Origin
Olive Branch, MS
Morning in Olive Branch on Friday
Local time
10:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 50m
Distance
353.9 mi
570 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Olive Branch, MS
Wikimedia Commons
Lyman, MS
Zsolt Pujsz
This 353.9-mile journey from Olive Branch, MS to Lyman, MS is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 6 hours and 50 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing I-55 and Highway 49 South, the drive is almost entirely on highways, making it a straightforward trip. With a projected fuel cost of $53, it's an economical option for covering ground within the Southeast region. While one recommended stop is factored in, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 186.1 miles on I-55, so plan your breaks accordingly. This route is best suited for those prioritizing efficient travel over extensive sightseeing.
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
177 miles from Olive Branch, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 17m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 50m. Total distance: 353.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 50m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Expect a highway-focused drive for 95% of this 353.9-mile route. You'll spend most of your time on I-55 and US 49, which are designed for steady progress. The main highway personality is that of efficient travel, with fewer distractions. The longest continuous segment you'll encounter is 186.1 miles on I-55, indicating substantial periods of consistent driving. While the route is largely predictable, keep an eye on the transition as you move from I-55 to Highway 49 South, as road conditions and surrounding scenery might subtly shift.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Highway 49 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 203.9 miles in near US 49.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 353.9 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 203.9 miles (US 49): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 286.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 294.5 miles (US 98): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49 toward Richland, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 98 toward US 98 East: Lucedale, Mobile
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 49: Wiggins, Gulfport, Mississippi Gulf Coast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward Multi Purpose Center, Hattiesburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Olive Branch, MS and Lyman, MS, road signs point toward Hattiesburg, Richland, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mobile and Gulfport - among others.
Hattiesburg
Richland
Gulf Coast
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Mobile
Gulfport
Multi Purpose Center
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 186.1 mi | 3h 21m |
| Highway 49 South | 80.3 mi | 1h 37m |
| US 49 | 55.4 mi | 1h 6m |
| I 269 | 9.2 mi | 9m |
| Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| Cockrum Road | 6.2 mi | 11m |
| US 98 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| MS 53 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Olive Branch, MS and Lyman, MS.
Start on Goodman Road
Turn left onto MS 305
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 55
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Merge onto US 49
Continue on US 49; MS 42
Continue on US 49; MS 42
Take the exit
Merge onto I 59
Take the exit onto US 98
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto US 49
Turn right onto MS 53
Turn left onto Lumpkin Road
Turn left onto Price Road
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 6-hour, 50-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Olive Branch to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $53, ensure your tank is full before you begin, especially given the longest stretch of 186.1 miles on I-55 where services might be less frequent. While only one stop is factored into the duration, pacing yourself with short breaks every 1.5-2 hours is advisable. A key tip for this route: utilize the US 49 portion for a change of pace from I-55, as it may offer more local amenities if needed.
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 78 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177 miles or 3h 17m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lyman, MS than in the middle of the route.
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 353.9 miles and 6h 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 177 mi from Olive Branch, MS · 3h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
177 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 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 177 miles from Olive Branch, 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 186.1 miles.
The final approach into Lyman, 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 Lyman, 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
$53.45 one way
$106.89 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $58.67 | $117.34 |
| premium | $4.56 | $63.52 | $127.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $78.14 | $156.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 106.2 | 1 | $37.16 | $16.99 |
| Efficient EV | 88.5 | 1 | $30.97 | $14.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 141.6 | 1 | $49.55 | $22.65 |
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Olive Branch on Friday
Local time
10:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Lyman on Friday
Local time
10:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
55°F
Florence, MS
177 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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Olive Branch, MS or browse trips ending in Lyman, MS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.