You will want a full brief no more than a couple of hours before the planned departure time. You can certainly get a brief the night before for planning purposes, but you will need to update it on the morning of the flight, including the effect of current winds on your flight plan/log as well as the actual ceilings/visibilities and any changes in the forecast on your planning and go/no-go decision.
IOW, do it like you were really launching on that cross-country flight at the actual time you will be launching on your checkride.