Olive Branch to Laurel is 284.9 miles and takes about 5h 24m via US 78, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. You'll spend almost all your time on major highways, making for a straightforward trip. Given the relatively short duration and highway focus, this route is ideal for a single-day transit, getting you to your destination efficiently.
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
142.5 miles from Olive Branch, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
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
I 59
51.2 mi
54m
US 45
18 mi
21m
I 20
8.1 mi
9m
US 45 ALT
7.2 mi
8m
Cockrum Road
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 78
— 81.6 mi, about 1h 27m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,811 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,170
Quietest
2 AM
~214 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Olive Branch, MS and Laurel, 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
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
16
Merge onto I 20; I 59
6.3 mi·7 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi·2 min·I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59
51 mi·54 min·I 59
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New OrleansUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward US 84 East: Waynesboro, Chantilly StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
221 ft·6 sec
21
Turn straight onto Chantilly Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·Chantilly Street
22
At end of road, turn left onto US 11
0.2 mi·17 sec·Cross Street
23
Continue on US 11
0.2 mi·26 sec·Teresa Street
24
Turn left onto North Magnolia Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·North Magnolia Street
25
Turn left onto North Magnolia Street
264 ft·13 sec·North Magnolia Street
26
Turn right onto Yates Avenue
412 ft·18 sec·Yates Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Yates Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total driving time of about 5 hours and 24 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving Olive Branch in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, should get you to Laurel with plenty of daylight to spare. The route is primarily highway, so plan for efficient travel. You'll have one recommended stop, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch between services on US 78 is 81.6 miles.
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 142.5 miles from Olive Branch, MS, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.6 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 63 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.5 miles or 2h 42m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laurel, 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 284.9 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 78 for about 81.6 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 283.9 — 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.
5
224.1 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
8
232.7 mi into trip|~4h 27m in|I 59
Keep slight left at fork onto I 59 toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
7
283.9 mi into trip|~5h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 84 East: Waynesboro, Chantilly Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 84 East: Waynesboro, Chantilly Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.35 one way
$88.70 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$48.89
$97.79
premium
$4.71
$52.84
$105.68
diesel
$6.18
$69.31
$138.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.5
1
$29.91
$13.68
Efficient EV
71.2
0
$24.93
$11.40
EV Truck/SUV
114
1
$39.89
$18.23
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Olive Branch, MS
Morning
in Olive Branch on Monday
Local time
6:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
ENE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Laurel, MS
Morning
in Laurel on Monday
Local time
6:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Clear
NE 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
5 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
5h 24m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 78.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 99% of the 284.9 miles on major roads like US 78. You'll encounter your longest unbroken stretch of highway on US 78, covering 81.6 miles. The route transitions from US 78 to US Highway 45 Alternate, and then US Highway 45 Alternate, meaning you'll be navigating highway cruising for the vast majority of the trip. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal surface road transitions.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.6 mi on US 78.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 78 and US Highway 45 Aiternate. 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 14 significant decision points across 284.9 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 224.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
494 ft204 ft
Total Climb
454 ft
Total Descent
574 ft
Highest Point
494 ft
~20.4 mi in
Elevation Range
289 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 Olive Branch, MS to Laurel, MS, road signs begin pointing toward New Orleans along the way.
Laurel is a small city in the inland area of the Gulf Coast region of Mississippi. It's best known in American culture as the home base of husband-and-wife home renovation team Ben and Erin Napier, stars of the HGTV series Home Town.
Top landmarks
•Laurel station — Amtrak station in downtown Laurel, Mississippi
•Laurel Central Historic District — historic district in Laurel, Mississippi
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 284.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m 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 81.6 miles on US 78. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 Laurel, 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 13 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 224.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Laurel, MS before the return drive.
