Brandon, MS to Olive Branch, MS is 214 miles and takes about 3h 59m via I 55 and I-20, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major interstates, making it a practical choice for a single-day journey. You'll find this route efficient for getting from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
107.1 miles from Brandon, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
186.4 mi
3h 21m
I-20
9.2 mi
10m
I 269
8.7 mi
9m
MS 305
6.4 mi
11m
East Government Street
1.1 mi
1m
Goodman Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 186.4 mi, about 3h 21m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 114 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 Brandon, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on US 80
1.1 mi·1 min·East Government Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
3
Merge onto I 20
9.2 mi·10 min·I-20
4
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 55 North: North Jackson, GrenadaUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 55
186 mi·3 hr 21 min·I 55
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 69 South: Tunica
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
8
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
8.7 mi·9 min·I 269; MS 304
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg
10
Turn left onto MS 305
6.4 mi·11 min·MS 305
11
Turn right onto Goodman Road
260 ft·5 sec·Goodman Road
12
Arrive at destination
Goodman Road
Trip Plan
Given the roughly 4-hour duration, starting your drive in the morning from Brandon, MS, allows ample time to reach Olive Branch, MS, well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a highway share of 98%, you can easily complete this in a single day. It's a good idea to ensure your fuel tank is at least half full before departing, as the longest stretch without an exit is 186.4 miles on I 55. This route is straightforward, so you can focus on enjoying the efficient journey.
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 107.1 miles from Brandon, MS, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.4 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 47 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.1 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 11m
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 Brandon, 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 Brandon, MS
This is one driving day of about 214.3 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Brandon, 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 186.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.7 and 207.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
10.7 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: North Jackson, Grenada
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 55 North: North Jackson, Grenada
4
198 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 69 South: Tunica
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 69 South: Tunica
5
198.3 mi into trip|~3h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 East: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
4
198.8 mi into trip|~3h 37m in|I 269; MS 304
Merge onto I 269; MS 304 toward I 269 East: Nashville
Merge point - match speed before joining
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
5
207.5 mi into trip|~3h 46m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.75 one way
$59.50 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$33.28
$66.57
premium
$4.29
$36.19
$72.37
diesel
$4.80
$40.46
$80.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.3
0
$22.50
$10.29
Efficient EV
53.6
0
$18.75
$8.57
EV Truck/SUV
85.7
1
$30.00
$13.72
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Brandon, MS
Late night
in Brandon on Monday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
WNW 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Late night
in Olive Branch on Monday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
W 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
93°F
Winona, MS
107 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
19 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 59m 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.
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...
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...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 140.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive with 98% of the route on interstates. You'll primarily be navigating on I 55, I-20, and I 269. Expect a consistent driving experience for much of the trip, including a substantial stretch of 186.4 miles on I 55 without needing to exit. The character of this drive is one of efficient travel on well-maintained, high-speed roadways.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I-20. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.7 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 214.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 198.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
471 ft204 ft
Total Climb
483 ft
Total Descent
569 ft
Highest Point
471 ft
Elevation Range
267 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 Brandon, MS to Olive Branch, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Grenada along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 214.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.4 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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.
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: at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 198.3 miles: 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Olive Branch, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
