Spanning 369.3 miles across Mississippi, this journey takes you from the northern reaches of Olive Branch all the way down to the Gulf Coast in Waveland. You should budget about 7 hours and 16 minutes of drive time, making this a long but manageable trip that fits into a single day if you get an early start. With an estimated fuel cost of $56, it is a straightforward trek through the Southeast that transitions from the inland landscape toward the coast. While you could technically complete this in one go, consider your tolerance for long stretches behind the wheel before deciding if you need an overnight stop. The route utilizes a mix of local roads like Cockrum Road, a pass through Tunica, and the steady path of I-55 South. It is a practical route for travelers looking to traverse the state from top to bottom.
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
184.6 miles from Olive Branch, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 25m 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
40.1 mi
43m
MS 603
25 mi
37m
South Main Street
15.7 mi
23m
I 269
9.2 mi
9m
Cockrum Road
6.2 mi
11m
US 49
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 186.1 mi, about 3h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Olive Branch, MS and Waveland, 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
40 mi·43 min·Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Toward Mississippi Gulf CoastUse the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward MS 53: Poplarville, Necaise
16
Turn left onto MS 53
16 mi·23 min·South Main Street
17
Continue on MS 603
25 mi·37 min·MS 603
18
Continue on Nicholson Avenue
0.2 mi·34 sec·Nicholson Avenue
19
Turn right onto McLaurin Street
0.5 mi·1 min·McLaurin Street
20
Turn right onto Saint Anthony Street
82 ft·8 sec·Saint Anthony Street
21
Turn left onto Saint Joseph Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Saint Joseph Street
22
Turn left onto Coleman Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·Coleman Avenue
23
Turn right onto Central Avenue
397 ft·10 sec·Central Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Planning for this 7-hour and 16-minute drive requires a strategic approach to your stops, so aim to include at least two breaks to stay refreshed. Given the turn-heavy local sections early in the trip, departing in the early morning will help you navigate the more complex road segments during daylight hours. Keep your $56 fuel budget in mind as you plan your refueling strategy, especially since local roads may offer different gas station accessibility than the main interstate. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to pace your two stops based on how you feel as you move from the northern region toward the coast. For a smoother experience, pay close attention to your navigation when moving through the Tunica area to ensure you stay on track before hitting the main interstate corridor.
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 184.6 miles from Olive Branch, MS, or about 3h 25m 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 81 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.6 miles or 3h 25m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waveland, 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 369.3 miles and 7h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 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 18
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
$55.77 one way
$111.55 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$61.23
$122.45
premium
$4.56
$66.28
$132.57
diesel
$5.61
$81.54
$163.07
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: 129.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.8
1
$38.78
$17.73
Efficient EV
92.3
1
$32.31
$14.77
EV Truck/SUV
147.7
1
$51.70
$23.64
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Olive Branch, MS
Evening
in Olive Branch on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waveland, MS
Evening
in Waveland on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Newton, MS
185 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
13 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
7h 16m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 203.8
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
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 76.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this 369.3-mile journey. While you will eventually merge onto I-55 South, the initial segments rely on local navigation, including Cockrum Road and the area surrounding Tunica, which keeps the driving experience varied and hands-on. Because the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a more tactile driving experience that demands your full attention compared to a standard high-speed highway trek. The nature of the road shifts significantly as you head south, moving away from the local, winding paths and toward the more structured flow of the interstate. You will feel the transition in the road's personality as you navigate the different terrain types across the state.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
8/10
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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 369.3 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.
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 Waveland, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast and Necaise.
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
Necaise
326.9 mi in|~6h 11m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 16m. Total distance: 369.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 16m 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Waveland, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waveland, MS before the return drive.
