27m 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.
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 68.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 98% of it on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 193.5 miles on I 55, indicating extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur late in the trip, as US 49 eventually takes over. Expect a high volume of exits and merges as you navigate these main corridors.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Highway 49 South. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 196.3 miles in.
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 284.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 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 198 miles (US 49 / Highway 49 South): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
394 ft164 ft
Total Climb
484 ft
Total Descent
616 ft
Highest Point
394 ft
~121.8 mi in
Elevation Range
230 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Horn Lake, MS to Hattiesburg, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Richland along the way.
Hattiesburg is a city in Forrest County, in the Gulf Coast region of Mississippi. It is best known for being the home of the University of Southern Mississippi.
Top landmarks
•Hattiesburg station — Amtrak station in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA
•Old Hattiesburg High School — high school in Mississippi, United States
•African American Military History Museum — United States historic place
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 284.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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.
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 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 198 miles (US 49 / Highway 49 South): 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hattiesburg, MS before the return drive.
