Spanning 280.7 miles across Mississippi, this drive from McComb to Olive Branch takes approximately 5 hours and 11 minutes to complete. It is a straightforward, highway-focused route that is entirely manageable as a single-day trip, making it an efficient way to traverse the state from south to north. You should budget roughly $43 for fuel to cover the distance. Since both your start and end points are located within the Southeast region, you will remain within the same cultural and geographic landscape throughout the journey. Whether you are traveling for business or visiting family, this direct path offers a predictable travel time that helps you plan your day with confidence.
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
140.4 miles from McComb, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
261.7 mi
4h 42m
I 269
8.7 mi
9m
MS 305
6.4 mi
11m
Smithdale Road
0.5 mi
1m
Jackson Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Northwest Street
0.4 mi
<1m
North Broadway Street
0.4 mi
<1m
West Georgia Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 261.7 mi, about 4h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McComb, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on Main Street
327 ft·19 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto North Front Street
478 ft·28 sec·North Front Street
3
Turn left onto State Street
473 ft·13 sec·State Street
4
Turn right onto US 51
0.4 mi·40 sec·North Broadway Street
5
Turn left onto US 51
0.3 mi·31 sec·West Georgia Avenue
6
Continue on US 51
0.4 mi·35 sec·Jackson Avenue
7
Continue on US 51
0.3 mi·29 sec·Mississippi Street
8
Continue on US 51
0.4 mi·36 sec·Northwest Street
9
Turn left onto MS 570
0.5 mi·1 min·Smithdale Road
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
11
Merge onto I 55; US 98
73 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 55; US 98
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
2.1 mi·2 min·I 55
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
187 mi·3 hr 22 min·I 55
Toward Grenada, Memphis
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 69 South: Tunica
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
16
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
8.7 mi·9 min·I 269; MS 304
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg
18
Turn left onto MS 305
6.4 mi·11 min·MS 305
19
Turn right onto Goodman Road
260 ft·5 sec·Goodman Road
20
Arrive at destination
Goodman Road
Trip Plan
With a total travel time of just over five hours, you have the flexibility to complete this drive in one go, but planning for at least one dedicated stop will keep you refreshed behind the wheel. Given the reliance on I-55, try to avoid peak rush hours near larger urban centers to maintain your momentum. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the 261.7-mile stretch on the interstate to ensure you don't run low between major exits. Since you have only one planned stop, use it as an opportunity to stretch your legs and reset before the final push toward Olive Branch. Checking your tire pressure before you depart McComb is a smart, route-specific tip that helps ensure a trouble-free journey on the high-speed highway sections.
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 140.4 miles from McComb, MS, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 261.7 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 62 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.4 miles or 2h 33m 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 11m
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 McComb, 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 McComb, MS
This is one driving day of about 280.7 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from McComb, 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 261.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 273.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|North Front Street
Turn left onto North Front Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Navigation decision point
6
77.6 mi into trip|~1h 26m 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
264.7 mi into trip|~4h 48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 East: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
5
273.9 mi into trip|~4h 59m 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
$42.39 one way
$84.78 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$46.54
$93.07
premium
$4.56
$50.38
$100.76
diesel
$5.61
$61.98
$123.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.2
1
$29.47
$13.47
Efficient EV
70.2
0
$24.56
$11.23
EV Truck/SUV
112.3
1
$39.30
$17.96
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 20, 2026
Origin
McComb, MS
Morning
in McComb on Tuesday
Local time
9:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Morning
in Olive Branch on Tuesday
Local time
9:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
7 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
5h 11m 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 77.4
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 213
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 99% of this trip is spent on highways. The vast majority of your time—specifically 261.7 miles—will be spent on I-55, which serves as the backbone of your journey. You will eventually transition onto I-269 and MS-305 to reach your final destination in Olive Branch. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the road personality is defined by consistent, fast-paced travel rather than technical turns or winding backroads. Prepare for a steady, focused drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over scenic detours.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 261.7 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 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Front 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 280.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.1 miles (North Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (State Street): Navigation decision point; at 77.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between McComb, MS and Olive Branch, MS, road signs point toward Grenada and Memphis.
McComb is a small city in the southwest corner of Mississippi off I-55, 81 miles south of Jackson and 108 miles north of New Orleans. It is about 15 miles from the Louisiana State Line. It was chartered in 1872, and is considered the hub of Pike County. It was the home of the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad yards and the largest city in the county. The main line of the Illinois Central (now the Canadian National Railway) passes through the city in a direct route from New Orleans to Chicago. McComb has a history of a stable economic base with the railroad shops having had a 70-year association with the area.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 280.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m 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 261.7 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 0.1 miles (North Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (State Street): Navigation decision point; at 77.6 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 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.
