Central, LA Road Trips
Sitting in the Southeast, Central, LA is a local road trip base with 30 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. Most drives stay under 114 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Routes from Central, LA spread mainly north and east, covering a wide geographic range.
Photo: Jesus Alfonso
Trip Routes
29
Longest Drive
254.1 mi
Bossier City, LA
Quickest Drive
15m
Denham Springs, LA
Plan Around Central, LA
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Central, LA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Central, LA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Central, LA
Central, LA to Shreveport, LA
Central, LA to West Monroe, LA
Central, LA to DeRidder, LA
Central, LA to Harvey, LA
Central, LA to Gretna, LA
Central, LA to Crowley, LA
Central, LA to Waggaman, LA
Central, LA to Covington, LA
Central, LA to Laplace, LA
Central, LA to Donaldsonville, LA
Driving from Central, LA
Expect an average of 114 miles and about 2h 18m behind the wheel when leaving Central, LA. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 253 miles (4h 43m), while the shortest is just 47 miles.
Popular Destinations
The most popular drives from Central, LA include Shreveport, LA (253.4 mi, 4h 43m), West Monroe, LA (189.8 mi, 3h 47m), DeRidder, LA (160.7 mi, 3h 26m), Harvey, LA (93.1 mi, 1h 54m), and Gretna, LA (91.4 mi, 1h 52m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
For the average 114-mile drive from Central, LA, expect to burn about 4.5 gallons of fuel one way at 25 MPG. Check local pump prices before you go to lock in your budget.
Routes mostly head north. Summer trips benefit from long daylight hours, while winter departures should start early to maximize visibility. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 10 mapped routes leaving Central, LA and 20 routes heading into Central, LA, covering 30 total connections. Distances range from 47 to 253 miles.
The longest mapped route from Central, LA covers 253 miles and takes approximately 4h 43m. Shorter options start at just 47 miles.
The average route from Central, LA runs about 114 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 18m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
The most popular road trip destinations from Central, LA include Shreveport, LA, West Monroe, LA, DeRidder, LA and Harvey, LA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Central, LA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
29,603
Median Income
$90,091
Median Home Value
$270,700
Median Age
40.3
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Central, LA
Central is a region in Louisiana. This area is also known as Cenla or the Crossroads.
The Red River flows through the center of this region. Agriculture dominates in the alluvial plain along the Red River where crops such as cotton, soybeans, and corn are grown. The eastern part of Central Louisiana is part of the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain. A large portion of Central Louisiana is covered by Kisatchie National Forest, which contains an abundance of pine trees and rolling hills. Some parts of Central Louisiana are swampy and bayous flow through the area as well. Typical Deep South culture is predominate in this area. However, there is a significant Cajun presence in some areas, including the Alexandria area, and there is a unique Creole culture around Natchitoches.
1 Fort Beauregard, LA-124 & Memorial Drive, Harrisonburg. Sunrise to Sunset. Site of old Army fort and May 1863 skirmish between Union Navy and Confederate garrison during the Civil War. Historical markers, picnic areas, and scenic views of Harrisonburg and the Ouachita River. Free. (updated Aug 2018)
Alexandria International Airport (AEX IATA)
Travel tips adapted from Central (Louisiana) 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.
How Much Time Do You Have?
Pick your one-way drive time and see where you can go from Central, LA.
No routes in this time range.
destinations from Central, LA.
Trips to Central, LA
Bossier City, LA to Central, LA
Grambling, LA to Central, LA
Ruston, LA to Central, LA
Pineville, LA to Central, LA
Oakdale, LA to Central, LA
New Orleans, LA to Central, LA
Eunice, LA to Central, LA
Patterson, LA to Central, LA
Jefferson, LA to Central, LA
Metairie Terrace, LA to Central, LA
Morgan City, LA to Central, LA
Kenner, LA to Central, LA
Nearby Hubs
Other cities within driving distance of Central, LA that also have route pages.
Escape Planner
Where to go from Central, LA?
Curated day trips, weekend getaways, and overnight routes — grouped by how much time you have and the kind of trip you want.
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