Drive Time
7h 16m
Distance
369.3 mi
594 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
The drive from Olive Branch, MS to Waveland, MS covers 369.3 miles and takes about 7h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Cockrum Road, Tunica, I 55 South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $56.46 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
184.6 miles from Olive Branch, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .
Expect a 7h 16m drive with frequent turns across 369.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 16m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Olive Branch, MS to Waveland, MS is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cockrum Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tunica | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 55 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 20 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Richland | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 49 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 59 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Olive Branch, MS and Waveland, MS.
Start on Goodman Road
Turn left onto Cockrum Road
Take the ramp right toward Tunica
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Jackson
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Jackson
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg
Keep slight right to continue on Richland, Hattiesburg
Merge slight left onto Highway 49 South
Continue straight
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward I 59 South: New Orleans, Gulf Coast
Merge slight left onto Lance Corporal Roy M Wheat Memorial Highway
Take the exit slight right toward MS 53: Poplarville, Necaise
Turn left onto South Main Street
Continue straight
Continue on Nicholson Avenue
Turn right onto McLaurin Street
Turn right onto Saint Anthony Street
Turn left onto Saint Joseph Street
Turn left onto Coleman Avenue
Turn right onto Central Avenue
Arrive at your 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 81 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.6 miles or 3h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waveland, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Olive Branch, MS
This is one driving day of about 369.3 miles and 7h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 184.6 mi from Olive Branch, MS · 3h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
185 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.
The final approach into Waveland, 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 Waveland, MS.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$56.46 one way
$112.91 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $61.92 | $123.85 |
| premium | $4.61 | $67.03 | $134.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $82.05 | $164.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.8 | 1 | $38.78 | $17.73 |
| Efficient EV | 92.3 | 1 | $32.31 | $14.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 147.7 | 1 | $51.70 | $23.64 |
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
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
2:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Waveland on Sunday
Local time
2:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
185 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.
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