This 362.7-mile drive from Olive Branch, Mississippi, to Hurley, Mississippi, is a substantial undertaking, clocking in at just under 7 hours. It's primarily a highway-focused journey, with 98% of the route utilizing major highways like US 45 and US 78. Given the duration, it’s best suited as a dedicated travel day rather than a leisurely exploration. Budget around $55 for fuel. You'll remain within Mississippi for the entire trip, moving through the Southeast region without crossing state lines.
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
181.3 miles from Olive Branch, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 27m 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
36.1 mi
41m
MS 57
24.7 mi
28m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
Airport Boulevard
4.7 mi
7m
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 Hurley, 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
36 mi·41 min·MS 63
29
Turn left onto MS 614
4.7 mi·7 min·Airport Boulevard
30
Turn left onto MS 613
0.6 mi·59 sec·State Highway 613
31
Arrive at destination
MS 613
Trip Plan
To make the most of this nearly 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Olive Branch to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. While the route is predominantly highway, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, especially before tackling the longest 90.6-mile stretch on US 45. The $55 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always keep an eye on your gauge. Given the drive's length, breaking it up might be wise if you prefer a more relaxed pace, though it is manageable in a single day.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 181.3 miles from Olive Branch, MS, or about 3h 27m 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 80 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.3 miles or 3h 27m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hurley, 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 362.7 miles and 6h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 US 45 for about 90.6 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 296.6 — 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
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.75 one way
$111.49 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg127 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$61.66
$123.32
premium
$4.65
$66.36
$132.71
diesel
$5.35
$76.40
$152.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.8
1
$38.08
$17.41
Efficient EV
90.7
1
$31.74
$14.51
EV Truck/SUV
145.1
1
$50.78
$23.21
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Olive Branch, MS
Afternoon
in Olive Branch on Wednesday
Local time
2:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:37PM CDT until June 3 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:35PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Hurley, MS
Afternoon
in Hurley on Wednesday
Local time
2:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:37PM CDT until June 3 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:35PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
88°F
Stonewall, MS
181 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
3 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
6h 58m 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
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 87.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a consistent highway experience for the vast majority of this 362.7-mile trip. With 98% of the drive on major roads like US 45 and US Highway 45 Alternate, you'll find a steady pace. The longest stretch without a significant change in route is a 90.6-mile segment on US 45, indicating long, uninterrupted driving periods. This profile suggests a focus on efficient travel rather than varied scenery.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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?
7/10
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 early in the drive near MS 305 / Cockrum Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 362.7 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: near the start (MS 305 / Cockrum Road): Navigation decision point; 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 58m. Total distance: 362.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 58m 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 7 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 Hurley, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 305 / Cockrum Road): Navigation decision point; 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.
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 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hurley, MS before the return drive.
