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Trip from Alexandria, LA to Gray, LA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 27m

Distance

184.3 mi

297 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 15m ★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 52m
10 AM
3h 36m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 37m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 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

Downtown Gray, LA, LA

Gray, LA

Israyosoy S.

Trip Overview

This 184.3-mile drive from Alexandria, LA to Gray, LA is a feasible one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 27 minutes. You'll primarily navigate US 90, Martin Luther King, Jr. Highway, and the Veterans Memorial Expressway, with 54% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this Southeast Louisiana excursion is around $28. The mixed drive profile suggests a journey that balances faster-paced highway travel with potentially more local road sections. This route offers a straightforward path through the region, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

92.1 miles from Alexandria, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 90 87.8 mi 1h 37m
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway 76.4 mi 1h 17m
Veterans Memorial Expressway 10.6 mi 11m
Northwest Evangeline Thruway 2.2 mi 3m
North Morgan Avenue 1.6 mi 2m
Ambassador Caffery Parkway 1.5 mi 2m
West Park Avenue 1.3 mi 2m
St Etienne Road 1 mi 4m
Longest stretch: US 90 — 87.8 mi, about 1h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Murray Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Murray Street
2

Turn left onto Thorn Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Thorn Road
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
4

Merge onto I 49; US 71 BYP

76 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
5

Continue on I 49; US 167

8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway
6

Continue on I 49; LA 182

2.2 mi · 3 min · Northwest Evangeline Thruway
7

Continue on US 90; LA 182

6.1 mi · 8 min · US 90; LA 182
8

Turn right onto North Morgan Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Morgan Avenue
9

Turn left onto LA 3073

1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway
10

Turn right onto East Fairfield Drive

0.1 mi · 20 sec · East Fairfield Drive
11

Turn left onto St Etienne Road

1.0 mi · 4 min · St Etienne Road
12

At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Young Street
13

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1

0.5 mi · 31 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 12 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
15

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 11 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
16

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
17

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.8 mi · 53 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
18

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

82 mi · 1 hr 28 min · US 90
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
20

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 30 sec
21

Turn left onto LA 24

1.3 mi · 2 min · West Park Avenue
22

Turn right onto LA 316

27 ft · 0 sec · Bayou Blue Road
23

Arrive at destination

LA 316

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 27-minute drive, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow ample time for any unscheduled pauses. With a longest stretch of 87.8 miles, plan for one primary stop roughly midway to refuel and stretch your legs, keeping the $28 fuel budget in mind. As the route is manageable within a single day, you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best. A specific tip for this drive is to be aware of potential traffic on US 90 as you approach more populated areas closer to Gray.

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 92.1 miles from Alexandria, LA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.8 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 41 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 92.1 miles or 1h 39m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gray, 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 184.3 miles and 3h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Alexandria, 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 US 90 for about 87.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lafayette, LA

92 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.

Popular next leg

Lafayette, LA to Gray, LA

96.8 mi · 1h 55m

Pacing Suggestions

Broussard, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lafayette, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 92.1 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 US 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.8 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

T-Coon's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lafayette, Louisiana

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 92.1

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13372330422

Visit website

Bon Temps Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lafayette, Louisiana

2.6 mi

Vermilionville Historic Village

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lafayette, Louisiana

2.8 mi

T-Coon's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 92.1

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13372330422

Visit website

Bon Temps Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 92.1

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13377068850

Visit website

Vermilionville Historic Village

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 92.1

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13372334077

Visit website

The Cottage Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13184484220

Visit website

Annie Mae's Soul Food Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 131.6

Franklin, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13374717016

The Creek Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 13.2

Woodworth, Louisiana

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+13184490674

Brocatos Breakfast & Lunch

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: 6–9:30 am

+13184437520

Visit website

Prejean's

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 79

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+13378963247

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

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

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 65.8

Opelousas, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 65.8

Opelousas, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 65.8

Opelousas, Louisiana

+33172676914

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

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 65.8

Opelousas, Louisiana

+18887584389

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 92.1

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13374826858

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 65.8

Opelousas, 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

Cajun Coast Tourism

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 158

Morgan City, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19853808224

Visit website

Explore Houma

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 184.3

Gray, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19858682732

Visit website

Lake End Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 158

Morgan City, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

Visit website

Girard Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 92.1

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

Visit website

Da Swamp

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 184.3

Houma, Louisiana

Hours: 4–8 pm

+19853333013

Visit website

Moncus Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 92.1

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+13375001177

Visit website

Children's Museum of Acadiana

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 92.1

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13372328500

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 94.2 and 99.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
94.2 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | North Morgan Avenue

Turn right onto North Morgan Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
98.4 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in | LA 92-1 / Young Street

At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1 / Young Street

Navigation decision point

4
99 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in | US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
99.6 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in | US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
99.8 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in | US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.83 one way

$55.67 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $30.55 $61.11
premium $4.56 $33.08 $66.16
diesel $5.61 $40.69 $81.38

Estimated Tolls: $0.15

Northwest Evangeline Thruway (2.2 mi) $0.15

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 64.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 55.3 0 $19.35 $8.85
Efficient EV 46.1 0 $16.13 $7.37
EV Truck/SUV 73.7 0 $25.80 $11.80

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

22 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

Night in Alexandria on Saturday

Local time

11:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gray, LA

Night in Gray on Saturday

Local time

11:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live 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

5 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

3h 27m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive offers a mixed character, with a substantial 54% on highways, suggesting stretches of consistent speed. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted segment of 87.8 miles on US 90, which will likely feel like the core of your journey. As you progress, expect the road to transition, potentially moving from more direct highway travel to sections that involve more local road navigation. This blend means you'll experience both efficient driving and moments requiring more attention to local conditions.

54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.8 mi on US 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 94.2 miles in near North Morgan Avenue.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 184.3 miles you will encounter 18 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 94.2 miles (North Morgan Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 98.4 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point; at 99 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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 3h 27m. Total distance: 184.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 87.8 miles on US 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.15 in tolls one way, starting with Northwest Evangeline Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 94.2 miles (North Morgan Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 98.4 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point; at 99 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Gray, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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