Traveling from Abita Springs to Monroe covers 248.3 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because this is a manageable distance through the Southeast, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day. Budget approximately $38 for fuel to make the journey between these two Louisiana locales. Since you stay within the same state, the transition is straightforward, though you should prepare for a mix of road types. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a practical connection between the southeastern part of the state and the northern interior.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.2 miles from Abita Springs, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
63.2 mi
1h 12m
Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
56.4 mi
1h
US 84
47.3 mi
55m
US 98
30.1 mi
34m
West Florida Republic Parkway
20.7 mi
22m
I 20
20.3 mi
22m
LA 36
3 mi
4m
South Tyler Street
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
— 63.2 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Abita Springs, LA and Monroe, LA.
1
Start on LA 59
0.1 mi·14 sec·Highway 59
2
Enter roundabout onto LA 36; LA 59
163 ft·2 sec·LA 36; LA 59
3
Continue on LA 36; LA 59
3.0 mi·4 min·LA 36; LA 59
4
At end of road, turn left onto LA 21
0.2 mi·18 sec·Military Road
5
Continue on US 190 Business; LA 21
0.8 mi·1 min·East Boston Street
6
Continue on US 190 Business; LA 21
370 ft·7 sec·East 21st Avenue
7
Turn slight left
186 ft·5 sec
8
Turn slight right
197 ft·3 sec
9
Turn straight onto US 190 Business; LA 21
0.4 mi·45 sec·West 21st Avenue
10
Turn left onto LA 21
2.0 mi·3 min·South Tyler Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on LA 21
1.0 mi·1 min·Highway 21
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 12 West: Hammond
13
Merge onto I 12
21 mi·22 min·West Florida Republic Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 38BToward I 55: JacksonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 55
56 mi·1 hr·Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 98
29 mi·33 min·US 98
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 98; MS 184
0.8 mi·53 sec·US 98; MS 184
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
19
Merge onto US 84
28 mi·32 min·US 84
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
6.0 mi·7 min·US 84
21
Take the exit onto US 84
13 mi·15 min·US 84
22
Continue on US 425; LA 15
63 mi·1 hr 12 min·E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
23
Turn left
0.3 mi·35 sec
24
Merge onto I 20
20 mi·22 min·I 20
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
26
Keep slight right at fork
303 ft·7 sec
27
Turn straight onto US 165 Business; LA 15
0.5 mi·45 sec·Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
28
Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15
0.3 mi·35 sec·North 6th Street
29
Turn left onto US 80; US 165 Business; LA 15
0.1 mi·17 sec·Louisville Avenue
30
Turn left
45 ft·5 sec
31
Turn right
38 ft·2 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the drive takes just under five hours, plan your departure for the morning to ensure you arrive in Monroe with plenty of daylight left. You only need to factor in one major stop to keep your pace steady and comfortable. Because the route is a mix of different road types, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer stretches to avoid unnecessary detours. Take advantage of the flexibility this single-day trip offers by choosing your rest break based on your personal energy levels rather than a rigid schedule. For a smooth experience, ensure you are comfortable navigating both the major highways and the secondary roads that define this 248.3-mile trek.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 124.2 miles from Abita Springs, LA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 55 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.2 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monroe, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Abita Springs, LA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Abita Springs, LA
This is one driving day of about 248.3 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Abita Springs, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North for about 63.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 29.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|LA 36; LA 59
Enter roundabout onto LA 36; LA 59
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
4.7 mi into trip|~7m in|LA 21 / South Tyler Street
Turn left onto LA 21 / South Tyler Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
8 mi into trip|~13m in|I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway
Merge onto I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
28.8 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 55: Jackson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 38B
Toward I 55: Jackson
5
29.2 mi into trip|~37m in|I 55 / Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
Merge onto I 55 / Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.50 one way
$75.00 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$41.17
$82.33
premium
$4.56
$44.57
$89.13
diesel
$5.61
$54.82
$109.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.5
0
$26.07
$11.92
Efficient EV
62.1
0
$21.73
$9.93
EV Truck/SUV
99.3
1
$34.76
$15.89
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Abita Springs, LA
Late night
in Abita Springs on Tuesday
Local time
3:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Monroe, LA
Late night
in Monroe on Tuesday
Local time
3:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
S 5 to 10 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
21 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 45m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Poverty Point National Monument
National Monument
Now a nearly forgotten culture, Poverty Point at its peak 3,000 years ago was part of an enormous trading network that stretched for hundreds of miles across the continent. It was - and is - also an e...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 222.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed drive profile, with highway travel accounting for 50% of the total distance. You will spend a significant portion of your time navigating E. E. Wallace Boulevard North, which includes the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 63.2 miles. Beyond this primary artery, you will transition onto the Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway and segments of US 84. Expect the road quality to shift as you move away from the starting region, alternating between faster highway speeds and more localized driving conditions. Staying alert is key as the road character evolves throughout the nearly five-hour journey.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.2 mi on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near LA 36; LA 59.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 248.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (LA 36; LA 59): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.7 miles (LA 21 / South Tyler Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles (I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Abita Springs is a town in Louisiana, in the Piney Woods of St. Tammany Parish, part of the Lake Pontchartrain North Shore area. It's 10-minutes drive east of Covington, an hour east of Baton Rouge, and an hour north of New Orleans.
Monroe is the third-largest city in Northern Louisiana, largest city in Northeast Louisiana, and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish. It is also home to the University of Louisiana at Monroe and their sports team, the ULM Warhawks.
Founded as Fort Miro, it took on the name of Monroe after the paddle-wheeler James Monroe that came to town in the early 19th century, and, by extrapolation, the former president James Monroe. An interesting bit of trivia is that Monroe was once the headquarters of Delta Airlines, which got its start as the crop dusting operation Delta Dusters in nearby Tallulah.
Slathered down with highly religious views and the effects of years of racial inequality, Monroe can have a rather gritty appearance imbued with a fragrant aroma from its paper mill, but, well, take heart, Wikivoyage traveler.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 248.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.2 miles on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Monroe, LA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (LA 36; LA 59): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.7 miles (LA 21 / South Tyler Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles (I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Poverty Point National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Monroe, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
