Spanning 349.6 miles from the coast to the northern border, this journey through Mississippi takes approximately 6 hours and 46 minutes to complete. Because the route is nearly entirely interstate or major highway, you can comfortably finish this trip in a single day. You will primarily utilize US 49 and I-55, eventually finishing your trip on Goodman Road West. Budgeting around $53 for fuel is a safe estimate for the drive. While the route stays within the Southeast, you will see the landscape transition from the Gulf Coast to the northern reaches of the state. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that works best for travelers looking to move efficiently between West Gulfport and Horn Lake.
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
174.8 miles from West Gulfport, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
193.7 mi
3h 29m
US 49
152.8 mi
3h 9m
Goodman Road West
2.1 mi
3m
Hurt Road
0.5 mi
2m
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Camelot Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Arkansas Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 193.7 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 West Gulfport, MS and Horn Lake, MS.
1
Start on Arkansas Avenue
31 ft·6 sec·Arkansas Avenue
2
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
424 ft·14 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
3
Turn left onto US 49
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 49
2.4 mi·2 min·US 49
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Turn straight onto US 49
10 mi·16 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 49; MS 42
5.4 mi·6 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 49
5.3 mi·6 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 49
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 49
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 49
4.2 mi·4 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 49
66 mi·1 hr 20 min·US 49
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 49
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 49
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Jackson
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.9 mi·1 min·US 49
14
Merge onto I 55
194 mi·3 hr 29 min·I 55
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
16
Keep slight left at fork
192 ft·6 sec
Toward Memphis
17
Turn left onto MS 302
2.1 mi·3 min·Goodman Road West
18
Turn left onto Hurt Road
0.5 mi·2 min·Hurt Road
19
Turn right onto Camelot Road
193 ft·8 sec·Camelot Road
20
Arrive at destination
Camelot Road
Trip Plan
Given the nearly seven-hour duration, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and navigate traffic effectively. Plan for at least one substantial stop along the way to stretch your legs and refuel, as this will help keep you alert during the long interstate segments. Since the route relies heavily on major arteries like I-55, keep a close eye on real-time traffic reports to account for any potential congestion near urban centers. Because this is a long, highway-focused drive, maintain a consistent pace and ensure your vehicle is prepped for a full day of steady, high-speed travel. Your most important planning task is to account for that 193.7-mile stretch on I-55, as it represents the bulk of your time behind the wheel.
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 174.8 miles from West Gulfport, MS, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 193.7 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 77 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.8 miles or 3h 33m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Horn Lake, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Gulfport, 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 West Gulfport, MS
This is one driving day of about 349.6 miles and 6h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from West Gulfport, 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 193.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 346.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 49
Turn left onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
151.3 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|US 49
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49 toward Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Jackson
5
346.6 mi into trip|~6h 39m in
Take the exit toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
6
346.9 mi into trip|~6h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Memphis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.53 one way
$97.06 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$54.30
$108.60
premium
$4.29
$59.03
$118.07
diesel
$4.80
$66.01
$132.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.9
1
$36.71
$16.78
Efficient EV
87.4
0
$30.59
$13.98
EV Truck/SUV
139.8
1
$48.94
$22.37
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
West Gulfport, MS
Night
in West Gulfport on Saturday
Local time
9:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 5 to 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Horn Lake, MS
Night
in Horn Lake on Saturday
Local time
9:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
W 5 to 10 mph7% 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 46m 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 156.7
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 289.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its efficiency, with 99% of your travel taking place on high-speed highways. You should prepare for a consistent interstate experience, highlighted by a significant 193.7-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-55. The road maintains a steady, fast-paced personality, making it less about winding scenic detours and more about covering ground quickly. As you move away from the coast, the transition to the interstate system provides a predictable, high-speed environment for the majority of your trek. Expect a reliable, monotonous grind that prioritizes speed over technical driving challenges.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 193.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 349.6 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: near the start (Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 151.3 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
480 ft25 ft
Total Climb
807 ft
Total Descent
536 ft
Highest Point
480 ft
~116.5 mi in
Elevation Range
455 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 West Gulfport, MS to Horn Lake, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 46m. Total distance: 349.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 193.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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.
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 Horn Lake, 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here; at 151.3 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Horn Lake, MS before the return drive.
