If you are planning a trip from Pontotoc to Olive Branch, expect a straightforward journey spanning 77.8 miles. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 1 hour and 32 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Budgeting around $12 for fuel should be sufficient for the one-way transit through the Southeast. By utilizing MS 15, MS 30, and I-22, you will remain within Mississippi for the duration of the trip. This route is designed for efficiency, prioritizing direct highway travel to get you to your destination without unnecessary complications.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.9 miles from Pontotoc, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 22
55 mi
58m
MS 15
15.2 mi
22m
MS 30
4.7 mi
5m
Cockrum Road
1 mi
1m
West Oxford Street
0.7 mi
1m
Turnpike Road
0.4 mi
<1m
South Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Goodman Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 22
— 55 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pontotoc, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on East Marion Street
54 ft·3 sec·East Marion Street
2
Turn right onto MS 41
0.4 mi·43 sec·South Main Street
3
Turn left onto MS 9
0.7 mi·1 min·West Oxford Street
4
Turn right onto MS 336
0.4 mi·43 sec·Turnpike Road
5
Turn right onto MS 15
7.6 mi·12 min·MS 15
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on MS 15
0.1 mi·13 sec·MS 15
7
Continue on MS 15
7.5 mi·10 min·MS 15
8
Take the ramp onto MS 30
4.7 mi·5 min·MS 30
Toward I-22 West, US 78 West: MemphisUse the left lane.
9
Continue on I 22; US 78
55 mi·58 min·I 22; US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
274 ft·6 sec
12
Turn straight onto MS 305
1.0 mi·1 min·Cockrum Road
13
Turn right onto Goodman Road
260 ft·5 sec·Goodman Road
14
Arrive at destination
Goodman Road
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid local traffic. Given that there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily complete the entire 77.8-mile stretch in a single push without needing to plan for long breaks. Be sure to check your fuel levels before merging onto I-22, as the 55-mile highway segment is your longest stretch without a change in road type. Taking advantage of the quick travel time allows you to maximize your arrival window in Olive Branch. Keep a close eye on the transition points between MS 15, MS 30, and the interstate to ensure you stay on track during the initial leg of your journey.
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 38.9 miles from Pontotoc, MS, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55 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 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.9 miles or 49m 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 18m
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 Pontotoc, MS so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pontotoc, MS
This is one driving day of about 77.8 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Pontotoc, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 22 for about 55 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 77.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MS 41 / South Main Street
Turn right onto MS 41 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.5 mi into trip|~2m in|MS 15
Turn right onto MS 15
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
16.7 mi into trip|~25m in|MS 30
Take the ramp onto MS 30 toward I-22 West, US 78 West: Memphis
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I-22 West, US 78 West: Memphis
5
76.7 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
77.7 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|Goodman Road
Turn right onto Goodman Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.75 one way
$23.50 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$12.90
$25.80
premium
$4.56
$13.96
$27.93
diesel
$5.61
$17.18
$34.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.3
0
$8.17
$3.73
Efficient EV
19.5
0
$6.81
$3.11
EV Truck/SUV
31.1
0
$10.89
$4.98
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Pontotoc, MS
Late night
in Pontotoc on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Late night
in Olive Branch on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
New Albany, MS
39 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
1h 32m 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.
Tupelo National Battlefield
National Battlefield
In July, 1864, federal forces, including men from the United States Colored Troops, marched into Tupelo, Mississippi. Disorganized Confederate soldiers fought fiercely but could not overpower the fede...
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail is five sections of hiking trail running roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road. The foot trails total more than 60 miles...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive is defined by its speed and directness, with 97% of the route consisting of highway miles. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-22, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 55 miles. The transition from local state roads like MS 15 and MS 30 onto the interstate creates a shift in pace, moving you from regional road travel to a faster, more consistent highway experience. Behind the wheel, the drive feels utilitarian and focused, offering a smooth path that minimizes the need for technical maneuvering or frequent navigation changes.
97% 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: 55 mi on I 22.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 22 and MS 15. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 41 / South Main Street.
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 77.8 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (MS 41 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (MS 15): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.7 miles (MS 30): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 77.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55 miles on I 22. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 41 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (MS 15): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.7 miles (MS 30): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Tupelo National Battlefield and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. 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 Olive Branch, MS before heading back.
