Drive Time
6h 4m
Distance
315.7 mi
508 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
Photo: 大 董
The drive from Olive Branch, MS to Carthage, MS covers 315.7 miles and takes about 6h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, US 61, I 20 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 176.5 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.26 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
157.8 miles from Olive Branch, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .
This is a 6h 4m highway drive covering 315.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and US 61. The longest continuous stretch is about 176.5 miles on I 55.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 61. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 305 / Cockrum Road.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 315.7 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: near the start (MS 305 / Cockrum Road): Navigation decision point; at 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 199.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto MS 305 / Cockrum Road
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South: Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork toward US 49 North: Yazoo City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the ramp toward 20
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61 toward US 61 South: Natchez
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Olive Branch, MS to Carthage, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Ntp along the way.
Ntp
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 176.5 mi | 3h 9m |
| US 61 | 69.9 mi | 1h 19m |
| I 20 | 32.8 mi | 35m |
| I 269 | 9.2 mi | 9m |
| Natchez Trace Parkway | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| Cockrum Road | 6.2 mi | 11m |
| I 220 | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| Carthage Point Road | 2.3 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Olive Branch, MS and Carthage, 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
Continue on I 220
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 49
Take the exit
Turn right onto Natchez Trace Parkway
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20; US 80
Merge onto I 20; US 61; US 80
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61
Turn right onto Highland Boulevard
Turn left onto Lower Woodville Road
Continue on Carthage Point Road
Turn slight right
Arrive at destination
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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.8 miles or 2h 55m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carthage, 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 315.7 miles and 6h 4m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 157.8 mi from Olive Branch, MS · 2h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 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 157.8 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 176.5 miles.
The final approach into Carthage, 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 Carthage, 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
$48.26 one way
$96.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $52.94 | $105.87 |
| premium | $4.61 | $57.30 | $114.60 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $70.14 | $140.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.7 | 1 | $33.15 | $15.15 |
| Efficient EV | 78.9 | 0 | $27.62 | $12.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.3 | 1 | $44.20 | $20.20 |
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Olive Branch on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Carthage on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
158 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
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Carthage, MS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.
Explore maps for Olive Branch, MS or Carthage, MS on MapSof.net.
