Road Trips from New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is your launchpad for quick escapes and longer explorations across Louisiana. You've got options ranging from under an hour to a full day's drive, with most trips featuring mixed highway and surface roads, and many highlighting access to national parks. Whether you're looking for a short drive to a nearby town or a more substantial journey to a destination with multiple parks, there's a route for your weekend.
Total Routes
14
Shortest
3.5h
With Parks Nearby
14
Full-day getaway
Weekend trip
13 total in this range
Red Chute, LA
6h 13m333.9 mi one way
At 6.2 hours and 333.9 miles, Red Chute is one of the longest drives available. It utilizes mixed highway and surface roads and provides access to two national parks: New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and Cane River Creole National Historical Park.
Zwolle, LA
5h 29m289.8 mi one way
Zwolle is a 5.5-hour drive, spanning 289.8 miles with mixed highway and surface roads. This option includes access to New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and Cane River Creole National Historical Park, offering significant park exploration.
Banks Springs, LA
4h 57m243.5 mi one way
Banks Springs is a 5-hour drive, covering 243.5 miles on mixed highway and surface roads. This route provides access to New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, making it a good choice for a longer drive with park proximity.
Morehouse Parish, LA
5h 32m271.3 mi one way
Ouachita Parish, LA
5h 17m269.6 mi one way
Browse by Mood
Red Chute, LA
6h 13m333.9 mi one way
Zwolle, LA
5h 29m289.8 mi one way
Banks Springs, LA
4h 57m243.5 mi one way
Morehouse Parish, LA
5h 32m271.3 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers mild weather for exploring the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park accessible on many of these drives.
Summer
Summer heat makes the longer, highway-focused drives to places like Lake Charles or Central more appealing for air-conditioned travel.
Fall
Fall's cooler temperatures are ideal for the longer drives, especially those leading to multiple national parks like West Monroe or Red Chute.
Winter
Winter provides comfortable driving conditions for any of these routes, including the longer journeys to northern Louisiana.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the New Orleans, LA city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.