Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Monticello, MS to Olive Branch, MS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 5m
Distance
263.8 mi
425 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 52m
★
6 AM
5h 5m
8 AM
5h 32m
10 AM
5h 14m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monticello, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Olive Branch, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Monticello, MS to Olive Branch, MS is 263.8 miles and takes about 5h 5m via I 55 and I 269, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Mississippi, connecting two points in the Southeast region. With almost all of your travel on highways, expect a straightforward drive focused on covering ground efficiently. It's a solid option for a single-day trip if you're looking to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
131.9 miles from Monticello, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 208.6 mi | 3h 46m |
| MS 27 | 37.3 mi | 51m |
| I 269 | 8.7 mi | 9m |
| MS 305 | 6.4 mi | 11m |
| East Broad Street | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Goodman Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 208.6 mi, about 3h 46m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 63 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,439 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~144 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Monticello, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on MS 184
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
East Broad Street
2
Turn right onto MS 27
35 mi
·
47 min
·
MS 27
3
Enter roundabout onto MS 27
160 ft
·
2 sec
·
MS 27
4
Continue on MS 27
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
MS 27
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North
6
Merge onto I 55; US 51
20 mi
·
21 min
·
I 55; US 51
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 55
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
187 mi
·
3 hr 22 min
·
I 55
Toward Grenada, Memphis
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 69 South: Tunica
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
11
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
8.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 269; MS 304
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg
13
Turn left onto MS 305
6.4 mi
·
11 min
·
MS 305
14
Turn right onto Goodman Road
260 ft
·
5 sec
·
Goodman Road
15
Arrive at destination
Goodman Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of flexibility. You only have one recommended stop, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, especially considering the 208.6-mile stretch on I 55. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of that long highway segment. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the advantage of not needing to book overnight accommodations.
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 131.9 miles from Monticello, MS, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 208.6 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 58 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.9 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 7m
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 Monticello, 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 Monticello, MS
This is one driving day of about 263.8 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Monticello, 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 208.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 131.9 miles from Monticello, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 208.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Doughboys
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.8 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 36 and 257.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
36 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
MS 27
Enter roundabout onto MS 27
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
38.6 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the ramp toward I 55 North, US 51 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, US 51 North
6
60.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m 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
247.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 East: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
5
257.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m 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
$36.62 one way
$73.24 round trip
$3.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.95 | $40.97 | $81.94 |
| premium | $4.29 | $44.54 | $89.09 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $49.81 | $99.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.1 | 0 | $27.70 | $12.66 |
| Efficient EV | 66 | 0 | $23.08 | $10.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.5 | 1 | $36.93 | $16.88 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Monticello, MS
Morning in Monticello on Sunday
Local time
10:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Morning in Olive Branch on Sunday
Local time
10:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
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 5m 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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 63.7
View on nps.gov
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 191.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is nearly all highway, with a 99% highway share. You'll be on I 55 for the longest continuous stretch, covering 208.6 miles. The transition to MS 27 and I 269 marks the end of the primary highway cruising. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic as you navigate between these major arteries.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 208.6 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and MS 27. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 36 miles in near MS 27.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 263.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 36 miles (MS 27): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 38.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
466 ft
198 ft
Total Climb
693 ft
Total Descent
506 ft
Highest Point
466 ft
~150.8 mi in
Elevation Range
268 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Monticello, MS and Olive Branch, MS, road signs point toward Grenada and Memphis.
Grenada
60.7 mi in
|
~1h 19m
|
via I 55
Memphis
60.7 mi in
|
~1h 19m
|
via I 55
About the Cities
Starting in Monticello, MS
Full guide →Monticello is a town of 1,500 people (2019) on the Pearl River in Lawrence County, south Mississippi. Monticello is home to several beautiful historic buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
Top landmarks
- • Lawrence County Courthouse — courthouse in Lawrence County, Mississippi
Arriving in Olive Branch, MS
Full guide →Olive Branch is a city in the Mississippi Hills. It is a suburb of Memphis, just to the south of the Tennessee state line.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 263.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m 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 208.6 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 36 miles (MS 27): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 38.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.7 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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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