Drive Time
5h 11m
Distance
280.7 mi
452 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
Photo: Hani Salama
Spanning 280.7 miles across Mississippi, this drive from McComb to Olive Branch takes approximately 5 hours and 11 minutes to complete. It is a straightforward, highway-focused route that is entirely manageable as a single-day trip, making it an efficient way to traverse the state from south to north. You should budget roughly $43 for fuel to cover the distance. Since both your start and end points are located within the Southeast region, you will remain within the same cultural and geographic landscape throughout the journey. Whether you are traveling for business or visiting family, this direct path offers a predictable travel time that helps you plan your day with confidence.
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
140.4 miles from McComb, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 99% of this trip is spent on highways. The vast majority of your time—specifically 261.7 miles—will be spent on I-55, which serves as the backbone of your journey. You will eventually transition onto I-269 and MS-305 to reach your final destination in Olive Branch. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the road personality is defined by consistent, fast-paced travel rather than technical turns or winding backroads. Prepare for a steady, focused drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over scenic detours.
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 0.1 miles in near North Front Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 280.7 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 0.1 miles (North Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (State Street): Navigation decision point; at 77.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto North Front Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto State 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
Merge onto I 269; MS 304 toward I 269 East: Nashville
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Between McComb, MS and Olive Branch, MS, road signs point toward Grenada and Memphis.
Grenada
Memphis
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 261.7 mi | 4h 42m |
| I 269 | 8.7 mi | 9m |
| MS 305 | 6.4 mi | 11m |
| Smithdale Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Jackson Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Northwest Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Broadway Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Georgia Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between McComb, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
Start on Main Street
Turn left onto North Front Street
Turn left onto State Street
Turn right onto US 51
Turn left onto US 51
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Continue on US 51
Turn left onto MS 570
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 55; US 98
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
With a total travel time of just over five hours, you have the flexibility to complete this drive in one go, but planning for at least one dedicated stop will keep you refreshed behind the wheel. Given the reliance on I-55, try to avoid peak rush hours near larger urban centers to maintain your momentum. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the 261.7-mile stretch on the interstate to ensure you don't run low between major exits. Since you have only one planned stop, use it as an opportunity to stretch your legs and reset before the final push toward Olive Branch. Checking your tire pressure before you depart McComb is a smart, route-specific tip that helps ensure a trouble-free journey on the high-speed highway sections.
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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.4 miles or 2h 33m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Olive Branch, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving McComb, 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 McComb, MS
This is one driving day of about 280.7 miles and 5h 11m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 140.4 mi from McComb, MS · 2h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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 140.4 miles from McComb, 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 261.7 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
$42.91 one way
$85.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $47.07 | $94.13 |
| premium | $4.61 | $50.95 | $101.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $62.36 | $124.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.2 | 1 | $29.47 | $13.47 |
| Efficient EV | 70.2 | 0 | $24.56 | $11.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.3 | 1 | $39.30 | $17.96 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 McComb on Sunday
Local time
2:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Olive Branch on Sunday
Local time
2:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
140 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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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