Drive Time
5h 54m
Distance
300.3 mi
483 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
Photo: Hani Salama
If you are planning to travel from Oxford to Olive Branch, you are looking at a 300.3-mile journey that takes approximately 5 hours and 54 minutes to complete. Because this route is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $46 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast Mississippi locations. While the drive is efficient, it is best suited for those who prefer interstate travel over backroads. Since the route stays entirely within the state of Mississippi, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the transition from Oxford to the Olive Branch area.
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
150.1 miles from Oxford, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 94% of your journey takes place on highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on the interstate, with a significant 242.2-mile stretch on I-55 serving as the primary corridor. After navigating that long section, the route transitions into a mix of US-84 and I-269 to finalize your arrival. The road's personality is defined by its efficiency rather than technical curves, making it a functional, no-nonsense drive. You should be prepared for a consistent pace that favors steady highway cruising over varied terrain.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.1 miles in near Gloster Road.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 300.3 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 9.1 miles (Gloster Road): Navigation decision point; at 97.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 284.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto Gloster Road
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward Grenada, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 269 East: Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto I 269; MS 304 toward I 269 East: Nashville
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MS 305: Independence, Olive Branch, Lewisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Oxford, MS and Olive Branch, MS, road signs point toward Grenada and Memphis.
Grenada
Memphis
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 242.2 mi | 4h 21m |
| US 84 | 22.9 mi | 26m |
| I 269 | 8.7 mi | 9m |
| Gloster Road | 6.5 mi | 15m |
| MS 305 | 6.4 mi | 11m |
| Oxford-Meadville Road | 6.3 mi | 15m |
| Yap 3 Road | 2.6 mi | 6m |
| United States Highway 98 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Oxford, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
Start on Oxford-Meadville Road
Continue on Gloster Road
At end of road, turn left onto Gloster Road
Continue on Yap 3 Road
Turn left onto US 98
Turn right onto MS 184
Turn right onto US 84
Take the exit
Merge onto I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 269; MS 304
Take the exit
Turn left onto MS 305
Turn right onto Goodman Road
Arrive at destination
Given the nearly six-hour duration, try to leave early in the morning to avoid fatigue and maximize your daylight hours. Since the itinerary includes only one planned stop, you have plenty of flexibility to decide when to stretch your legs during the long 242.2-mile segment on I-55. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting that primary interstate leg to ensure you aren't forced to exit unnecessarily. Because you are mostly on major thoroughfares, traffic flow will be your biggest variable, so checking for construction or congestion on I-55 before you depart is a smart move. Use the $46 fuel estimate as a baseline, but keep a little extra set aside for potential price fluctuations at different stations along the way.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.1 miles or 3h 6m 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 Olive Branch, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Oxford, 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 Oxford, MS
This is one driving day of about 300.3 miles and 5h 54m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 150.1 mi from Oxford, MS · 3h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
150 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 150.1 miles from Oxford, 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 242.2 miles.
The final approach into Olive Branch, 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 Olive Branch, 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
$45.91 one way
$91.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $50.35 | $100.71 |
| premium | $4.61 | $54.50 | $109.01 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $66.72 | $133.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.1 | 1 | $31.53 | $14.41 |
| Efficient EV | 75.1 | 0 | $26.28 | $12.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 120.1 | 1 | $42.04 | $19.22 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Oxford on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Olive Branch on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
150 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Oxford, MS or browse trips ending in Olive Branch, MS.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MS road trips.
Explore maps for Oxford, MS or Olive Branch, MS on MapSof.net.
