Olive Branch to Pearlington is 371.8 miles and takes about 7h 9m via I 55 and Highway 49 South, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within Mississippi, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a mostly highway experience for most of your drive, making it a straightforward trek. With just two planned stops, this route is well-suited for a single-day adventure if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a solid day of driving to get you from the northern part of the state down to the coast.
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
185.9 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
I 55
186.1 mi
3h 21m
Highway 49 South
80.3 mi
1h 37m
Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
66.4 mi
1h 11m
I 269
9.2 mi
9m
Shuttle Parkway
6.8 mi
12m
Cockrum Road
6.2 mi
11m
State Highway 607
5.7 mi
6m
MS 604
4.6 mi
8m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Pearlington, 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 right at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
10
Merge onto US 49
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Highway 49 South
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 49; MS 42
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 49; MS 42
1.1 mi·1 min·US 49; MS 42
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf CoastUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 59
66 mi·1 hr 11 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 11, MS 607: NASA John C. Stennis Space Center
16
Keep slight left at fork
75 ft·5 sec
17
Turn left onto US 11
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 11
18
Continue on State Highway 607
5.7 mi·6 min·State Highway 607
19
Continue on Shuttle Parkway
6.8 mi·12 min·Shuttle Parkway
20
Continue on MS 607
1.4 mi·2 min·MS 607
21
Turn right onto MS 604
4.6 mi·8 min·MS 604
22
Arrive at destination
MS 604
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour drive time, starting early in the morning is your best bet to complete this trip comfortably in one day. You have a fuel cost estimate of $59, so be sure to factor that into your budget. With only two recommended stops, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. The longest stretch is over 186 miles, so plan a break before or during that segment. Pay attention to the transition from I 55 to Highway 49 South, as this is where the driving environment will likely change.
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 185.9 miles from Olive Branch, MS, or about 3h 27m 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 82 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.9 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pearlington, 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 371.8 miles and 7h 9m.
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 I 55 for about 186.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.1 and 286.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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|US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49 toward Richland, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Richland, Hattiesburg
7
286.4 mi into trip|~5h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
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 I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
6
286.8 mi into trip|~5h 28m in|I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 59 / Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Mississippi Gulf Coast
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.15 one way
$114.29 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$63.21
$126.41
premium
$4.65
$68.02
$136.04
diesel
$5.35
$78.31
$156.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.5
1
$39.04
$17.85
Efficient EV
93
1
$32.53
$14.87
EV Truck/SUV
148.7
1
$52.05
$23.80
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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Olive Branch, MS
Afternoon
in Olive Branch on Wednesday
Local time
3:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
ESE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pearlington, MS
Afternoon
in Pearlington on Wednesday
Local time
3:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
E 15 mph64% chanceLive forecast
72°F
New Haven, 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
2 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
7h 9m 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 205.1
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 76.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 80% of this 371.8-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 186.1 miles on I 55, which means you'll have long segments of consistent cruising. After that, expect a shift to surface roads as you approach your destination. Keep an eye out for the increased number of exits and potential for merging traffic as you transition from the interstate.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Highway 49 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.1 miles in.
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 15 significant decision points across 371.8 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 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 203 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 203.9 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
443 ft9 ft
Total Climb
416 ft
Total Descent
791 ft
Highest Point
443 ft
~239 mi in
Elevation Range
434 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Olive Branch, MS and Pearlington, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast and Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Hattiesburg
203 mi in|~3h 45m
Richland
203.9 mi in|~3h 46m|via US 49
Gulf Coast
286.4 mi in|~5h 28m
Mississippi Gulf Coast
286.8 mi in|~5h 28m|via I 59
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 9m. Total distance: 371.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 22 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 Pearlington, 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 203 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 203.9 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 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 Pearlington, MS before the return drive.
