This 287.3-mile drive from Magnolia to Olive Branch, Mississippi, is a straightforward highway journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 17 minutes. The route is predominantly on interstates, making it a fast and efficient trip, with 99% of the drive on highways. You'll spend most of your time on I-55, with shorter segments on I-269 and MS 305. With an estimated fuel cost of $43, this trip is budget-friendly. Since both your origin and destination are in the Southeast region, you'll experience a consistent feel throughout your drive.
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
143.6 miles from Magnolia, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
269.6 mi
4h 51m
I 269
8.7 mi
9m
MS 305
6.4 mi
11m
East Bay Street
1.2 mi
2m
Goodman Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
West Railroad Avenue North
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 269.6 mi, about 4h 51m
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 Magnolia, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on West Railroad Avenue North
79 ft·9 sec·West Railroad Avenue North
2
Turn left onto MS 48
1.2 mi·2 min·East Bay Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
4
Merge onto I 55
81 mi·1 hr 26 min·I 55
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
2.1 mi·2 min·I 55
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
187 mi·3 hr 22 min·I 55
Toward Grenada, Memphis
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 69 South: Tunica
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
9
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
8.7 mi·9 min·I 269; MS 304
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg
11
Turn left onto MS 305
6.4 mi·11 min·MS 305
12
Turn right onto Goodman Road
260 ft·5 sec·Goodman Road
13
Arrive at destination
Goodman Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 17 minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Consider an early morning departure from Magnolia to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach the Olive Branch area. With only one recommended stop and a highway share of 99%, you might want to plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically, perhaps midway through the longest stretch on I-55. The estimated fuel cost of $43 means you can easily budget for this drive, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially during those longer interstate segments.
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 143.6 miles from Magnolia, MS, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 269.6 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 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.6 miles or 2h 36m 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 15m
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 Magnolia, 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 Magnolia, MS
This is one driving day of about 287.3 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Magnolia, 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 269.6 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 0 and 280.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MS 48 / East Bay Street
Turn left onto MS 48 / East Bay Street
Navigation decision point
4
82 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
84.1 mi into trip|~1h 31m 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
271.3 mi into trip|~4h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 East: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
5
280.5 mi into trip|~5h 5m 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
$39.88 one way
$79.77 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$44.62
$89.24
premium
$4.29
$48.51
$97.03
diesel
$4.80
$54.25
$108.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.2
1
$30.17
$13.79
Efficient EV
71.8
0
$25.14
$11.49
EV Truck/SUV
114.9
1
$40.22
$18.39
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Magnolia, MS
Late night
in Magnolia on Sunday
Local time
4:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
W 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Late night
in Olive Branch on Sunday
Local time
4:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 0 to 10 mph5% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 17m 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...
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 217.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for nearly the entire 287.3 miles. The vast majority of your travel will be on I-55, which forms the backbone of this route. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 269.6 miles on I-55, meaning long stretches of consistent driving are to be expected. While I-269 and MS 305 will offer slight variations, the overall character remains that of a fast-paced, efficient drive, allowing you to cover ground quickly. This profile is ideal if your priority is reaching your destination with minimal fuss.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 269.6 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 48 / East Bay 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 287.3 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: near the start (MS 48 / East Bay Street): Navigation decision point; at 82 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 84.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
453 ft240 ft
Total Climb
493 ft
Total Descent
416 ft
Highest Point
453 ft
~20.5 mi in
Elevation Range
213 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Magnolia, MS and Olive Branch, MS, road signs point toward Grenada and Memphis.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 17m. Total distance: 287.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 17m 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 269.6 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.
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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 48 / East Bay Street): Navigation decision point; at 82 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 84.1 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 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.
