Trip from Alexandria, LA to Eastwood, LA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 26m

Distance

134.7 mi

217 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

2h 16m ★

6 AM

2h 26m

8 AM

2h 46m

10 AM

2h 33m

12 PM

2h 31m

3 PM

2h 34m

5 PM

2h 45m

8 PM

2h 20m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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largest city and parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States

Alexandria, LA

Wikimedia Commons

Eastwood, LA

Daniil Vishnevskiy

Trip Overview

This 134.7-mile drive from Alexandria, LA, to Eastwood, LA, will take approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily travel on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway, Purple Heart Recipients Highway, and Highway 80, with about 67% of the journey on major highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $20. As you journey within the Southeast region, expect a local feel with plenty of turns. With no designated stops in the data, this route offers flexibility for spontaneous breaks.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

67.3 miles from Alexandria, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway	120.5 mi	2h 3m
Purple Heart Recipients Highway	5.3 mi	7m
Highway 80	3.4 mi	5m
East Texas Street	3.1 mi	4m
Industrial Drive	0.5 mi	1m
Murray Street	0.3 mi	1m
10th Street	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Martin Luther King, Jr Highway — 120.5 mi, about 2h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, LA and Eastwood, LA.

Start on Murray Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Murray Street

Turn right onto 10th Street

0.3 mi · 30 sec · 10th Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Merge onto I 49; US 71 BYP; LA 28

120 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Martin Luther King, Jr Highway

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 20 East: Monroe

Merge onto I 20

5.3 mi · 7 min · Purple Heart Recipients Highway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward Industrial Drive, Barksdale AFB

Keep slight left at fork

139 ft · 7 sec

Turn left onto LA 782-2

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Industrial Drive

Continue on Industrial Drive

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Industrial Drive

Turn straight onto US 79; US 80

3.1 mi · 4 min · East Texas Street

Continue on US 79; US 80

3.4 mi · 5 min · Highway 80

Continue on US 79; US 80

104 ft · 10 sec · Highway 80

Arrive at destination

US 79; US 80

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour 26-minute duration and 134.7-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. There are no recommended stops, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. The estimated fuel cost is $20, but it’s always wise to have a buffer. Because much of this route involves local roads with many turns, be prepared for a more engaging driving experience, especially on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway, where you'll experience the longest stretch without a major change in road type. Leaving earlier in the day can help you avoid potential local traffic.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 67.3 miles from Alexandria, LA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.5 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 30 miles or 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 67.3 miles or 1h 10m 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 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eastwood, LA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, LA

This is one driving day of about 134.7 miles and 2h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Alexandria, LA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway for about 120.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Zwolle, LA

67 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Kadesh, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Zwolle, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.3 miles from Alexandria, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Martin Luther King, Jr Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 120.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Outback Steakhouse

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Shreveport, Louisiana

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 115.4

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13188650036

Visit website

Chuck Wagon Crawfish

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shreveport, Louisiana

2.1 mi

Bon Asian Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Shreveport, Louisiana

2.2 mi

Outback Steakhouse

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 115.4

Shreveport, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13188650036

Visit website

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 125

Bossier City, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

2.6 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 105.8

Stonewall, Louisiana

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+18333994638

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 125

Shreveport, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 125

Bossier City, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 57.7

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Pineville, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Alexandria Museum of Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13184433458

Visit website

Gator Country LA Alligator Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 57.7

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13183540106

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 121.4 and 127.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

121.4 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe

121.6 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 20 East: Monroe

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 20 East: Monroe

127.5 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in

Take the exit toward Industrial Drive, Barksdale AFB

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Industrial Drive, Barksdale AFB

127.6 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

127.7 mi into trip | ~2h 15m in | LA 782-2 / Industrial Drive

Turn left onto LA 782-2 / Industrial Drive

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.34 one way

$40.69 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$22.33	$44.66
premium	$4.56	$24.18	$48.35
diesel	$5.61	$29.74	$59.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	40.4	$14.14	$6.47
Efficient EV	33.7	$11.79	$5.39
EV Truck/SUV	53.9	$18.86	$8.62

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (66% 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Alexandria, LA

Late night in Alexandria on Sunday

Local time

3:12 AM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Eastwood, LA

Late night in Eastwood on Sunday

Local time

3:12 AM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

57°F

Zwolle, LA

67 mi in

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

2 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

2h 26m on the road

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Cane River Creole National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The Cane River region is home to a unique culture; the Creoles. Generations of the same families of workers, enslaved and tenant, and owners lived on these lands for over 200 years. The park tells the...

5 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 41.8

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this route is best described as a 'turn-heavy local drive.' While you'll spend a good portion on highways, the 34% share of non-highway driving means you'll encounter more frequent turns and varying road conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 120.5 miles on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitioning to more local segments. This mix suggests a drive that requires your attention, moving from faster highway speeds to more engaged local road navigation.

Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 120.5 mi on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 121.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 134.7 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 121.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 127.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Alexandria, LA and Eastwood, LA, road signs point toward Monroe and Barksdale Afb.

Monroe

121.4 mi in | ~2h 5m

Barksdale Afb

127.5 mi in | ~2h 14m

About the Cities

Starting in Alexandria, LA

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 134.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 120.5 miles on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Eastwood, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Eastwood, LA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Alexandria, LA to Eastwood, LA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Outback Steakhouse

Outback Steakhouse

Chuck Wagon Crawfish

Bon Asian Cafe

Sabores | Dominican Bar & Grill Restaurant

Whataburger

Pita De' Novo

The Cottage Restaurant

Taqueria San Miguel

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Blink Charging Station

Alexandria Museum of Art

Gator Country LA Alligator Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Alexandria, LA

Eastwood, LA

Same local time

2 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 26m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Cane River Creole National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Alexandria, LA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

More from Alexandria, LA

More trips to Eastwood, LA