Bossier City, LA Road Trips
Bossier City, LA serves as a quiet starting point in the Southeast, connecting drivers to 28 outbound routes across the area. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 235 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Bossier City, LA head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Stephen Leonardi
Trip Routes
80
Longest Drive
344.5 mi
Barataria, LA
Quickest Drive
13m
Red Chute, LA
Plan Around Bossier City, LA
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Bossier City, LA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Bossier City, LA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Bossier City, LA
Bossier City, LA to Barataria, LA
Bossier City, LA to Bourg, LA
Bossier City, LA to Bridge City, LA
Bossier City, LA to Saint Rose, LA
Bossier City, LA to Kenner, LA
Bossier City, LA to Gray, LA
Bossier City, LA to Schriever, LA
Bossier City, LA to Reserve, LA
Bossier City, LA to Roseland, LA
Bossier City, LA to Gramercy, LA
Bossier City, LA to Kentwood, LA
Bossier City, LA to Watson, LA
Bossier City, LA to Plaquemine, LA
Bossier City, LA to Baldwin, LA
Bossier City, LA to Central, LA
Bossier City, LA to Greenwood, LA
Bossier City, LA to Maryland, LA
Bossier City, LA to New Iberia, LA
Driving from Bossier City, LA
On average, trips departing from Bossier City, LA run 235 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 23m. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 345 miles (6h 37m), while the shortest is just 30 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Bossier City, LA most often head toward Barataria, LA (344.5 mi, 6h 37m), Bourg, LA (324.6 mi, 6h 2m), Bridge City, LA (323.8 mi, 6h 3m), Saint Rose, LA (317.6 mi, 5h 53m), and Kenner, LA (315.6 mi, 5h 48m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
For the average 235-mile drive from Bossier City, LA, expect to burn about 9.3 gallons of fuel one way at 25 MPG. Check local pump prices before you go to lock in your budget.
Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 28 mapped routes leaving Bossier City, LA and 52 routes heading into Bossier City, LA, covering 80 total connections. Distances range from 30 to 345 miles.
The longest mapped route from Bossier City, LA covers 345 miles and takes approximately 6h 37m. Shorter options start at just 30 miles.
The average route from Bossier City, LA runs about 235 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 23m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
The most popular road trip destinations from Bossier City, LA include Barataria, LA, Bourg, LA, Bridge City, LA and Saint Rose, LA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Traveler Guide to Bossier City, LA
Bossier City is the second-largest city in Northern Louisiana and the largest city in Bossier Parish. Home to Barksdale Air Force Base, which hosts several Air Force commands, as well as the backup landing site of Air Force One, Bossier City's recent history revolves largely around the U.S. military. In addition, most of the casinos in the Ark-La-Tex (the three-states region where Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas intersect) are within the corporate limits of Bossier City.
Bossier City is on the east bank of the Red River and faces Shreveport to the west. The city is home to several casinos and a horse-race track. In fact, most of the casinos in the Shreveport area are actually inside the city of Bossier City, including the "riverboat" casinos; Boomtown, DiamondJack, Horseshoe, and Margaritaville. In addition, Harrah's Louisiana Downs racetrack has a casino next to the track. Between Margaritaville and Horseshoe is the Louisiana Boardwalk shopping and entertainment center with a movie theater and a Bass Pro Shop. While the town was founded in the 1800s around the same time as Shreveport, it remained a sleepy bedroom community of Shreveport, the latter remaining the economic center of the area, until the 1930s. Around this time, Barksdale Air Force Base was founded in the city, which led to an increase in population and commercial business. The growing importance of Barksdale often meant simultaneous growth for Bossier City as well. One of the largest military aircraft in the world, the B-52 Stratofortress, has several units based at Barksdale. In the 1990s, the first casinos came to this area and is where most of the gaming remains in the area. Bossier City has also become the home for many prior Shreveport residents, looking to escape the problem of the growing crime rate on the west bank of the Red River.
1 Barksdale Global Power Museum, 88 Shreveport Rd, ☏ +1 318-752-0055. Daily 9:30AM-4PM. Museum dedicated to the Air Force bombers and many of the Air Force's commands. Multiple exhibits and full size aircraft on display. Contains a gift shop with Air Force memorabilia. NOTE: This museum is on an active base of the United States Air Force and has extremely strict entrance requirements. Only active duty members of the United States military have free access to the base. As of 2025, non-US military visitors must fill out a form for a background check and send to base security no less than 30 days before their planned visit. This form is available on the museum's website. However, it should be noted that as of February 2025, museum entrance forms are very low priority for base security and can take several months to receive any kind of acknowledgement, either for approval or denial. (updated Feb 2025) 2 Cross on the Hill, 700 US-80, Haughton. 199-foot cross near the intersections of I-20, I-220, and US-80. One of the tallest crosses in America. Cross is lit up at night and makes for a good photo opportunity. (updated Aug 2018) 3 Mardi Gras Museum, 2101 E. Texas St., ☏ +1 318-741-9164. (updated Aug 2018) 4 Red River National Wildlife Refuge, ☏ +1 318 742-1219. Daily, Daylight hours. Visitor Center: M-F 8AM-4PM, Sa 10AM-4PM, Su M-4PM. Weekend hours may vary due to volunteer staffing. (updated Mar 2018)
Bossier City, along with Shreveport, is a regional home of gaming in the Ark-La-Tex region, and often attracts visitors from as far away as Oklahoma City or the Texas Panhandle. Most of the casinos offer the usual fare of slot machines, table games, and lotteries. All contain impressive dining and lodging. Most of the casinos are along the Red River, with the exception of Louisiana Downs, which is also a racetrack, and sits near the intersection of Interstates 20 and 220. 1 Boomtown Casino Hotel, 300 Riverside Dr, ☏ +1 318-746-0711. (updated Dec 2021) 2 Horseshoe Bossier City, 711 Horseshoe Blvd, toll-free: +1-800-895-0711. (updated Jun 2020) 3 Margaritaville Resort Casino, 777 Margaritaville Way, ☏ +1 318 698-7177, toll-free: +1-855-346-2489, [email protected]. (updated Dec 2021) 4 Louisiana Downs (formerly Harrah's), 8000 East Texas St, ☏ +1 318 742-5555, [email protected]. Live racing, simulcasting, sportsbook, and slots. (updated Mar 2025)
1 Johnny's Pizza House, 4100 Barksdale Blvd., ☏ +1 318-752-1222. Su-Th 9AM-11PM, F Sa 9AM-midnight. Locally based pizza chain that serves a unique combination of both pizza and New Orleans style cuisine, including muffalettas. Alcohol served on premises. (updated Aug 2018)
1 Flying Heart Brewing & Pub, 700 Barksdale Blvd (within 4 blocks walk of the Horseshoe Casino), ☏ +1 318-584-7039. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-8PM. Brewpub in the East Bank District. Selection of half a dozen brews made on site. Excellent dining menu. (updated Aug 2018)
The casino resorts listed above have their own lodging. 1 Comfort Inn, 2717 Village Lane, ☏ +1 318-742-7890. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Clean hotel with pool, cable, and Wi-Fi. Pet-friendly. Close to restaurants and shopping mall. $65 and up. (updated Aug 2018)
As Bossier City is directly across the river from Shreveport, most methods of transportation that serve Shreveport also serve Bossier City. The nearest commercial airport is across the river in Shreveport (SHV IATA), about 9 miles from the city center of Bossier City. This is the gateway for most visitors arriving in Bossier City by airplane. From the airport in Shreveport, rental cars as well as rideshare/taxi services are available to provide transportation into Bossier City. Interstate 20, an east-west route between Dallas and Jackson, Mississippi, passes through Shreveport. US Highway 71 enters the city from the south, coming from Natchitoches and Alexandria and merges with I-20, just before crossing into Shreveport to the west. US Highway 80 is an east-west route that is parallel to Interstate 20 for its entire length in Louisiana, never more than 10 miles from the interstate highway at any point. Entering Bossier City from the east near Harrah's Casino, it passes much of the suburban development of Bossier City and merges with US 79 just before crossing the Red River into downtown Shreveport. The route is considered a historic US Highway, and is also a Louisiana-designated scenic byway. Louisiana Highway 3 is a north-south route that terminates in Bossier City.
The city is very easily navigable by car, and many destinations will be within very close proximity of Interstates 20 and 220, as well as US Highway 71. Barksdale Boulevard is also an important street used by visitors and residents alike, as it passes within the 5-block East Bank District, running east from the Horseshoe Casino, and is home to various restaurants, arts dealers, and a small brewpub. The same public transportation system that serves Shreveport also serves Bossier City. However, the portion of the system in Bossier City is not nearly as extensive. There are only 3 routes in the city and they do not serve all destinations. It may be prudent to take a bus to as close to your destination as possible, and then hail a rideshare or a taxi to continue on to your destination. This will be most notable with any destinations south of Interstate 20. Due to the size of Bossier City, walking is only recommended in the vicinity of the casinos and the Louisiana Boardwalk outlet mall on the Red River. It is also possible to walk in the compact East Bank District, and may be more beneficial than driving in this area. Most other attractions and destinations are several miles apart.
Travel tips adapted from Bossier City on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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