Newton, MS to Olive Branch, MS is 218.3 miles and takes about 4h 38m via I 55 and MS 35, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, taking you from the Southeast region to its northern part. With 98% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward and efficient transit. This route is designed for a single day of driving, making it a convenient option for moving between these two points without needing an overnight stay.
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
109.2 miles from Newton, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
106.5 mi
1h 54m
North State Highway 35
47 mi
1h 9m
MS 35
22.4 mi
33m
I 20
11.4 mi
12m
I 269
8.7 mi
9m
MS 305
6.4 mi
11m
US 80
6.2 mi
9m
Highway 35 South
3.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 106.5 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,078 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,395
Quietest
2 AM
~98 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 103 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 Newton, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on South Main Street
187 ft·12 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn left onto West Church Street
1.4 mi·3 min·West Church Street
3
Continue on West Church Street
235 ft·6 sec·West Church Street
4
Turn straight onto US 80
6.2 mi·9 min·US 80
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
6
Merge onto I 20
11 mi·12 min·I 20
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward MS 35: Raleigh, Forest
8
Keep slight right at fork
360 ft·8 sec
Toward MS 35: Raleigh, Forest
9
Turn straight onto MS 35
3.1 mi·4 min·Highway 35 South
10
Continue on MS 35
47 mi·1 hr 9 min·North State Highway 35
11
Turn left onto MS 731
1.4 mi·2 min·MS 731
12
Turn left onto East Jefferson Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·East Jefferson Street
13
Turn right onto North Jackson Street
1.7 mi·3 min·North Jackson Street
14
Continue on MS 35
22 mi·33 min·MS 35
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
16
Merge onto I 55
106 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 55
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 69 South: Tunica
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
19
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
8.7 mi·9 min·I 269; MS 304
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg
21
Turn left onto MS 305
6.4 mi·11 min·MS 305
22
Turn right onto Goodman Road
260 ft·5 sec·Goodman Road
23
Arrive at destination
Goodman Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 38m drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your stops. The longest stretch of highway is over 100 miles, so plan for a fuel and stretch break before or during that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $31 budget suggests a need for at least one fill-up, especially considering the 218.3-mile distance.
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 109.2 miles from Newton, MS, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.5 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 48 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.2 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 50m
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 Newton, 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 Newton, MS
This is one driving day of about 218.3 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Newton, 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 106.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.2 and 211.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
19.2 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward MS 35: Raleigh, Forest
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 35: Raleigh, Forest
7
19.5 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MS 35: Raleigh, Forest
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 35: Raleigh, Forest
4
71 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|East Jefferson Street
Turn left onto East Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
5
202.3 mi into trip|~4h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 East: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
5
211.6 mi into trip|~4h 25m 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
$33.42 one way
$66.83 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$37.01
$74.02
premium
$4.65
$39.96
$79.91
diesel
$6.28
$53.94
$107.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.5
0
$22.92
$10.48
Efficient EV
54.6
0
$19.10
$8.73
EV Truck/SUV
87.3
1
$30.56
$13.97
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Newton, MS
Morning
in Newton on Friday
Local time
6:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Clear
ENE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Morning
in Olive Branch on Friday
Local time
6:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Clear
ESE 5 mph0% 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
2 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
4h 38m 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.
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 150.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend almost all of your time on high-speed roads, as 98% of this route is highway driving. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 106.5 miles, all on I 55. You'll transition from I 55 to North State Highway 35 and then MS 35, indicating a shift from major interstate to state highway cruising. Expect frequent exits and entrances as you navigate the interstate portion.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North State Highway 35. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 19.2 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 218.3 miles you will encounter 16 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 19.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71 miles (East Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
466 ft251 ft
Total Climb
363 ft
Total Descent
403 ft
Highest Point
466 ft
~62.1 mi in
Elevation Range
215 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Newton, MS to Olive Branch, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Forest along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 218.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.5 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: at 19.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71 miles (East Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Olive Branch, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
