Pelahatchie to Olive Branch is 226.7 miles and takes about 4h 12m via I-55, I-20, and I-269, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Mississippi, traversing the Southeast region. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive. Expect a consistent experience for most of the trip, making it a good option for a single-day transit.
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
113.4 miles from Pelahatchie, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
186.4 mi
3h 21m
I 20
21.5 mi
23m
I 269
8.7 mi
9m
MS 305
6.4 mi
11m
MS 43
0.9 mi
1m
2nd Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Goodman Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Go Forth Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 186.4 mi, about 3h 21m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 114 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 Pelahatchie, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on Go Forth Street
127 ft·10 sec·Go Forth Street
2
Turn left onto US 80
0.4 mi·39 sec·2nd Street
3
Turn left onto MS 43
0.9 mi·1 min·MS 43
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
5
Merge onto I 20
21 mi·23 min·I 20
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 55 North: North Jackson, GrenadaUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 55
186 mi·3 hr 21 min·I 55
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 69 South: Tunica
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
10
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
8.7 mi·9 min·I 269; MS 304
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg
12
Turn left onto MS 305
6.4 mi·11 min·MS 305
13
Turn right onto Goodman Road
260 ft·5 sec·Goodman Road
14
Arrive at destination
Goodman Road
Trip Plan
For this 4h 12m drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach your destination. With a longest stretch of 186.4 miles on I-55, you might consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $33. Since this is a single-day trip with only one main highway, you have flexibility in your timing, but avoid peak rush hours in larger towns if possible.
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 113.4 miles from Pelahatchie, MS, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.4 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 50 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.4 miles or 2h 4m 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 22m
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 Pelahatchie, 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 Pelahatchie, MS
This is one driving day of about 226.7 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Pelahatchie, 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 186.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 219.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|MS 43
Turn left onto MS 43
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
23.2 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: North Jackson, Grenada
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 55 North: North Jackson, Grenada
4
210.4 mi into trip|~3h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 69 South: Tunica
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 69 South: Tunica
5
210.7 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 East: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
5
219.9 mi into trip|~4h 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
$31.47 one way
$62.94 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$35.21
$70.42
premium
$4.29
$38.28
$76.56
diesel
$4.80
$42.81
$85.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68
0
$23.80
$10.88
Efficient EV
56.7
0
$19.84
$9.07
EV Truck/SUV
90.7
1
$31.74
$14.51
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Pelahatchie, MS
Morning
in Pelahatchie on Tuesday
Local time
6:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Morning
in Olive Branch on Tuesday
Local time
6:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
W 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:23PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
96°F
Winona, MS
113 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
4h 12m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 31.3
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 156.4
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 99% of this 226.7-mile drive. The bulk of your travel, 186.4 miles, will be on I-55. Expect a dense number of exits as you pass through various towns and cities along the corridor. The transition to surface roads will only occur for a very short segment at the end of your trip.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 20. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near MS 43.
Driving Effort5/10
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 226.7 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 0.4 miles (MS 43): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
433 ft218 ft
Total Climb
430 ft
Total Descent
402 ft
Highest Point
433 ft
~113.4 mi in
Elevation Range
214 ft
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 Pelahatchie, MS to Olive Branch, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Grenada along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 226.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.4 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (MS 43): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Olive Branch, MS, but most travelers stay overnight.
