Olive Branch to Drew is 111.8 miles and takes about 2h 23m via US 61 and US 49, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward drive stays within Mississippi, moving you from the northern part of the state to the central region. You'll primarily follow major highways, making it a functional trip rather than a scenic exploration. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.9 miles from Olive Branch, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 111.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of it spent on major roads like US 61 and Highway 49. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, particularly during the longest stretch of 51.9 miles on US 61. While it's largely a high-speed experience, be mindful of the transition as you approach your destination, where local roads might become more prevalent. The character of the drive is predominantly about efficient travel, prioritizing getting you from point A to point B smoothly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 61 is the longest continuous segment at about 51.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
384 ft135 ft
Total Climb
0 ft
Total Descent
250 ft
Highest Point
384 ft
Elevation Range
250 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 61 and Highway 49. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 305 / Cockrum Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 111.8 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (MS 305 / Cockrum Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 26.8 miles (MS 304): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MS 305 / Cockrum Road
Turn left onto MS 305 / Cockrum Road
Navigation decision point
4
6.3 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the ramp toward Tunica
Navigation decision point
Toward Tunica
4
26.8 mi into trip|~33m in|MS 304
Keep slight left at fork onto MS 304
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
29.6 mi into trip|~36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 61 South: Tunica
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 61 South: Tunica
4
96.1 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|US 49W / Highway 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W / Highway 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 Olive Branch, MS to Drew, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Tunica along the way.
Tunica
6.3 mi in|~11m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 61
51.9 mi
1h
Highway 49
14.6 mi
21m
US 49
13.9 mi
20m
I 69
10.6 mi
11m
I 269
9.6 mi
10m
Cockrum Road
6.2 mi
11m
MS 304
2.8 mi
2m
East Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 61
— 51.9 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Olive Branch, MS and Drew, MS.
1
Start on Goodman Road
260 ft·12 sec·Goodman Road
2
Turn left onto MS 305
6.2 mi·11 min·Cockrum Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Tunica
4
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
9.6 mi·10 min·I 269; MS 304
5
Continue on I 69; MS 304
11 mi·11 min·I 69; MS 304
6
Keep slight left at fork onto MS 304
2.8 mi·2 min·MS 304
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 61 South: Tunica
8
Merge onto US 61
52 mi·1 hr·US 61
9
Take the exit onto US 49
14 mi·20 min·US 49
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49W
15 mi·21 min·Highway 49
11
Continue on US 49W
0.8 mi·1 min·East Street
12
Turn right onto East Shaw Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Shaw Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
East Shaw Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 23m travel time, departing in the morning allows ample time for your journey and potential brief stops. With only 111.8 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $17, you have flexibility in your schedule. There are no designated stops in the data, so plan to fuel up before you leave Olive Branch or watch your gauge closely as you approach Drew. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 51.9 miles on US 61, so keep an eye on your fuel level before embarking on that segment.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.9 miles from Olive Branch, MS, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.9 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 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.9 miles or 1h 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 1h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Drew, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Olive Branch, 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 Olive Branch, MS
This is one driving day of about 111.8 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Olive Branch, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 61 for about 51.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.9 mi from Olive Branch, MS
· 1h 8m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 96.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.88 one way
$33.77 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$18.54
$37.07
premium
$4.56
$20.07
$40.13
diesel
$5.61
$24.68
$49.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.5
0
$11.74
$5.37
Efficient EV
28
0
$9.78
$4.47
EV Truck/SUV
44.7
0
$15.65
$7.16
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 17, 2026
Origin
Olive Branch, MS
Afternoon
in Olive Branch on Friday
Local time
3:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Drew, MS
Afternoon
in Drew on Friday
Local time
3:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
7 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
2h 23m 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 Olive Branch, MS to Drew, MS covers 111.8 miles and takes about 2h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 61, Highway 49, US 49. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55.9 miles from Olive Branch, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.88 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 111.8 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 305 / Cockrum Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 26.8 miles (MS 304): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Olive Branch, MS to Drew, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Tunica along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 135 ft to 384 ft elevation with about 0 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument.
