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Trip from Horn Lake, MS to West Hattiesburg, MS

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

5h 24m

Distance

283.7 mi

457 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 11m ★
6 AM
5h 24m
8 AM
5h 51m
10 AM
5h 34m
12 PM
5h 31m
3 PM
5h 35m
5 PM
5h 50m
8 PM
5h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in DeSoto County, Mississippi, United States

Horn Lake, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown West Hattiesburg, MS, MS

West Hattiesburg, MS

大 董

Trip Overview

The drive from Horn Lake, MS to West Hattiesburg, MS covers 283.7 miles and takes about 5h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, Highway 49 South, US 49 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 193.5 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.85 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

141.9 miles from Horn Lake, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 24m highway drive covering 283.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Highway 49 South. The longest continuous stretch is about 193.5 miles on I 55.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 193.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 283.7 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 282 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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
282 mi into trip | ~5h 20m in

Take the exit toward US 98 West: Columbia, Hardy Street

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 US 98 West: Columbia, Hardy Street
7
282.1 mi into trip | ~5h 20m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 98 West: Hardy Street, University of Southern Mississippi, Columbia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 98 West: Hardy Street, University of...
6
282.2 mi into trip | ~5h 21m in | US 98 / Hardy Street

Turn right onto US 98 / Hardy Street toward US 98 West: Columbia

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward US 98 West: Columbia

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 West Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg and Richland.

Hattiesburg

196.3 mi in | ~3h 35m

Richland

197.2 mi in | ~3h 36m | via US 49

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 193.5 mi 3h 29m
Highway 49 South 80.3 mi 1h 37m
US 49 2.2 mi 3m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway 1.9 mi 1m
Goodman Road West 1.8 mi 2m
Hardy Street 1.2 mi 2m
Hurt Road 0.5 mi 2m
Weathersby Road 0.2 mi <1m
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 West 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

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 Coast Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto I 59

1.9 mi · 1 min · Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward US 98 West: Columbia, Hardy Street Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork

236 ft · 8 sec
Toward US 98 West: Hardy Street, University of Southern Mississippi, Columbia
15

Turn right onto US 98

1.2 mi · 2 min · Hardy Street
Toward US 98 West: Columbia Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Turn left onto Weathersby Road

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Weathersby Road
Use the left lane.
17

Turn right onto North Lane

0.1 mi · 23 sec · North Lane
18

Arrive at destination

McKenzie Circle

Trip Plan

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 141.9 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 62 miles or 1h 10m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 141.9 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 West 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 283.7 miles and 5h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 141.9 mi from Horn Lake, MS · 2h 36m into the drive

Italian city and commune, located in Tuscany

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Florence, MS

142 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

Batesville, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Madison, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 141.9 miles from Horn Lake, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 193.5 miles.

Arriving in West Hattiesburg, MS

The final approach into West Hattiesburg, 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 West Hattiesburg, 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

$42.85 one way

$85.69 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $47.03 $94.07
premium $4.56 $50.92 $101.84
diesel $5.61 $62.64 $125.27

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 85.1 1 $29.79 $13.62
Efficient EV 70.9 0 $24.82 $11.35
EV Truck/SUV 113.5 1 $39.72 $18.16

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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Horn Lake, MS

Evening in Horn Lake on Wednesday

Local time

6:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

West Hattiesburg, MS

Evening in West Hattiesburg on Wednesday

Local time

6:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

55°F

Florence, MS

142 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

23 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 24m 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 Horn Lake, MS to West Hattiesburg, MS covers 283.7 miles and takes about 5h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Highway 49 South, US 49. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 141.9 miles from Horn Lake, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.85 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 is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 283.7 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.
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 282 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Horn Lake, MS and West Hattiesburg, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg and Richland.

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