Hickory Flat is a town in Benton County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 601 at the 2010 census. Hickory Flat was named from a nearby grove of hickory trees. U.S. Route 78, a freeway, serves the town via Exit 48. Mississippi Highway 178, following the former route of US 78, runs through the center of the town. Via US 78, it is 20 miles northwe…Hickory Flat is a town in Benton County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 601 at the 2010 census. Hickory Flat was named from a nearby grove of hickory trees. U.S. Route 78, a freeway, serves the town via Exit 48. Mississippi Highway 178, following the former route of US 78, runs through the center of the town. Via US 78, it is 20 miles northwest to Holly Springs, 65 miles northwest to Memphis, 14 miles southeast to New Albany, and 42 miles southeast to Tupelo.