Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Olive Branch, MS to Pearl, MS
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 51m
Distance
207 mi
333 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 39m
★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 17m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 58m
3 PM
4h 2m
5 PM
4h 16m
8 PM
3h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Olive Branch, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Pearl, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Olive Branch to Pearl is 207 miles and takes about 3h 51m via I 55, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, connecting the Southeast region from its northern edge down towards the capital area. You'll be on highways for the vast majority of the drive, making it a straightforward path. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without needing an overnight 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
103.5 miles from Olive Branch, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 186.1 mi | 3h 21m |
| I 269 | 9.2 mi | 9m |
| Cockrum Road | 6.2 mi | 11m |
| I 20 | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| South Pearson Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Old Brandon Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Goodman Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Old Country Club Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 186.1 mi, about 3h 21m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 57 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,443 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~141 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Pearl, 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
186 mi
·
3 hr 21 min
·
I 55
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 20 East: Flowood, Meridian
10
Merge onto I 20
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 20
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward MS 468: Pearl
12
Turn left onto MS 468
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Pearson Road
13
Turn straight
290 ft
·
12 sec
14
Turn slight right onto Old Brandon Road
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Old Brandon Road
15
Turn right onto Pine Park Drive
76 ft
·
7 sec
·
Pine Park Drive
16
Turn left onto Old Country Club Road
79 ft
·
2 sec
·
Old Country Club Road
17
Arrive at destination
Old Country Club Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 51m driving time, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach Pearl before evening. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel you need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 186.1-mile stretch on I 55 where services might be less frequent than in urban areas. The $33 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you depart. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your departure time.
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 103.5 miles from Olive Branch, MS, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.1 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 46 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.5 miles or 1h 57m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pearl, 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 207 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 186.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 103.5 miles from Olive Branch, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Doughboys
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 203.9 — 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
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
5
203 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattie...
6
203.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Flowood, Meridian
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East: Flowood, Meridian
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.74 one way
$57.47 round trip
$3.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.95 | $32.15 | $64.30 |
| premium | $4.29 | $34.95 | $69.91 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $39.09 | $78.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.1 | 0 | $21.74 | $9.94 |
| Efficient EV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.11 | $8.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.8 | 1 | $28.98 | $13.25 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Olive Branch, MS
Late night in Olive Branch on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
SW 0 to 5 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Pearl, MS
Late night in Pearl on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
93°F
Grenada, MS
104 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 51m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
National Monument
Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant le...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 199.9
View on nps.gov
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 71.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 95% highway, so expect a lot of time on the interstate. You'll encounter a long stretch of 186.1 miles on I 55 without needing to exit. The transition to surface roads happens late in the trip, around the final 21 miles. Be prepared for a significant amount of merging traffic as you approach the Jackson metropolitan area.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.1 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 269. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 305 / Cockrum Road.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 207 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (MS 305 / Cockrum Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
396 ft
196 ft
Total Climb
432 ft
Total Descent
540 ft
Highest Point
396 ft
~118.3 mi in
Elevation Range
200 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Olive Branch, MS
Full guide →Olive Branch is a city in the Mississippi Hills. It is a suburb of Memphis, just to the south of the Tennessee state line.
Arriving in Pearl, MS
Full guide →Founded 1865
Pearl is a city in Rankin County, Mississippi, sitting on the east side of the Pearl River from the state capital, Jackson. The population was 26,000 in 2018.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 51m. Total distance: 207 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.1 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Pearl, 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 14 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 6.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument and Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Pearl, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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