Olive Branch, MS to Escatawpa, MS is 372.7 miles and takes about 7h 7m via US 45 and US 78, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, expect a straightforward drive focused on covering ground. It's a solid option if you need to get between these two points efficiently 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
186.4 miles from Olive Branch, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 45
90.6 mi
1h 45m
US 78
81.6 mi
1h 27m
US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 45 Alternate
54.7 mi
1h 6m
MS 63
50.4 mi
57m
MS 57
24.7 mi
28m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
Cockrum Road
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 45
— 90.6 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Olive Branch, MS and Escatawpa, MS.
1
Start on Goodman Road
260 ft·12 sec·Goodman Road
2
Turn left onto MS 305
1.2 mi·2 min·Cockrum Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
4
Merge onto US 78
82 mi·1 hr 27 min·US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward US 45:south: Tupelo
6
Merge onto US 45
14 mi·17 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
8
Continue on US 45 ALT
2.2 mi·2 min·US 45 ALT
9
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.5 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
10
Continue on US 45 ALT
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45 ALT
11
Continue on US 45 ALT
1.4 mi·1 min·US 45 ALT
12
Continue on US 45 ALT
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 45
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 45 Aiternate
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
19 mi·21 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 45
0.7 mi·46 sec·US 45
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 45
3.7 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 45
5.4 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 45
5.5 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 45
2.7 mi·3 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 45
1.7 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 45
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 45
9.8 mi·11 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 45
2.0 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 45
4.9 mi·5 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 45
17 mi·20 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 57
2.2 mi·2 min·MS 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on MS 57
23 mi·25 min·MS 57
Use the straight lane.
28
Continue on MS 63
50 mi·57 min·MS 63
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
30
Merge onto I 10
0.4 mi·24 sec·I 10
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward MS 613: Moss Point, Pascagoula
32
Keep slight right at fork
265 ft·6 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Olive Branch to avoid potential midday traffic. With only 2 recommended stops, you can choose to make one longer break or two shorter ones, depending on your preference. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 90.6-mile stretch on US 45, as services might be less frequent in some sections. The estimated fuel cost of $55 should give you a good baseline for budgeting.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 186.4 miles from Olive Branch, MS, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.6 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 82 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.4 miles or 3h 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 5h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Escatawpa, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Olive Branch, MS
This is one driving day of about 372.7 miles and 7h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Olive Branch, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 45 for about 90.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Early stretch
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
$10 to $20
Tupelo, Mississippi
Hours: 11 AM–9 PM
+16622604423
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 1.5 and 372.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.5 mi into trip|~2m in|US 78
Merge onto US 78
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
83.6 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|US 45
Merge onto US 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
220.2 mi into trip|~4h 12m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
296.6 mi into trip|~5h 40m in|MS 57
Keep slight right at fork onto MS 57
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
372.5 mi into trip|~7h 7m in
Take the exit toward MS 613: Moss Point, Pascagoula
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 613: Moss Point, Pascagoula
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.02 one way
$116.04 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$63.96
$127.92
premium
$4.71
$69.13
$138.25
diesel
$6.18
$90.67
$181.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.8
1
$39.13
$17.89
Efficient EV
93.2
1
$32.61
$14.91
EV Truck/SUV
149.1
1
$52.18
$23.85
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
44 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Olive Branch, MS
Late night
in Olive Branch on Monday
Local time
12:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
ENE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Escatawpa, MS
Late night
in Escatawpa on Monday
Local time
12:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Clear
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
49°F
Meridian, MS
186 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
7 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
7h 7m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Tupelo National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 77.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely on highways, with a 99% highway share. You'll spend most of your time on US 45 and US 78. The longest continuous stretch without a significant break is 90.6 miles on US 45. Expect a consistent flow of traffic and numerous exits as you traverse the state.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.6 mi on US 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 45 and US 78. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near US 78.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 372.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (US 78): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.6 miles (US 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 220.2 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 7m. Total distance: 372.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 7m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.6 miles on US 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Escatawpa, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (US 78): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.6 miles (US 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 220.2 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Tupelo National Battlefield and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Escatawpa, MS before the return drive.
