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Trip from Olive Branch, MS to University, MS

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 12m

Distance

56.8 mi

91 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min
4 AM
1h 7m ★
6 AM
1h 13m
8 AM
1h 24m
10 AM
1h 17m
12 PM
1h 16m
3 PM
1h 17m
5 PM
1h 24m
8 PM
1h 9m

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

city in DeSoto County, Mississippi, United States

Olive Branch, MS

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown University, MS, MS

University, MS

DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ

Trip Overview

The drive from Olive Branch, MS to University, MS covers 56.8 miles and takes about 1h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on MS 4, US 78, Cockrum Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 27.7 miles on MS 4. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.58 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 12m. Total distance: 56.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 12m highway drive covering 56.8 miles, with most of the trip on MS 4 and US 78. The longest continuous stretch is about 27.7 miles on MS 4.

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.
MS 4 is the longest continuous segment at about 27.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MS 4 and US 78. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near US 78.

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 1h 12m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (US 78): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.7 miles: 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.

5
1.5 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 78

Merge onto US 78

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
27.5 mi into trip | ~30m in

Take the exit toward MS 4, MS 7: Oxford, Holly Springs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward MS 4, MS 7: Oxford, Holly Springs
5
27.7 mi into trip | ~31m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
55.4 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in

Take the exit toward MS 314, MS 334

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward MS 314, MS 334
6
55.6 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in | MS 314 / University Avenue

Enter roundabout onto MS 314 / University Avenue

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

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 University, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Holly Springs along the way.

Holly Springs

27.5 mi in | ~30m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
MS 4 27.7 mi 37m
US 78 25.9 mi 27m
Cockrum Road 1.2 mi 2m
University Avenue 1.1 mi 3m
South 5th Street <0.1 mi <1m
Goodman Road <0.1 mi <1m
Tyler Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: MS 4 — 27.7 mi, about 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Goodman Road

260 ft · 12 sec · Goodman Road
2

Turn left onto MS 305

1.2 mi · 2 min · Cockrum Road
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
4

Merge onto US 78

26 mi · 27 min · US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward MS 4, MS 7: Oxford, Holly Springs
6

Keep slight left at fork

135 ft · 3 sec
7

Turn right onto MS 4; MS 7

28 mi · 37 min · MS 4; MS 7
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward MS 314, MS 334
9

Enter roundabout onto MS 314

10 ft · 0 sec · University Avenue
10

Continue on MS 314

1.1 mi · 3 min · University Avenue
11

Turn right onto South 5th Street

466 ft · 21 sec · South 5th Street
12

Turn right onto Tyler Avenue

51 ft · 2 sec · Tyler Avenue
13

Arrive at destination

Tyler Avenue

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 28.4 mi from Olive Branch, MS · 32m into the drive

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Holly Springs, MS

28 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

Byhalia, MS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Holly Springs, MS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 28.4 miles from Olive Branch, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in University, MS

The final approach into University, MS usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.58 one way

$17.16 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 20 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $9.42 $18.83
premium $4.56 $10.19 $20.39
diesel $5.61 $12.54 $25.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$9

Estimated CO2 emission: 19.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 17 0 $5.96 $2.73
Efficient EV 14.2 0 $4.97 $2.27
EV Truck/SUV 22.7 0 $7.95 $3.64

Gas CO2

20 kg

EV CO2

7 kg (65% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Olive Branch, MS

Night in Olive Branch on Thursday

Local time

9:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

University, MS

Night in University on Thursday

Local time

9:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

1 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

1h 12m 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 University, MS covers 56.8 miles and takes about 1h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MS 4, US 78, Cockrum Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.4 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 $8.58 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 is a straightforward 1h 12m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (US 78): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Olive Branch, MS to University, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Holly Springs along the way.

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