Trip from Carthage, MS to Olive Branch, MS

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are I 55, MS 35, I 269. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 85.2 miles from Carthage, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.73 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

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.

Q: How many breaks should I plan?

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Q: What towns show up on signs driving from Carthage, MS to Olive Branch, MS?

The route from Carthage, MS to Olive Branch, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 29m

Distance

170.4 mi

274 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 17m ★

6 AM

3h 30m

8 AM

3h 54m

10 AM

3h 38m

12 PM

3h 36m

3 PM

3h 39m

5 PM

3h 53m

8 PM

3h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Trip Overview

The drive from Carthage, MS to Olive Branch, MS covers 170.4 miles and takes about 3h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, MS 35, I 269 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 106.5 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.73 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

85.2 miles from Carthage, MS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 170.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 29m highway drive covering 170.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and MS 35. The longest continuous stretch is about 106.5 miles on I 55.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 106.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and MS 35. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 23 miles in near East Jefferson Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 29m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 23 miles (East Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 154.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 154.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4

23 mi into trip | ~34m in | East Jefferson Street

Turn left onto East Jefferson Street

Navigation decision point

4

154.1 mi into trip | ~3h 6m in

Take the exit toward I 69 South: Tunica

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 69 South: Tunica

5

154.4 mi into trip | ~3h 6m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 East: Nashville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 269 East: Nashville

4

154.9 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in | I 269; MS 304

Merge onto I 269; MS 304 toward I 269 East: Nashville

Merge point - match speed before joining

Toward I 269 East: Nashville

5

163.6 mi into trip | ~3h 17m 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...

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	106.5 mi	1h 54m
MS 35	44.1 mi	1h 5m
I 269	8.7 mi	9m
MS 305	6.4 mi	11m
North Jackson Street	1.7 mi	3m
MS 731	1.4 mi	2m
East Jefferson Street	0.1 mi	<1m
Goodman Road	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 106.5 mi, about 1h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, MS and Olive Branch, MS.

1

Start on MS 35

22 mi · 32 min · MS 35

2

Turn left onto MS 731

1.4 mi · 2 min · MS 731

3

Turn left onto East Jefferson Street

0.1 mi · 14 sec · East Jefferson Street

4

Turn right onto North Jackson Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · North Jackson Street

5

Continue on MS 35

22 mi · 33 min · MS 35

6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

7

Merge onto I 55

106 mi · 1 hr 54 min · I 55

8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward I 69 South: Tunica

9

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 269 East: Nashville

10

Merge onto I 269; MS 304

8.7 mi · 9 min · I 269; MS 304

Toward I 269 East: Nashville

11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg

12

Turn left onto MS 305

6.4 mi · 11 min · MS 305

13

Turn right onto Goodman Road

260 ft · 5 sec · Goodman Road

14

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 85.2 miles from Carthage, MS, or about 1h 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.5 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 37 miles or 56m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 85.2 miles or 1h 52m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 50m

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 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 170.4 miles and 3h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Carthage, 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 106.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 85.2 mi from Carthage, MS · 1h 52m into the drive

city in and county seat of Grenada County, Mississippi, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Grenada, MS

85 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Kosciusko, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grenada, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85.2 miles from Carthage, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.5 miles.

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.

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 99.9

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.73 one way

$51.47 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$28.25	$56.50
premium	$4.56	$30.58	$61.17
diesel	$5.61	$37.62	$75.24

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	51.1	$17.89	$8.18
Efficient EV	42.6	$14.91	$6.82
EV Truck/SUV	68.2	$23.86	$10.91

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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 12, 2026

Origin

Carthage, MS

Afternoon in Carthage on Thursday

Local time

4:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Olive Branch, MS

Afternoon in Olive Branch on Thursday

Local time

4:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

79°F

Grenada, MS

85 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

19 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

3h 29m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Carthage, MS to Olive Branch, MS covers 170.4 miles and takes about 3h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 55, MS 35, I 269. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 85.2 miles from Carthage, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.73 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a straightforward 3h 29m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 23 miles (East Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 154.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 154.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

The route from Carthage, MS to Olive Branch, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500