The drive from Belmont, MS to Olive Branch, MS covers 293.6 miles and takes about 5h 47m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 45, I 22, US Highway 45 Alternate for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 132.1 miles on US 45.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.34 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
146.8 miles from Belmont, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 47m. Total distance: 293.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 47m highway drive covering 293.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 45 and I 22. The longest continuous stretch is about 132.1 miles on US 45.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 45 is the longest continuous segment at about 132.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 45 and I 22. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in near US 45.
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 9 significant decision points across 293.6 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 3.5 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 134 miles (US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208.3 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
3.5 mi into trip|~13m in|US 45
Turn right onto US 45
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
134 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, Tupel...
6
208.3 mi into trip|~4h 14m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
210.2 mi into trip|~4h 16m in|I 22; US 78
Merge onto I 22; US 78
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
292.5 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork
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 Belmont, MS to Olive Branch, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Tupelo along the way.
Tupelo
134 mi in|~2h 44m|via US 45 ALT
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 45
132.1 mi
2h 33m
I 22
82.1 mi
1h 27m
US Highway 45 Alternate
53 mi
1h 3m
Martin Luther King Drive
18.1 mi
20m
Buckatunna Millry Road
3.4 mi
13m
Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
3.3 mi
4m
Cockrum Road
1 mi
1m
Buckatunna Mount Zion Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 45
— 132.1 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belmont, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on Buckatunna Millry Road
3.4 mi·13 min·Buckatunna Millry Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Buckatunna Mount Zion Road
0.1 mi·25 sec·Buckatunna Mount Zion Road
3
Continue on Buckatunna Mount Zion Road
196 ft·12 sec·Buckatunna Mount Zion Road
4
Turn right onto US 45
9.8 mi·11 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 45
0.9 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 45
6.1 mi·7 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 45
0.7 mi·49 sec·US 45
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 45
1.7 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 45
1.8 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 45
6.3 mi·7 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 45
5.6 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 45
3.5 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 45
4.7 mi·5 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 45
5.3 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 45
3.7 mi·4 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 45
1.3 mi·1 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 45
79 mi·1 hr 30 min·US 45
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 45 ALT
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·US Highway 45 Alternate
Toward US 45 Alternate North: West Point, TupeloUse the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Continue on US 45 ALT
18 mi·20 min·Martin Luther King Drive
20
Continue on US 45; MS 6
3.3 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King, Junior Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
1.6 mi·2 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 78:west: Memphis
23
Merge onto I 22; US 78
82 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 22; US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
25
Keep slight right at fork
274 ft·6 sec
26
Turn straight onto MS 305
1.0 mi·1 min·Cockrum Road
27
Turn right onto Goodman Road
260 ft·5 sec·Goodman Road
28
Arrive at destination
Goodman Road
Trip Plan
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 146.8 miles from Belmont, MS, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.1 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 65 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.8 miles or 3h 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 49m
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 Belmont, 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 Belmont, MS
This is one driving day of about 293.6 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Belmont, 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 US 45 for about 132.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 146.8 mi from Belmont, MS
· 3h into the drive
The midpoint is around 147.1 miles from Belmont, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Olive Branch, MS
The final approach into Olive Branch, MS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Olive Branch, MS.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 212.6
Park Closure: Partial Closure of Rocky Springs Trail
Park Closure: Temporary Blackland Prairie Trail Closure to Equestrians
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 212.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.34 one way
$88.68 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$48.68
$97.35
premium
$4.56
$52.70
$105.40
diesel
$5.61
$64.82
$129.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.1
1
$30.83
$14.09
Efficient EV
73.4
0
$25.69
$11.74
EV Truck/SUV
117.4
1
$41.10
$18.79
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Belmont, MS
Afternoon
in Belmont on Thursday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Afternoon
in Olive Branch on Thursday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Meridian, MS
147 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
25 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 47m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Belmont, MS to Olive Branch, MS covers 293.6 miles and takes about 5h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 45, I 22, US Highway 45 Alternate. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 146.8 miles from Belmont, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 293.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 134 miles (US 45 ALT / US Highway 45 Alternate): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208.3 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Belmont, MS to Olive Branch, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Tupelo along the way.
