How far is Olive Branch, MS from Columbia, MS?

The driving distance from Olive Branch, MS to Columbia, MS is about 284.8 miles (458.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 256.3 miles (412.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
284.82 mi
05h 40m
Flight
256.33 mi
412.52 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Olive Branch.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
256.33 mi
Kilometers
412.52 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
284.82 mi
Kilometers
458.37 km
Drive Time
05h 40m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 05h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Mon, May 4, 11:39 AM CDT
Return by in Olive Branch
Mon, May 4, 5:20 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Olive Branch
2026-05-04T05:58
Arrive Columbia
Mon, May 4, 11:39 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:41 AM to 1:41 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:38 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Olive Branch
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Durant
MS

City in Holmes County, Mississippi

From Olive Branch
142.7 mi
02h 50m
To Columbia
142.2 mi
02h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SSW
Destination
81°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Olive Branch and Columbia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Olive Branch and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on Goodman Road

    79 m · 13 sec · Goodman Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Cockrum Road

    6.2 mi · 11 min · Cockrum Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward Tunica

    1702 ft · 42 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    9.2 mi · 10 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Jackson

    1833 ft · 45 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Jackson

    1.2 km · 2 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    186.1 mi · 3 hr 21 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 20 East, US 49 South: Meridian, Hattiesburg

    1.5 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Richland, Hattiesburg

    1.2 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Highway 49 South

    27.5 mi · 34 min · Highway 49 South

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    842 ft · 23 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Highway 13 North

    28.1 mi · 42 min · Highway 13 North

  13. 13

    Turn slight left

    23.8 mi · 35 min

  14. 14

    Continue on Main Street

    3021 ft · 53 sec · Main Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 2nd Street

    694 ft · 19 sec · 2nd Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Olive Branch and Columbia.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
187 mi · 66%
Highway 13 North
28.1 mi · 10%
Highway 49 South
27.6 mi · 10%
Tunica
9.5 mi · 3%
Cockrum Road
6.24 mi · 2%
I 20 East
0.93 mi
Longest Stretch

I 55 South

Merge slight left

186 mi · 03h 21m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 40m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.5 mi
256.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Durant
02h 50m from Olive Branch
Leave By
5:38 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Olive Branch and Sunny near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Olive Branch to Columbia?

The road trip is about 284.8 miles (458.4 km) and usually takes 05h 40m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Durant is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142.7 miles from Olive Branch and 142.2 miles from Columbia.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 256.3 miles (412.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:38 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.06 one way or $76.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Olive Branch and Sunny near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Durant

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Durant, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Durant.

RAIL

Greenwood

58 mi away
Carrolton Ave. and East Gibbs Street
RAIL

Yazoo City

58 mi away
West Broadway (SR149) and North Water Street
RAIL

Union Station

92 mi away
300 W. Capital Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Olive Branch and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 256.33 mi (412.52 km).

Olive Branch

#1 Olive Branch

A city in DeSoto County, Mississippi.

Population39,646
Coordinates34.9617600, -89.8295300
Altitude118
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

City in Mississippi, United States

Population5,850
Coordinates31.2518400, -89.8375800
Altitude45
CountryUnited States
Start: Olive Branch (-89.82953, 34.96176)
End: Columbia (-89.83758, 31.25184)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 458 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.05 gal
38.04 L · about $38.06
Round trip
$76.12
20.1 gal · 76.08 L
Estimated CO2
89.3 kg one way
Round trip: 178.6 kg / 394 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $38.06 $76.12
Mid-grade $4.26 $42.80 $85.61
Premium $4.63 $46.48 $92.96
Diesel $5.42 $54.42 $108.84

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Mississippi · May 04, 2026

There is no time difference between Olive Branch and Columbia. The current time is 05:58:43.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.