Drive Time
5h 24m
Distance
280.7 mi
452 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
Photo: Hani Salama
Traveling from Sumrall to Olive Branch covers 280.7 miles across the state of Mississippi, typically taking about 5 hours and 24 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused journey, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $43 for fuel to make the trek from the Southeast region toward your destination. Since 96% of the route consists of highways, you will spend the vast majority of your time cruising rather than navigating local traffic. It is a highly efficient path that connects these two points directly, making it a practical option for travelers who prefer a quick and reliable transit experience.
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
140.4 miles from Sumrall, MS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .
This trip is defined by its efficiency, relying heavily on I-55 and US-49 to get you to your destination. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the interstate, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 186.4 miles on I-55. While the route begins with local navigation on Main Street, the transition to high-speed highways happens quickly. The experience is best characterized as a steady, highway-focused drive where the focus is on maintaining a consistent pace. Expect a functional transit experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours or technical road conditions.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Poplar Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 280.7 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: at 0.1 miles (Poplar Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (MS 42): Navigation decision point; at 11.5 miles (US 49): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Poplar Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto MS 42
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto US 49
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49 toward Jackson
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
On the drive from Sumrall, MS to Olive Branch, MS, road signs begin pointing toward Jackson along the way.
Jackson
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 186.4 mi | 3h 21m |
| US 49 | 66.5 mi | 1h 21m |
| Main Street | 11.2 mi | 16m |
| I 269 | 8.7 mi | 9m |
| MS 305 | 6.4 mi | 11m |
| MS 42 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Jackson Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sumrall, MS and Olive Branch, MS.
Start on Jackson Street
Continue on Pennsylvania Avenue
Turn right onto Poplar Street
Turn left onto MS 42
Turn right onto MS 589
At end of road, turn left onto US 49
Take the exit onto US 49
Keep slight left at fork onto US 49
Keep slight right at fork onto US 49
Merge 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 5-hour and 24-minute duration, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day congestion on major corridors. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the monotony of the long interstate stretches. Since you are spending $43 on fuel for this 280.7-mile journey, check your tank levels before merging onto the longest 186.4-mile stretch of I-55 to ensure you aren't caught searching for a station in a remote area. Because the route is compact enough for a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions or personal fatigue. Keep a close watch on your odometer to gauge your progress between your departure in the Southeast and your arrival in Olive Branch.
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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.4 miles or 2h 47m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Olive Branch, MS than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Sumrall, 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 Sumrall, MS
This is one driving day of about 280.7 miles and 5h 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 140.4 mi from Sumrall, MS · 2h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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 140.4 miles from Sumrall, 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 186.4 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
$42.91 one way
$85.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $47.07 | $94.13 |
| premium | $4.61 | $50.95 | $101.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $62.36 | $124.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.2 | 1 | $29.47 | $13.47 |
| Efficient EV | 70.2 | 0 | $24.56 | $11.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.3 | 1 | $39.30 | $17.96 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Sumrall on Sunday
Local time
2:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Olive Branch on Sunday
Local time
2:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Magee, MS
140 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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