Drive Time
6h 8m
Distance
322.4 mi
519 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
Photo: Hani Salama
The drive from Carthage, MS to Olive Branch, MS covers 322.4 miles and takes about 6h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, US 84, I 269 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 242.2 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.29 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
161.2 miles from Carthage, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .
This is a 6h 8m highway drive covering 322.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and US 84. The longest continuous stretch is about 242.2 miles on I 55.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near Carthage Point Road.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 322.4 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 2.2 miles (Carthage Point Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 119.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 306.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
Merge onto I 269; MS 304 toward I 269 East: Nashville
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Between Carthage, MS and Olive Branch, MS, road signs point toward Grenada and Memphis.
Grenada
Memphis
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 242.2 mi | 4h 21m |
| US 84 | 53.2 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 269 | 8.7 mi | 9m |
| Seargent Prentiss Drive | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| MS 305 | 6.4 mi | 11m |
| Carthage Point Road | 2.3 mi | 8m |
| Highland Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
| Lower Woodville Road | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
Start on this road
Turn straight onto Carthage Point Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Carthage Point Road
Turn straight onto Lower Woodville Road
Turn right onto Highland Boulevard
Turn left onto US 61
Take the exit onto US 84
Take the exit
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
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 80 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.2 miles or 3h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Olive Branch, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Carthage, 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 Carthage, MS
This is one driving day of about 322.4 miles and 6h 8m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 161.2 mi from Carthage, MS · 3h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 161.2 miles from Carthage, 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 242.2 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$49.29 one way
$98.57 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $54.06 | $108.12 |
| premium | $4.61 | $58.51 | $117.03 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $71.63 | $143.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.7 | 1 | $33.85 | $15.48 |
| Efficient EV | 80.6 | 0 | $28.21 | $12.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129 | 1 | $45.14 | $20.63 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Carthage on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Olive Branch on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
161 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
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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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