This straightforward 171-mile drive from Olive Branch, MS to Carthage, MS is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 82% of the journey on interstates and major roads like I-55 and MS 35. With an estimated fuel cost of $26, this trip is budget-friendly. This drive is a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to travel within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to the same region. Its direct nature makes it ideal for a single day's travel, requiring just one planned stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
85.5 miles from Olive Branch, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
106.4 mi
1h 54m
MS 35
24.3 mi
36m
Veterans Memorial Drive
21.6 mi
32m
I 269
9.2 mi
9m
Cockrum Road
6.2 mi
11m
South Huntington Street
1.4 mi
2m
East Jefferson Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Goodman Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 106.4 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Olive Branch, MS and Carthage, MS.
1
Start on Goodman Road
260 ft·12 sec·Goodman Road
2
Turn left onto MS 305
6.2 mi·11 min·Cockrum Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Tunica
4
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
9.2 mi·9 min·I 269; MS 304
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 55 South: Jackson
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 55 South: Jackson
7
Merge onto I 55
106 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 55
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
9
Turn left onto MS 35; MS 430
24 mi·36 min·MS 35; MS 430
10
Turn left onto East Jefferson Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·East Jefferson Street
11
Turn right onto South Huntington Street
1.4 mi·2 min·South Huntington Street
12
Turn right onto MS 19; MS 35
22 mi·32 min·Veterans Memorial Drive
13
Arrive at destination
MS 35
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 3.5-hour duration and 171-mile distance, this route offers flexibility for departure times. Aiming to leave Olive Branch in the morning will allow ample time for your single stop and arrival in Carthage with daylight to spare. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 100 miles on I-55, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before heading out on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $26, and it's always wise to top off before longer 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 85.5 miles from Olive Branch, MS, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.4 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 38 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.5 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carthage, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Olive Branch, 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 Olive Branch, MS
This is one driving day of about 171 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Olive Branch, 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 106.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 123.6 — 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 305 / Cockrum Road
Turn left onto MS 305 / Cockrum Road
Navigation decision point
4
6.3 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the ramp toward Tunica
Navigation decision point
Toward Tunica
4
15.8 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Jackson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 55 South: Jackson
5
16.1 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South: Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 55 South: Jackson
4
123.6 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|MS 35; MS 430
Turn left onto MS 35; MS 430
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.83 one way
$51.65 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$28.35
$56.70
premium
$4.56
$30.69
$61.38
diesel
$5.61
$37.75
$75.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.3
0
$17.96
$8.21
Efficient EV
42.8
0
$14.96
$6.84
EV Truck/SUV
68.4
0
$23.94
$10.94
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Olive Branch, MS
Late night
in Olive Branch on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Carthage, MS
Late night
in Carthage on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Grenada, MS
86 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
19 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
3h 30m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 70.8
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 most of this 171-mile journey. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-55, which forms the backbone of the drive for a continuous 106.4 miles. After leaving the interstate, the route transitions to MS 35 and then Veterans Memorial Drive, offering a change of pace but still maintaining a predominantly highway feel. This profile suggests a drive characterized by steady progress and efficient travel, rather than winding scenic byways.
82% 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: 106.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and MS 35. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 305 / Cockrum Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 30m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 305 / Cockrum Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 15.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 171 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 106.4 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 305 / Cockrum Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 15.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Carthage, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
