Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 39m
Distance
243.4 mi
392 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sardis, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Olive Branch, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Sardis, MS to Olive Branch, MS is 243.4 miles and takes about 4h 39m via I 55 and I 269, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, primarily traversing Mississippi. It's a predominantly highway-focused journey, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace.
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
121.7 miles from Sardis, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 218.9 mi | 3h 56m |
| I 269 | 8.7 mi | 9m |
| MS 305 | 6.4 mi | 11m |
| Monticello Road | 5 mi | 12m |
| Monticello Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Caldwell Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
| MS 28 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Gallatin Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sardis, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
Start on Monticello Road
Keep slight right at fork onto Monticello Street
Continue on Georgetown Street
Turn left onto West Gallatin Street
Turn right onto US 51
Turn left onto MS 28
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
Take the exit
Turn left onto MS 305
Turn right onto Goodman Road
Arrive at destination
Since this trip is only about 4.5 hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best, though an early start will give you ample daylight. The longest stretch without a significant change in highway is over 200 miles, so plan a fuel stop before you hit that point if your tank is low. With only one recommended stop for this 243.4-mile journey, consider making it a midway point for a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the end of the 218.9-mile stretch on I 55.
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.
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 54 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.7 miles or 2h 21m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Olive Branch, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Sardis, 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 Sardis, MS
This is one driving day of about 243.4 miles and 4h 39m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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.
A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 121.7 miles from Sardis, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 218.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 5 and 236.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto Monticello Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn left onto West Gallatin Street
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward Grenada, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 East: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
Regular Gas
$36.76 one way
$73.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $40.35 | $80.71 |
| premium | $4.56 | $43.69 | $87.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $53.74 | $107.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73 | 0 | $25.56 | $11.68 |
| Efficient EV | 60.9 | 0 | $21.30 | $9.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.4 | 1 | $34.08 | $15.58 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Sardis on Tuesday
Local time
4:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Olive Branch on Tuesday
Local time
4:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route is a highway-focused drive, with 96% of it on major roadways. You'll spend most of your time on Interstate 55, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch of the journey at 218.9 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience, characterized by the efficiency of interstate travel. While the primary roads are highways, the route eventually incorporates I 269 and MS 305, offering a slight variation in the latter part of your trip.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 269. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5 miles in near Monticello Street.
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 243.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 5 miles (Monticello Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 6.2 miles (West Gallatin Street): Navigation decision point; at 40.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sardis, MS and Olive Branch, MS, road signs point toward Grenada and Memphis.
Grenada
Memphis
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Cuisine: american
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Madison, MS
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: 10:00-21:00
Visit websiteRestaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Madison, MS
Cuisine: sandwich
Visit websiteFast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Madison, MS
Cuisine: chicken
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:30-22:00; Su 10:30-21:00
Visit websiteRestaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Madison, MS
Cuisine: barbecue
Restaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Madison, MS
Cuisine: steak_house
Restaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Madison, MS
Cuisine: japanese
Park
Later in the drive, short detour
Park
Near the end, short detour
Park
Later in the drive, short detour
Artwork
Early in the drive, right off the route
Artwork
Early in the drive, right off the route
Museum
Early in the drive, short detour
MS
Yes
Early in the drive, short detour
Archaeological_site
Later in the drive, short detour
Archaeological_site
Later in the drive, short detour
Hotel
Near the end, right off the route
Hotel
Early in the drive, short detour
Motel
Near the end, short detour
Olive Branch
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 243.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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