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
19
Shortest
3.5h
With Parks Nearby
19
Full-day getaway
Elton, LA
3h 30m175.2 mi one way
Lake Charles, LA
3h 53m205.9 mi one way
For a longer day trip or an overnight, Lake Charles is 3.9 hours away. This route is mostly highway and offers access to New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, distinguishing it from closer destinations with fewer park options.
Marksville, LA
3h 28m163.7 mi one way
Weekend trip
16 total in this range
West Monroe, LA
5h 15m268.9 mi one way
West Monroe is a substantial 5.3-hour drive, making it a true destination trip. This route features mixed highway and surface roads and uniquely offers access to both New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and Poverty Point National Monument.
Bossier City, LA
6h 2m326.3 mi one way
Ruston, LA
5h 49m297.7 mi one way
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.
Browse by Mood
West Monroe, LA
5h 15m268.9 mi one way
Bossier City, LA
6h 2m326.3 mi one way
Ruston, LA
5h 49m297.7 mi one way
Red Chute, LA
6h 13m333.9 mi one way
Bossier City, LA
6h 2m326.3 mi one way
Ruston, LA
5h 49m297.7 mi one way
Campti, LA
5h 12m271.3 mi one way
Lake Charles, LA
3h 53m205.9 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.