Origin
Olive Branch, MS
Morning in Olive Branch on Sunday
Local time
6:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Olive Branch, MS to Walnut Grove, MS
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 8m
Distance
97.6 mi
157 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 59m
★
6 AM
2h 8m
8 AM
2h 26m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Olive Branch, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Walnut Grove, MS
Zulfugar Karimov
Trip Overview
Olive Branch, MS to Walnut Grove, MS is 97.6 miles and takes about 2 hours 8 minutes via US 61 and I-269, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward drive through Mississippi's Southeast region keeps you primarily on well-maintained highways. Expect an efficient journey with minimal fuss, making it a practical choice for a quick trip. If you're looking for a simple, direct route between these two points, this is a solid option to consider.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.8 miles from Olive Branch, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 61 | 48.6 mi | 56m |
| I 69 | 10.6 mi | 11m |
| I 269 | 9.6 mi | 10m |
| Sherard Road | 7.5 mi | 13m |
| Cockrum Road | 6.2 mi | 11m |
| Mississippi Highway 1 | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| MS 161 | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| MS 304 | 2.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 61
— 48.6 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Olive Branch, MS and Walnut Grove, 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
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
I 269; MS 304
5
Continue on I 69; MS 304
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 69; MS 304
6
Keep slight left at fork onto MS 304
2.8 mi
·
2 min
·
MS 304
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 61 South: Tunica
8
Merge onto US 61
49 mi
·
56 min
·
US 61
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
10
Keep slight right at fork
279 ft
·
6 sec
11
Turn straight onto MS 6
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
MS 6
12
Turn left onto MS 161
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
MS 161
13
Turn right onto MS 322
7.5 mi
·
13 min
·
Sherard Road
14
Turn straight onto MS 1
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Mississippi Highway 1
15
Turn left onto Alligator - Rena Lara Road
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Alligator - Rena Lara Road
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 8 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow for any unexpected delays. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, you won't need to worry excessively about refueling, but it’s always wise to top off before you leave Olive Branch. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 48.6 miles on US 61, so plan your stops accordingly, perhaps for a quick stretch before or after this segment.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.8 miles from Olive Branch, MS, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.6 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 21 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.8 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Walnut Grove, 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 97.6 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Olive Branch, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 61 for about 48.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.8 miles from Olive Branch, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 79.3 — 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
4
26.8 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
MS 304
Keep slight left at fork onto MS 304
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
29.6 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 61 South: Tunica
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 61 South: Tunica
4
79.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.74 one way
$29.48 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $16.18 | $32.36 |
| premium | $4.56 | $17.52 | $35.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.55 | $43.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.68 |
| Efficient EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.54 | $3.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39 | 0 | $13.66 | $6.25 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Walnut Grove, MS
Morning in Walnut Grove on Sunday
Local time
6:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live 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
7 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
2h 8m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 80.8
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 offers a highway-focused drive with 83% of the journey on major roads like US 61, I-69, and I-269. You'll experience a significant stretch of 48.6 miles on US 61, providing a consistent pace. The drive is characterized by its efficiency, allowing for steady progress. While primarily highway, expect a smooth transition as you navigate between these key arteries, making for a predictable driving experience.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48.6 mi on US 61.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 61 and I 69. 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 Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 97.6 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 6.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 26.8 miles (MS 304): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Walnut Grove, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Tunica along the way.
Tunica
6.3 mi in
|
~11m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 97.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.6 miles on US 61. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Walnut Grove, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 305 / Cockrum Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 26.8 miles (MS 304): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Walnut Grove, MS before heading back.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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