If you are traveling from the Mississippi Delta to the northern suburbs of the state, this 82-mile trek between Clarksdale and Olive Branch is a straightforward journey. You can easily complete the drive in about 1 hour and 41 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $13 for fuel for this one-way run. Since both cities are located within the Southeast, the transition is smooth and familiar. This route is purely functional, serving as a direct path through the region rather than a destination-heavy scenic tour. It is a practical choice if you need to move efficiently between these two points in Mississippi.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41 miles from Clarksdale, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 49
31.8 mi
36m
MS 304
23.2 mi
24m
US 61
17 mi
20m
MS 305
6.4 mi
11m
4th Street
1.9 mi
4m
MS 6
0.6 mi
<1m
Goodman Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 49
— 31.8 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarksdale, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·50 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto 4th Street
1.9 mi·4 min·4th Street
3
Continue on MS 6
0.6 mi·50 sec·MS 6
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·34 sec
5
Merge onto US 49; US 61
32 mi·36 min·US 49; US 61
6
Continue on US 61; MS 4
17 mi·20 min·US 61; MS 4
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward MS 304 East: Memphis, Hernando
8
Continue on MS 304
23 mi·24 min·MS 304
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
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to depart whenever it suits your plans. With no mandatory stops required to reach your destination in under two hours, you can drive straight through without needing to plan for lengthy rest breaks. Keep in mind that because the vast majority of the 82 miles are on highways, you should stay alert for typical high-speed traffic patterns on US 49. It is wise to check your fuel levels before leaving Clarksdale, as the $13 cost estimate assumes a direct trip without detours. Being prepared for the highway-heavy nature of the route will help you maintain a comfortable pace from start to finish.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41 miles from Clarksdale, MS, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.8 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 23m
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 Clarksdale, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clarksdale, MS
This is one driving day of about 82 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Clarksdale, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 49 for about 31.8 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 81.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|4th Street
Turn left onto 4th Street
Navigation decision point
5
51.7 mi into trip|~1h 3m 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
75.2 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
75.5 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|MS 305
Turn left onto MS 305
Navigation decision point
4
81.9 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|Goodman Road
Turn right onto Goodman Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.38 one way
$24.77 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$13.59
$27.19
premium
$4.56
$14.72
$29.44
diesel
$5.61
$18.10
$36.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.6
0
$8.61
$3.94
Efficient EV
20.5
0
$7.18
$3.28
EV Truck/SUV
32.8
0
$11.48
$5.25
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
Clarksdale, MS
Late night
in Clarksdale on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 10 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Late night
in Olive Branch on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
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
4 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
1h 41m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 96% of your time spent on major thoroughfares like US 49, US 61, and MS 304. You will experience a consistent pace behind the wheel, characterized by steady highway driving rather than winding local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 31.8 miles on US 49, allowing for a predictable and rhythmic commute. Because the route relies heavily on major arteries, the personality of the drive is utilitarian and efficient. You won't face complex navigation, as the transition between these primary roads is designed for quick, long-distance travel.
96% 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: 31.8 mi on US 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 49 and MS 304. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 4th Street.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Clarksdale, MS to Olive Branch, MS is easy. At 1h 41m with 96% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
402 ft169 ft
Total Climb
237 ft
Total Descent
26 ft
Highest Point
402 ft
~70.2 mi in
Elevation Range
233 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clarksdale, MS and Olive Branch, MS, road signs point toward Hernando and Lewisburg.
Hernando
51.7 mi in|~1h 3m
Lewisburg
75.2 mi in|~1h 29m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 82 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 31.8 miles on US 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Olive Branch, MS before heading back.
