Embarking on a 265.6-mile journey from Union, Mississippi to Olive Branch, Mississippi will take you approximately 4 hours and 12 minutes of driving time. This route is primarily on local roads, with a significant number of turns, making it feel like a true exploration of the Southeast region. With a fuel cost estimated at $41, this trip is quite budget-friendly and is easily manageable as a single-day adventure. You'll navigate through areas that are largely consistent within Mississippi, offering a straightforward drive without major regional transitions. This drive is best suited for those who enjoy a more hands-on driving experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise.
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
132.4 miles from Union, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
186.4 mi
3h 21m
US 49
50.8 mi
1h 2m
MS 532
10.2 mi
17m
I 269
8.7 mi
9m
MS 305
6.4 mi
11m
MS 35
1.2 mi
1m
Goodman Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Jones Chapel Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 186.4 mi, about 3h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on Jones Chapel Road
81 ft·10 sec·Jones Chapel Road
2
Turn sharp left onto MS 532
10 mi·17 min·MS 532
3
Turn left onto MS 35
1.2 mi·1 min·MS 35
4
Turn right onto US 49
49 mi·59 min·US 49
5
Take the exit onto US 49
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 49
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
0.7 mi·1 min·US 49
Toward Jackson
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
0.9 mi·1 min·US 49
8
Merge onto I 55
186 mi·3 hr 21 min·I 55
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 69 South: Tunica
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
11
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
8.7 mi·9 min·I 269; MS 304
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg
13
Turn left onto MS 305
6.4 mi·11 min·MS 305
14
Turn right onto Goodman Road
260 ft·5 sec·Goodman Road
15
Arrive at destination
Goodman Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 12-minute duration and the 'turn-heavy' nature of this 265.6-mile route, planning for a single day is feasible. You'll want to leave early to make the most of daylight, especially since the local roads might require a bit more time per mile. With only one suggested stop for this drive, consider breaking it up strategically to avoid fatigue, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can sometimes be more spread out between services than major highways. A good tip for this specific route: utilize your GPS's turn-by-turn navigation diligently, as the frequent turns are a defining characteristic and can easily lead you astray if not followed closely.
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 132.4 miles from Union, MS, or about 2h 38m 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 58 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 38m 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 10m
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 Union, 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 Union, MS
This is one driving day of about 264.9 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Union, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 258.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MS 532
Turn sharp left onto MS 532
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
60.6 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|US 49
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49 toward Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Jackson
4
61.2 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
248.9 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 East: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 269 East: Nashville
5
258.1 mi into trip|~4h 55m 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
$40.01 one way
$80.01 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$43.92
$87.83
premium
$4.56
$47.55
$95.09
diesel
$5.61
$58.49
$116.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.5
0
$27.81
$12.72
Efficient EV
66.2
0
$23.18
$10.60
EV Truck/SUV
106
1
$37.09
$16.95
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Union, MS
Late night
in Union on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Late night
in Olive Branch on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Madison, MS
132 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
17 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 7m 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...
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 191.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as 'turn-heavy' and predominantly local, meaning you won't be spending much time on highways; in fact, the highway share is 0%. Expect a route that requires your constant attention as you navigate numerous turns and local road segments. While the longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, the profile suggests a continuous series of road adjustments rather than long, sweeping highway sections. This type of drive offers a more intimate connection with the landscape as you pass through communities and varied terrain, rather than a monotonous interstate experience.
100% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 532.
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 13 significant decision points across 264.9 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: near the start (MS 532): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 60.6 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 61.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Union, MS to Olive Branch, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Jackson
60.6 mi in|~1h 19m|via US 49
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 264.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (100%). 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.
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: near the start (MS 532): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 60.6 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 61.2 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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.
