Brookhaven, MS to Olive Branch, MS is 257 miles and takes about 4h 45m via I 55 and I 269, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Mississippi, connecting the Southeast regions. Expect a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a good option if you need to get between these points efficiently. With a recommended single day for travel, you can easily complete this trip without needing an overnight stop.
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
128.5 miles from Brookhaven, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
237.7 mi
4h 17m
I 269
8.7 mi
9m
MS 305
6.4 mi
11m
Union St Extended Northeast
0.8 mi
1m
US 51
0.7 mi
1m
East Monticello Street
0.5 mi
1m
Union Church Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Schwem Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 237.7 mi, about 4h 17m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 63 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,439 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~144 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.9×
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 Brookhaven, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on MS 184
0.5 mi·1 min·East Monticello Street
2
Turn right onto MS 550
0.1 mi·15 sec·Schwem Avenue
3
Turn left onto MS 550
528 ft·10 sec·West Congress Street
4
Continue on MS 550
0.3 mi·39 sec·Union Church Road
5
Turn right onto US 51
0.7 mi·1 min·US 51
6
Turn left onto Union St Extended Northeast
0.8 mi·1 min·Union St Extended Northeast
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
8
Merge onto I 55
49 mi·52 min·I 55
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
2.1 mi·2 min·I 55
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
187 mi·3 hr 22 min·I 55
Toward Grenada, Memphis
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 69 South: Tunica
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
13
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
8.7 mi·9 min·I 269; MS 304
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg
15
Turn left onto MS 305
6.4 mi·11 min·MS 305
16
Turn right onto Goodman Road
260 ft·5 sec·Goodman Road
17
Arrive at destination
Goodman Road
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 45-minute drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but consider an early start to avoid heavier traffic. The longest stretch on I 55 is significant, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before you hit that segment if you prefer shorter driving periods. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Olive Branch, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates.
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 128.5 miles from Brookhaven, MS, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.7 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 57 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.5 miles or 2h 21m 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 50m
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 Brookhaven, 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 Brookhaven, MS
This is one driving day of about 257 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Brookhaven, 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 237.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 250.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|MS 550 / West Congress Street
Turn left onto MS 550 / West Congress Street
Navigation decision point
4
51.7 mi into trip|~57m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
53.8 mi into trip|~1h 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
241 mi into trip|~4h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 East: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
5
250.2 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
$35.68 one way
$71.35 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$39.92
$79.83
premium
$4.29
$43.40
$86.79
diesel
$4.80
$48.53
$97.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.1
0
$26.99
$12.34
Efficient EV
64.3
0
$22.49
$10.28
EV Truck/SUV
102.8
1
$35.98
$16.45
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Brookhaven, MS
Afternoon
in Brookhaven on Sunday
Local time
12:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Afternoon
in Olive Branch on Sunday
Local time
12:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
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
1 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
4h 45m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 53.2
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 186.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is almost entirely highway driving, with 99% of the 257 miles on major interstates like I 55 and I 269. You'll experience a long stretch of 237.7 miles on I 55, indicating minimal time on slower roads. The drive will likely feel like continuous cruising with frequent exits as you approach your destination.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 237.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 269. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near MS 550 / West Congress Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 257 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.6 miles (MS 550 / West Congress Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 53.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
493 ft220 ft
Total Climb
277 ft
Total Descent
386 ft
Highest Point
493 ft
Elevation Range
273 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brookhaven, MS and Olive Branch, MS, road signs point toward Grenada and Memphis.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 257 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 237.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Olive Branch, MS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (MS 550 / West Congress Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 53.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Olive Branch, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
