Origin
Carthage, MS
Night in Carthage on Sunday
Local time
9:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carthage, MS to Horn Lake, MS
Drive Time
5h 59m
Distance
316.4 mi
509 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 47m
★
6 AM
5h 59m
8 AM
6h 25m
10 AM
6h 9m
12 PM
6h 6m
3 PM
6h 10m
5 PM
6h 24m
8 PM
5h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carthage, MS
大 董
Horn Lake, MS
Bill Barber
Trip Overview
Traveling from Carthage to Horn Lake covers 316.4 miles across Mississippi, making for a straightforward journey that takes approximately 5 hours and 59 minutes. Since this is a highway-focused drive, you can easily complete the trip in a single day, though you should budget about $48 for fuel to make the trek. You will primarily navigate via I-55, US 84, and Seargent Prentiss Drive to reach your destination. Because the route stays entirely within the Southeast region of Mississippi, the transition between the two cities is relatively seamless. It is a practical, efficient path if you need to get from central to northern Mississippi without taking complex 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
158.2 miles from Carthage, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed experience, as 96% of this trip consists of highway driving. The journey is dominated by a significant 249.5-mile stretch on I-55, which serves as the backbone of your route. While you will spend time on US 84 and Seargent Prentiss Drive, the overwhelming majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent maintaining interstate speeds. This profile is ideal for drivers who prefer a steady, predictable pace rather than navigating technical local roads. Be prepared for a long, consistent haul that prioritizes efficiency over meandering backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 249.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 84. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near Carthage Point Road.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 316.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 2.2 miles (Carthage Point Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 117.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 119.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
2.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
Carthage Point Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
117.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
119.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
|
I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward Grenada, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Grenada, Memphis
5
313.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 53m 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
313.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Memphis
Towns Along This Route
Between Carthage, MS and Horn Lake, MS, road signs point toward Grenada and Memphis.
Grenada
119.2 mi in
|
~2h 22m
|
via I 55
Memphis
119.2 mi in
|
~2h 22m
|
via I 55
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 249.5 mi | 4h 29m |
| US 84 | 53.2 mi | 1h 1m |
| Seargent Prentiss Drive | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| Carthage Point Road | 2.3 mi | 8m |
| Goodman Road West | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Highland Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
| Lower Woodville Road | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Hurt Road | 0.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 249.5 mi, about 4h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, MS and Horn Lake, MS.
1
Start on this road
45 ft
·
2 sec
·
this road
2
Turn straight onto Carthage Point Road
2.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Carthage Point Road
3
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Carthage Point Road
4
Turn straight onto Lower Woodville Road
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Lower Woodville Road
5
Turn right onto Highland Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Highland Boulevard
6
Turn left onto US 61
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Seargent Prentiss Drive
7
Take the exit onto US 84
53 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 84
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
9
Merge onto I 55
53 mi
·
57 min
·
I 55
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 55
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
194 mi
·
3 hr 30 min
·
I 55
Toward Grenada, Memphis
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward Southaven, Horn Lake, Olive Branch
13
Keep slight left at fork
192 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Memphis
14
Turn left onto MS 302
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Goodman Road West
15
Turn left onto Hurt Road
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Hurt Road
16
Turn right onto Camelot Road
193 ft
·
8 sec
·
Camelot Road
17
Arrive at destination
Camelot Road
Trip Plan
Given the nearly six-hour duration, try to get an early start to avoid afternoon fatigue on the long interstate segments. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $48 budget in mind as you monitor gas prices along the corridor. Since the longest stretch spans nearly 250 miles, make sure your vehicle is prepped for sustained highway speeds before you depart Carthage. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the single-day nature of the trip allows you to adjust your departure time based on local traffic conditions. Always double-check your route through Seargent Prentiss Drive to ensure you navigate the transition onto the interstate smoothly.
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 158.2 miles from Carthage, MS, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 249.5 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.2 miles or 3h 5m 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 54m
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 Carthage, 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 Carthage, MS
This is one driving day of about 316.4 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carthage, 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 249.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 158.2 mi from Carthage, MS · 3h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 158.2 miles from Carthage, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 249.5 miles.
Arriving in Horn Lake, MS
The final approach into Horn Lake, MS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Horn Lake, MS.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.37 one way
$96.74 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $53.05 | $106.11 |
| premium | $4.61 | $57.43 | $114.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $70.29 | $140.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.9 | 1 | $33.22 | $15.19 |
| Efficient EV | 79.1 | 0 | $27.68 | $12.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.6 | 1 | $44.30 | $20.25 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Destination
Horn Lake, MS
Night in Horn Lake on Sunday
Local time
9:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
2 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
5h 59m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Carthage, MS to Horn Lake, MS covers 316.4 miles and takes about 5h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, US 84, Seargent Prentiss Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 158.2 miles from Carthage, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.37 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 316.4 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (Carthage Point Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 117.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 119.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Carthage, MS and Horn Lake, MS, road signs point toward Grenada and Memphis.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Horn Lake, MS
More trips to Horn Lake, MS
Explore more options from Carthage, MS or browse trips ending in Horn Lake, MS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.
Explore maps for Carthage, MS or Horn Lake, MS on MapSof.net.