The Cottage Restaurant
Near the start, short detour
Alexandria, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+13184484220
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
81.3 mi
131 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alexandria, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Crowley, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Stretching 81.3 miles across Southeast Louisiana, the drive from Alexandria to Crowley is a straightforward journey typically taking about 1 hour and 53 minutes. Because of the manageable distance and duration, this makes for an easy day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $11 on fuel for the one-way trek. Navigating via Thorn Road, Martin Luther King Drive, and US 167, you will find this route keeps you on local paths rather than major interstates. It is a practical choice if you are looking to move between these two cities without the pressure of a long-haul road trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.7 miles from Alexandria, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 167 | 25.7 mi | 38m |
| Martin Luther King, Jr Highway | 23.1 mi | 23m |
| Crowley Eunice Highway | 15.6 mi | 23m |
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| State Route 13 | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Aymond Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Parkerson Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North C C Duson Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, LA and Crowley, LA.
Start on Murray Street
Turn left onto Thorn Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 49; US 71 BYP
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 167
Continue on LA 13
Continue on LA 13
Continue on LA 13
Continue on LA 13
Turn left onto LA 13
Turn right onto LA 13
Continue on LA 13
Continue on LA 13
At end of road, turn right onto LA 13
Turn right onto West Hutchinson Avenue
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning formal stops given the direct nature of the route, allowing you to complete the drive in one go. Budget approximately $11 for fuel to ensure you are covered for the full 81.3 miles. Keep in mind that because this route relies entirely on local roads, you should account for potential traffic signals and slower local speed limits that differ from standard highway travel. Staying alert for those frequent turns on Thorn Road will be your best strategy for a smooth arrival in Crowley.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 18 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.7 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crowley, LA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Alexandria, LA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alexandria, LA
This is one driving day of about 81.3 miles and 1h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 40.7 miles from Alexandria, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop
Alexandria, Louisiana
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+13184484220
The Creek Restaurant
Woodworth, Louisiana
Near the start, short detour
Alexandria, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+13184484220
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Woodworth, Louisiana
Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm
+13184490674
Near the start, ~9 min detour
Alexandria, Louisiana
Hours: 6–9:30 am
+13184437520
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Alexandria, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Alexandria, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Pineville, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Alexandria, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13184499000
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Pineville, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Alexandria, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Alexandria, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Eunice, Louisiana
Near the start, right off the route
Alexandria, Louisiana
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13184433458
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Eunice, Louisiana
Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm
+13374576540
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 81.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Thorn Road
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward US 167: Meeker, Turkey Creek
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
At end of road, turn right onto LA 13 / Northwest Court Circle
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto West Hutchinson Avenue
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$12.28 one way
$24.56 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $13.48 | $26.96 |
| premium | $4.56 | $14.59 | $29.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.95 | $35.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.54 | $3.90 |
| Efficient EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.11 | $3.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.38 | $5.20 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (64% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Alexandria on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Crowley on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this 81.3-mile trip. With 0% highway share, the character of the road is defined by its local streets and secondary routes. You will not encounter any long, uninterrupted highway stretches, as the drive is characterized by frequent turns and transitions. Navigating through Thorn Road, Martin Luther King Drive, and US 167 requires your full attention as you shift through the local landscape. It is a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged with the road surface and local traffic patterns throughout the entire duration.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Thorn Road.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Alexandria, LA to Crowley, LA is easy. At 1h 53m with 37% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Thorn Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Alexandria, LA to Crowley, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Turkey Creek along the way.
Turkey Creek
Founded 1818
Alexandria is a historic city, rich in Louisiana history. Civil War historic sites along with easy access to numerous historic locations and Kisatchie National Forest sites make it a city ideal for history enthusiasts and sportsmen.
Top landmarks
Founded 1887
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 81.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (37%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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