Traveling from Carthage to Olive Branch covers 322.4 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 8 minutes. This route is designed as a straightforward, single-day trip that keeps you moving through the Southeast. You will rely heavily on major corridors like I-55, US-84, and I-269 to bridge the distance. With a fuel budget of approximately $49, it is an efficient way to cross the state of Mississippi. Because the drive is manageable in one go, you likely will not need to book an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. It functions best as a practical transit route rather than a leisurely sightseeing excursion.
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
161.2 miles from Carthage, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
242.2 mi
4h 21m
US 84
53.2 mi
1h 1m
I 269
8.7 mi
9m
Seargent Prentiss Drive
6.4 mi
7m
MS 305
6.4 mi
11m
Carthage Point Road
2.3 mi
8m
Highland Boulevard
1 mi
2m
Lower Woodville Road
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 242.2 mi, about 4h 21m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 67 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,273 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~139 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.4×
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 Carthage, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on this road
45 ft·2 sec·this road
2
Turn straight onto Carthage Point Road
2.1 mi·8 min·Carthage Point Road
3
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
0.1 mi·29 sec·Carthage Point Road
4
Turn straight onto Lower Woodville Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Lower Woodville Road
5
Turn right onto Highland Boulevard
1.0 mi·2 min·Highland Boulevard
6
Turn left onto US 61
6.4 mi·7 min·Seargent Prentiss Drive
7
Take the exit onto US 84
53 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 84
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
9
Merge onto I 55
53 mi·57 min·I 55
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
2.1 mi·2 min·I 55
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
187 mi·3 hr 22 min·I 55
Toward Grenada, Memphis
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 69 South: Tunica
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
14
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
8.7 mi·9 min·I 269; MS 304
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg
16
Turn left onto MS 305
6.4 mi·11 min·MS 305
17
Turn right onto Goodman Road
260 ft·5 sec·Goodman Road
18
Arrive at destination
Goodman Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a 6-hour trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid midday traffic congestion near the larger metropolitan areas you will encounter. Because you are spending the vast majority of your time on highways, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long 242.2-mile stretch on I-55 to ensure you do not run low between service stations. Flexibility is a major advantage here; since the total duration is just over 6 hours, you can comfortably adjust your departure time to suit your personal schedule without worrying about an overnight stop.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.2 miles from Carthage, MS, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 242.2 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 71 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.2 miles or 3h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h
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 Carthage, 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 Carthage, MS
This is one driving day of about 322.4 miles and 6h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Carthage, 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 242.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
$10 to $20
Grenada, Mississippi
Hours: 6:30 AM–5 PM
+16625616063
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 2.2 and 315.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.2 mi into trip|~8m in|Carthage Point Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
117.1 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
119.2 mi into trip|~2h 22m 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
306.4 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 East: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
5
315.6 mi into trip|~5h 56m 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
$44.76 one way
$89.51 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$50.07
$100.15
premium
$4.29
$54.44
$108.88
diesel
$4.80
$60.88
$121.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.7
1
$33.85
$15.48
Efficient EV
80.6
0
$28.21
$12.90
EV Truck/SUV
129
1
$45.14
$20.63
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Carthage, MS
Late night
in Carthage on Saturday
Local time
4:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
W 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Late night
in Olive Branch on Saturday
Local time
4:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
WNW 10 mph8% chanceLive forecast
95°F
Madison, MS
161 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
1 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
6h 8m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 122.3
Discover the history of all the peoples of Natchez, Mississippi, from European settlement, African enslavement, the American cotton economy, to the Civil Rights struggle on the lower Mississippi River...
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...
29 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 255.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as 96% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on high-speed roads. The journey features a significant 242.2-mile stretch on I-55, which serves as the backbone of your trip. This long segment provides a consistent driving rhythm, allowing you to cover ground quickly before transitioning onto I-269. While the route lacks the complexity of winding backroads, the transition between these major interstates keeps the drive functional and direct. You should be prepared for a steady, monotonous pace that prioritizes efficiency over exploration.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 242.2 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near Carthage Point Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 322.4 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 2.2 miles (Carthage Point Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 117.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 119.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
465 ft73 ft
Total Climb
822 ft
Total Descent
511 ft
Highest Point
465 ft
~69.1 mi in
Elevation Range
392 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Carthage, MS and Olive Branch, MS, road signs point toward Grenada and Memphis.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 8m. Total distance: 322.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 242.2 miles on I 55. 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (Carthage Point Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 117.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 119.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, Natchez National Historical Park and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Olive Branch, MS before the return drive.
