If you are planning to travel from Oxford to Olive Branch, you are looking at a 300.3-mile journey that takes approximately 5 hours and 54 minutes to complete. Because this route is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $46 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast Mississippi locations. While the drive is efficient, it is best suited for those who prefer interstate travel over backroads. Since the route stays entirely within the state of Mississippi, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the transition from Oxford to the Olive Branch area.
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
150.1 miles from Oxford, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
242.2 mi
4h 21m
US 84
22.9 mi
26m
I 269
8.7 mi
9m
Gloster Road
6.5 mi
15m
MS 305
6.4 mi
11m
Oxford-Meadville Road
6.3 mi
15m
Yap 3 Road
2.6 mi
6m
United States Highway 98
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 242.2 mi, about 4h 21m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 67 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,273 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~139 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.4×
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 Oxford, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on Oxford-Meadville Road
6.3 mi·15 min·Oxford-Meadville Road
2
Continue on Gloster Road
2.8 mi·6 min·Gloster Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto Gloster Road
3.8 mi·9 min·Gloster Road
4
Continue on Yap 3 Road
2.6 mi·6 min·Yap 3 Road
5
Turn left onto US 98
1.8 mi·2 min·United States Highway 98
6
Turn right onto MS 184
1.4 mi·2 min·Old US Hwy 84
7
Turn right onto US 84
23 mi·26 min·US 84
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
9
Merge onto I 55
53 mi·57 min·I 55
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
2.1 mi·2 min·I 55
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
187 mi·3 hr 22 min·I 55
Toward Grenada, Memphis
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 69 South: Tunica
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
14
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
8.7 mi·9 min·I 269; MS 304
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg
16
Turn left onto MS 305
6.4 mi·11 min·MS 305
17
Turn right onto Goodman Road
260 ft·5 sec·Goodman Road
18
Arrive at destination
Goodman Road
Trip Plan
Given the nearly six-hour duration, try to leave early in the morning to avoid fatigue and maximize your daylight hours. Since the itinerary includes only one planned stop, you have plenty of flexibility to decide when to stretch your legs during the long 242.2-mile segment on I-55. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting that primary interstate leg to ensure you aren't forced to exit unnecessarily. Because you are mostly on major thoroughfares, traffic flow will be your biggest variable, so checking for construction or congestion on I-55 before you depart is a smart move. Use the $46 fuel estimate as a baseline, but keep a little extra set aside for potential price fluctuations at different stations along the way.
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 150.1 miles from Oxford, MS, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 242.2 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 66 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.1 miles or 3h 6m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Olive Branch, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oxford, 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 Oxford, MS
This is one driving day of about 300.3 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Oxford, 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 242.2 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 9.1 and 293.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
9.1 mi into trip|~21m in|Gloster Road
At end of road, turn left onto Gloster Road
Navigation decision point
4
95 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
97.1 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward Grenada, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Grenada, Memphis
5
284.3 mi into trip|~5h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 East: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
5
293.5 mi into trip|~5h 42m in
Take the exit toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewi...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.69 one way
$83.37 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$46.64
$93.28
premium
$4.29
$50.71
$101.42
diesel
$4.80
$56.70
$113.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.1
1
$31.53
$14.41
Efficient EV
75.1
0
$26.28
$12.01
EV Truck/SUV
120.1
1
$42.04
$19.22
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Oxford, MS
Late night
in Oxford on Sunday
Local time
2:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
W 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Late night
in Olive Branch on Sunday
Local time
2:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
W 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
93°F
Madison, MS
150 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
1 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
5h 54m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 103.5
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 227.8
Discover the history of all the peoples of Natchez, Mississippi, from European settlement, African enslavement, the American cotton economy, to the Civil Rights struggle on the lower Mississippi River...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 10.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 94% of your journey takes place on highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on the interstate, with a significant 242.2-mile stretch on I-55 serving as the primary corridor. After navigating that long section, the route transitions into a mix of US-84 and I-269 to finalize your arrival. The road's personality is defined by its efficiency rather than technical curves, making it a functional, no-nonsense drive. You should be prepared for a consistent pace that favors steady highway cruising over varied terrain.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 242.2 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.1 miles in near Gloster Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 300.3 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 9.1 miles (Gloster Road): Navigation decision point; at 95 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 97.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
484 ft254 ft
Total Climb
606 ft
Total Descent
651 ft
Highest Point
484 ft
~42.9 mi in
Elevation Range
229 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Oxford, MS and Olive Branch, MS, road signs point toward Grenada and Memphis.
Grenada
97.1 mi in|~2h 8m|via I 55
Memphis
97.1 mi in|~2h 8m|via I 55
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Oxford is a historic, picturesque town in North Central Mississippi. With its scenic town square, acclaimed restaurants, unique boutiques, oak-shaded neighborhoods, and friendly people, Oxford is the model Southern town. Named after Oxford, England, in hopes of attracting a university, the town was selected as the home of the University of Mississippi in 1848, which dominates life here today.
Top landmarks
•Rowan Oak — William Faulkner's former home in Oxford, Mississippi
•Barnard Observatory — observatory at the University of Mississippi, USA
•Lyceum-The Circle Historic District — collection of historic buildings at the University of Mississippi in Oxford (USA...
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 54m. Total distance: 300.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 242.2 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 Olive Branch, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.1 miles (Gloster Road): Navigation decision point; at 95 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 97.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument and Natchez National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Olive Branch, MS before the return drive.
