Origin
Pontotoc, MS
Night in Pontotoc on Sunday
Local time
10:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pontotoc, MS to Olive Branch, MS
Drive Time
1h 32m
Distance
77.8 mi
125 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pontotoc, MS
大 董
Olive Branch, MS
Hani Salama
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Pontotoc to Olive Branch, expect a straightforward journey spanning 77.8 miles. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 1 hour and 32 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Budgeting around $12 for fuel should be sufficient for the one-way transit through the Southeast. By utilizing MS 15, MS 30, and I-22, you will remain within Mississippi for the duration of the trip. This route is designed for efficiency, prioritizing direct highway travel to get you to your destination without unnecessary complications.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
38.9 miles from Pontotoc, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive is defined by its speed and directness, with 97% of the route consisting of highway miles. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-22, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 55 miles. The transition from local state roads like MS 15 and MS 30 onto the interstate creates a shift in pace, moving you from regional road travel to a faster, more consistent highway experience. Behind the wheel, the drive feels utilitarian and focused, offering a smooth path that minimizes the need for technical maneuvering or frequent navigation changes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 22 is the longest continuous segment at about 55 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 22 and MS 15. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MS 41 / South Main Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.8 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 41 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (MS 15): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.7 miles (MS 30): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MS 41 / South Main Street
Turn right onto MS 41 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
MS 15
Turn right onto MS 15
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
16.7 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
MS 30
Take the ramp onto MS 30 toward I-22 West, US 78 West: Memphis
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I-22 West, US 78 West: Memphis
5
76.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
77.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
Goodman Road
Turn right onto Goodman Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 22 | 55 mi | 58m |
| MS 15 | 15.2 mi | 22m |
| MS 30 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Cockrum Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Oxford Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Turnpike Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Goodman Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 22
— 55 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pontotoc, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
1
Start on East Marion Street
54 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Marion Street
2
Turn right onto MS 41
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Turn left onto MS 9
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Oxford Street
4
Turn right onto MS 336
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Turnpike Road
5
Turn right onto MS 15
7.6 mi
·
12 min
·
MS 15
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on MS 15
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
MS 15
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on MS 15
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
MS 15
Use the none lane.
8
Take the ramp onto MS 30
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
MS 30
Toward I-22 West, US 78 West: Memphis
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on I 22; US 78
55 mi
·
58 min
·
I 22; US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
274 ft
·
6 sec
12
Turn straight onto MS 305
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Cockrum Road
13
Turn right onto Goodman Road
260 ft
·
5 sec
·
Goodman Road
14
Arrive at destination
Goodman Road
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid local traffic. Given that there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily complete the entire 77.8-mile stretch in a single push without needing to plan for long breaks. Be sure to check your fuel levels before merging onto I-22, as the 55-mile highway segment is your longest stretch without a change in road type. Taking advantage of the quick travel time allows you to maximize your arrival window in Olive Branch. Keep a close eye on the transition points between MS 15, MS 30, and the interstate to ensure you stay on track during the initial leg of your journey.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 38.9 miles from Pontotoc, MS, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55 miles.
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 77.8 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.9 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Olive Branch, MS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pontotoc, 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 Pontotoc, MS
This is one driving day of about 77.8 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pontotoc, MS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 22 for about 55 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.9 mi from Pontotoc, MS · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 77.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.9 miles from Pontotoc, MS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Olive Branch, MS
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.89 one way
$23.79 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $13.05 | $26.09 |
| premium | $4.61 | $14.12 | $28.24 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.28 | $34.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.17 | $3.73 |
| Efficient EV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.81 | $3.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.1 | 0 | $10.89 | $4.98 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Olive Branch, MS
Night in Olive Branch on Sunday
Local time
10:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 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 32m 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 Pontotoc, MS to Olive Branch, MS covers 77.8 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 22, MS 15, MS 30. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.9 miles from Pontotoc, MS. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.89 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.8 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MS 41 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (MS 15): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.7 miles (MS 30): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Pontotoc, MS to Olive Branch, MS does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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