Traveling from Belzoni to Olive Branch covers 162.2 miles, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 31 minutes. Since the entire route stays within Mississippi, you will remain in the Southeast for the duration of your trip. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay to manage the distance comfortably. Expect to budget roughly $25 for fuel to complete the trek. By utilizing US 49W, US 61, and US 49, you can navigate between these two points with straightforward highway access. It is a practical, efficient route for those looking to reach the northern part of the state without unnecessary delays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.1 miles from Belzoni, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49W
65.8 mi
1h 31m
US 61
33.2 mi
38m
US 49
32.4 mi
42m
MS 304
23.2 mi
24m
MS 305
6.4 mi
11m
1st Street
0.3 mi
<1m
US 49E
0.1 mi
<1m
Goodman Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 49W
— 65.8 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belzoni, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on MS 7
221 ft·8 sec·Martin Luther King Drive
2
Turn right onto MS 7
0.3 mi·36 sec·1st Street
3
Turn right onto US 49W
66 mi·1 hr 31 min·US 49W
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 49E
0.1 mi·11 sec·US 49E
5
Continue on US 49; MS 3
13 mi·19 min·US 49; MS 3
6
Take the ramp onto US 49
19 mi·23 min·US 49
7
Continue on US 61
33 mi·38 min·US 61
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward MS 304 East: Memphis, Hernando
9
Continue on MS 304
23 mi·24 min·MS 304
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg
11
Turn left onto MS 305
6.4 mi·11 min·MS 305
12
Turn right onto Goodman Road
260 ft·5 sec·Goodman Road
13
Arrive at destination
Goodman Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the 3.5-hour duration. Because the route relies heavily on US 49W and US 49, keep an eye on traffic patterns along these main arteries, as they serve as the primary conduits for your travel. Fueling up before you leave Belzoni is a smart move to avoid stress, though the $25 estimate should cover your needs comfortably. Use the simplicity of this 162.2-mile trip to your advantage by keeping your itinerary light and open.
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 81.1 miles from Belzoni, MS, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.8 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 36 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.1 miles or 1h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Olive Branch, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Belzoni, 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 Belzoni, MS
This is one driving day of about 162.2 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Belzoni, 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 US 49W for about 65.8 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 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 155.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MS 7 / 1st Street
Turn right onto MS 7 / 1st Street
Navigation decision point
4
66.2 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|US 49E
At end of road, turn left onto US 49E
Navigation decision point
5
131.9 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward MS 304 East: Memphis, Hernando
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 304 East: Memphis, Hernando
5
155.4 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewi...
4
155.7 mi into trip|~3h 19m in|MS 305
Turn left onto MS 305
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.50 one way
$48.99 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$26.89
$53.78
premium
$4.56
$29.11
$58.23
diesel
$5.61
$35.81
$71.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.7
0
$17.03
$7.79
Efficient EV
40.6
0
$14.19
$6.49
EV Truck/SUV
64.9
0
$22.71
$10.38
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 13, 2026
Origin
Belzoni, MS
Night
in Belzoni on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SSW 10 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Night
in Olive Branch on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
22 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
3h 31m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 67.1
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 experience, as 99% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 49W, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 65.8 miles. The road’s personality is defined by consistent, steady driving rather than winding, technical turns. Because the drive is dominated by major US highways, you can maintain a predictable pace throughout the journey. Prepare for a functional, commuter-style road experience that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity over backroad exploration.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.8 mi on US 49W.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49W and US 61. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 7 / 1st Street.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Belzoni, MS to Olive Branch, MS is easy. At 3h 31m with 99% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 7 / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 66.2 miles (US 49E): Navigation decision point; at 131.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
399 ft109 ft
Total Climb
291 ft
Total Descent
15 ft
Highest Point
399 ft
~150.6 mi in
Elevation Range
291 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 Belzoni, MS to Olive Branch, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Hernando along the way.
Hernando
131.9 mi in|~2h 53m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 162.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 65.8 miles on US 49W. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 7 / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 66.2 miles (US 49E): Navigation decision point; at 131.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Olive Branch, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
