This 373.5-mile journey from Horn Lake, MS to Vancleave, MS is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 7 hours and 10 minutes of driving time. You'll spend 96% of your time on the highway, making this a primarily road-focused experience. With a projected fuel cost of $57, it's an economical option for exploring more of Mississippi. While the longest stretch without a major road change is 193.5 miles on I-55, the route includes 2 planned stops to break up the drive. This trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
186.7 miles from Horn Lake, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m 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
I 10
10.4 mi
11m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
MS 57
7.5 mi
10m
US 98
3.2 mi
4m
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 Vancleave, 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
10 mi·11 min·I 10
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward MS 57: Vancleave, Gautier, Ocean Springs
24
Keep slight left at fork
93 ft·4 sec
25
Turn left onto MS 57
7.5 mi·10 min·MS 57
26
Arrive at destination
MS 57
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour, 10-minute duration, it's wise to start your drive from Horn Lake early to maximize daylight and minimize driving fatigue. With only 2 recommended stops planned for this 373.5-mile route, plan them strategically to include a meal break and a chance to stretch your legs. The longest stretch of 193.5 miles on I-55 means you'll want to ensure you have ample fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $57 estimated cost suggests you'll be covering significant distance on the interstate.
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 186.7 miles from Horn Lake, MS, or about 3h 24m 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 82 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.7 miles or 3h 24m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vancleave, 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 373.5 miles and 7h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 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 19
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
$56.41 one way
$112.81 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$61.92
$123.84
premium
$4.56
$67.04
$134.08
diesel
$5.61
$82.46
$164.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.1
1
$39.22
$17.93
Efficient EV
93.4
1
$32.68
$14.94
EV Truck/SUV
149.4
1
$52.29
$23.90
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (66% 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
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Vancleave, MS
Evening
in Vancleave on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
16 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 193.2
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 64.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 373.5-mile trip, with 96% of your time spent on major roadways like I-55 and US 49. The personality of the road is predominantly fast-paced, allowing for steady progress towards Vancleave. The most significant continuous driving segment you'll encounter is 193.5 miles on I-55, so be prepared for an extended period on this interstate. As you transition to Highway 49 South, the character may shift slightly, but the overall feel remains that of a direct, efficient drive.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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 19 significant decision points across 373.5 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 Vancleave, 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 7h 10m. Total distance: 373.5 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 Vancleave, 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 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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Vancleave, MS before the return drive.
