Horn Lake, MS to Meridian, MS is 238.5 miles and takes about 4h 41m via US 78, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traversing the Southeast region from start to finish. With 94% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct path that makes it easy to cover ground. If you're looking for a straightforward, single-day drive within the state, this route fits the bill. It's a practical option for getting from one point to another without extensive detours.
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
119.3 miles from Horn Lake, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 78
83.4 mi
1h 29m
US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 45 Alternate
54.7 mi
1h 6m
US 45
14.1 mi
17m
Goodman Road West
10.2 mi
15m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
Old Highway 45 North
4.8 mi
7m
Front Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 78
— 83.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Horn Lake, MS and Meridian, 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
10 mi·15 min·Goodman Road West
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
5
Merge onto US 78
83 mi·1 hr 29 min·US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward US 45:south: Tupelo
7
Merge onto US 45
14 mi·17 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
9
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
10
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
11
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
12
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
13
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Old Highway 45 North
4.8 mi·7 min·Old Highway 45 North
16
Continue on MS 884
0.6 mi·54 sec·Dale Drive
17
Continue on Front Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Front Street
18
Continue on 4th Street
0.1 mi·9 sec·4th Street
19
Turn slight left onto 2nd Street
0.5 mi·49 sec·2nd Street
20
Turn right onto 22nd Avenue
0.2 mi·29 sec·22nd Avenue
21
Turn left onto 8th Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·8th Street
22
Turn left onto 25th Avenue
272 ft·11 sec·25th Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
25th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 41m duration, consider leaving Horn Lake in the morning to arrive in Meridian with plenty of daylight. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan it strategically along your route. With a fuel cost estimated at $38 for the 238.5 miles, be sure to fill up before you depart or at a point where you know fuel is available, as long highway stretches can sometimes mean fewer immediate options. This is a manageable one-day drive, offering flexibility to depart at your preferred time.
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 119.3 miles from Horn Lake, MS, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.4 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 52 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.3 miles or 2h 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 3h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meridian, 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 238.5 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 US 78 for about 83.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway reset
4.6 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10 to $20
Tupelo, Mississippi
Hours: 11 AM–9 PM
+16622604423
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 238.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Hurt Road
Turn left onto Hurt Road
Navigation decision point
5
0.5 mi into trip|~2m in|MS 302 / Goodman Road West
Turn right onto MS 302 / Goodman Road West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
11.1 mi into trip|~18m in|US 78
Merge onto US 78
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
94.9 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|US 45
Merge onto US 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
238.5 mi into trip|~4h 41m in|25th Avenue
Turn left onto 25th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.66 one way
$73.32 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$40.55
$81.09
premium
$4.65
$43.63
$87.27
diesel
$5.35
$50.24
$100.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.6
0
$25.04
$11.45
Efficient EV
59.6
0
$20.87
$9.54
EV Truck/SUV
95.4
1
$33.39
$15.26
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Horn Lake, MS
Afternoon
in Horn Lake on Wednesday
Local time
3:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Chance Rain Showers
NW 0 to 5 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 1:47AM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 9:18PM CDT until June 3 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Meridian, MS
Afternoon
in Meridian on Wednesday
Local time
3:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 1:47AM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 9:18PM CDT until June 3 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
69°F
Saltillo, MS
119 mi in
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 41m 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.
Tupelo National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 90.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 94% of the 238.5 miles spent on major roads. You'll experience an 83.4-mile stretch on US 78 without needing to exit. Expect continuous highway cruising for the majority of your travel time, with a relatively small portion on surface roads at the beginning and end. The frequent highway miles mean you'll likely encounter many exits and interchanges as you progress.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.4 mi on US 78.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 78 and US Highway 45 Aiternate. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Hurt Road.
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 238.5 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (Hurt Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (MS 302 / Goodman Road West): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles (US 78): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
503 ft187 ft
Total Climb
410 ft
Total Descent
366 ft
Highest Point
503 ft
~31.8 mi in
Elevation Range
316 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Meridian is a city in Mississippi. It was a titan of commerce of sorts during the Reconstruction era and up through the Great Depression, even after General Tecumseh Sherman had torched it, due to its being a hub to five major rail lines and manufacturing during its golden age. It is now a treasure trove for some of the architecture preserved from that period. Meridian is also noted for being the location of the US v. Cecil Price court case, where several Ku Klux Klan members were charged for the abduction and murder of three Civil Rights workers in 1964 in nearby Neshoba County, an event analogously portrayed in the film Mississippi Burning.
Top landmarks
•Meridian Regional Airport — airport in Mississippi, USA
•Threefoot Building — historic office building located in downtown Meridian, Mississippi
•Alex Loeb Building — commercial building in Meridian, Mississippi
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 238.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.4 miles on US 78. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas 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: near the start (Hurt Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (MS 302 / Goodman Road West): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles (US 78): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Tupelo National Battlefield and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Meridian, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
