Fayette to Olive Branch is 288 miles and takes about 5 hours 33 minutes via I-55 and I-20, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, connecting two points in the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a solid option for getting from point A to point B efficiently, especially if you're looking to cover ground without a complex itinerary.
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
144.1 miles from Fayette, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
175.8 mi
3h 8m
Church Street
31.6 mi
36m
I 20
29 mi
31m
Natchez Trace Parkway
23.5 mi
35m
I 269
8.7 mi
9m
US 61
6.8 mi
7m
MS 305
6.4 mi
11m
Main Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 175.8 mi, about 3h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayette, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on Poindexter Street
179 ft·6 sec·Poindexter Street
2
Turn right onto Main Street
1.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 61
6.8 mi·7 min·US 61
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
5
Turn straight onto MS 552
1.1 mi·2 min·MS 552
6
Turn left
0.2 mi·44 sec
7
At end of road, turn right onto Natchez Trace Parkway
8.9 mi·13 min·Natchez Trace Parkway
8
Turn left
0.2 mi·1 min
9
Turn right onto MS 547
0.9 mi·1 min·McComb Avenue
10
At end of road, turn right onto US 61
32 mi·36 min·Church Street
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 80
29 mi·31 min·I 20; US 80
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 34Toward NTP
13
Turn right onto Natchez Trace Parkway
15 mi·21 min·Natchez Trace Parkway
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward 55: Madison
15
Merge onto I 55
176 mi·3 hr 8 min·I 55
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 69 South: Tunica
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
18
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
8.7 mi·9 min·I 269; MS 304
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg
20
Turn left onto MS 305
6.4 mi·11 min·MS 305
21
Turn right onto Goodman Road
260 ft·5 sec·Goodman Road
22
Arrive at destination
Goodman Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5.5-hour drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your timing. There's only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically; perhaps a longer stop midway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 175.8-mile stretch on I-55, as services can be more spread out in certain sections. The estimated $44 fuel cost should help you budget accordingly for the 288.2-mile 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 144.1 miles from Fayette, MS, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 175.8 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 63 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.1 miles or 2h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 31m
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 Fayette, 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 Fayette, MS
This is one driving day of about 288.2 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Fayette, 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 175.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.9 and 281.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
9.9 mi into trip|~13m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
4
10.2 mi into trip|~14m in|Natchez Trace Parkway
At end of road, turn right onto Natchez Trace Parkway
Navigation decision point
5
80.8 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward NTP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 34
Toward NTP
5
272.2 mi into trip|~5h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 East: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
5
281.4 mi into trip|~5h 21m 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
$43.53 one way
$87.05 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$47.78
$95.56
premium
$4.56
$51.73
$103.46
diesel
$5.61
$63.63
$127.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.5
1
$30.26
$13.83
Efficient EV
72.1
0
$25.22
$11.53
EV Truck/SUV
115.3
1
$40.35
$18.44
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Fayette, MS
Night
in Fayette on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Night
in Olive Branch on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Madison, MS
144 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
7 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
5h 33m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 87% of the 288.2 miles on major roads like I-55 and I-20. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch of highway at 175.8 miles on I-55. Surface roads, including Church Street, will appear as you approach your destination. Expect frequent exits and entrances along the interstate segments.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 175.8 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Church Street. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 9.9 miles in.
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 288.2 miles you will encounter 19 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 9.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 10.2 miles (Natchez Trace Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 80.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fayette, MS and Olive Branch, MS, road signs point toward Ntp and 55: Madison.
Ntp
80.8 mi in|~1h 38m
55: Madison
95.7 mi in|~2h
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 33m. Total distance: 288.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 175.8 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 9.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 10.2 miles (Natchez Trace Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 80.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 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.
