Trip from Alexandria, LA to Lafayette, LA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 35m

Distance

88.4 mi

142 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min

4 AM

1h 28m ★

6 AM

1h 35m

8 AM

1h 49m

10 AM

1h 40m

12 PM

1h 39m

3 PM

1h 41m

5 PM

1h 49m

8 PM

1h 31m

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

Trip Overview

This 88.6-mile drive from Alexandria, LA to Lafayette, LA is a straightforward, one-day excursion. Expect the journey to take about 1 hour and 18 minutes, making it an easy trip to complete without needing an overnight stay. You'll primarily be navigating local roads, including Thorn Road and Martin Luther King, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this short trip is around $14. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route offers a relaxed pace for exploring between these two Louisiana locations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

44.2 miles from Alexandria, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway	76.4 mi	1h 17m
Veterans Memorial Expressway	8.8 mi	9m
Northwest Evangeline Thruway	1.9 mi	3m
Murray Street	0.4 mi	1m
Rue Jefferson	0.3 mi	<1m
Jefferson Boulevard	0.2 mi	<1m
Thorn Road	0.2 mi	<1m
Rue Vermilion Ouest	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Martin Luther King, Jr Highway — 76.4 mi, about 1h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Murray Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Murray Street

Turn left onto Thorn Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Thorn Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Merge onto I 49; US 71 BYP

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

Continue on I 49; US 167

8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Continue on I 49; LA 182

1.9 mi · 3 min · Northwest Evangeline Thruway

Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Jefferson Boulevard

Continue on Rue Jefferson

0.3 mi · 51 sec · Rue Jefferson

Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest

335 ft · 16 sec · Rue Vermilion Ouest

Arrive at destination

Rue Vermilion Ouest

Trip Plan

With a short drive time of just under 1 hour and 18 minutes, this route offers plenty of flexibility for when you depart. Leaving in the morning or mid-afternoon will allow you to avoid potential local traffic, especially as you enter more populated areas. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan to make your own brief pauses as needed for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $14; it's wise to top off before you leave Alexandria to ensure a smooth journey to Lafayette.

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 44.2 miles from Alexandria, LA, or about 46m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.4 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 19 miles or 21m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 44.2 miles or 46m 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 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lafayette, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Alexandria, LA

This is one driving day of about 88.4 miles and 1h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 76.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Opelousas, LA

44 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

Opelousas, LA to Lafayette, LA

23.3 mi · 28m

Pacing Suggestions

Lecompte, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ville Platte, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44.2 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 76.4 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lafayette, Louisiana

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13375340585

Visit website

Prejean's

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lafayette, Louisiana

0.3 mi

Vestal Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lafayette, Louisiana

0.1 mi

Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13375340585

Visit website

Prejean's

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+13378963247

Visit website

Vestal Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route $100 or ab

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 4–9 pm

+13375340682

Visit website

Vermilionville Historic Village

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13372334077

Visit website

Bon Temps Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13377068850

Visit website

T-Coon's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13372330422

Visit website

Bangkok Thai Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+13379892009

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

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 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13374826858

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Children's Museum of Acadiana

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13372328500

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

Lafayette Science Museum

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13372915544

Visit website

The Lafayette Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13372342208

Visit website

Girard Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

Visit website

Moncus Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+13375001177

Visit website

Acadiana Park Nature Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13372918448

Escape Room Lafayette

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 12–9 pm

+13373712883

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 5

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 88.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | Thorn Road

Turn left onto Thorn Road

Navigation decision point

0.6 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 49; US 71 BYP / Martin Luther King, Jr Highway

Merge onto I 49; US 71 BYP / Martin Luther King, Jr Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining

87.8 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in | Jefferson Boulevard

Turn right onto Jefferson Boulevard

Navigation decision point

88.4 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in | Rue Vermilion Ouest

Turn right onto Rue Vermilion Ouest

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.35 one way

$26.70 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$14.66	$29.31
premium	$4.56	$15.87	$31.73
diesel	$5.61	$19.52	$39.04

Estimated Tolls: $0.13

Northwest Evangeline Thruway (1.9 mi) $0.13

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

$13

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	26.5	$9.28	$4.24
Efficient EV	22.1	$7.74	$3.54
EV Truck/SUV	35.4	$12.38	$5.66

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (68% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Alexandria, LA

Late night in Alexandria on Tuesday

Local time

4:03 AM

CDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lafayette, LA

Late night in Lafayette on Tuesday

Local time

4:03 AM

CDT

Current temp

86°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

1 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

1h 35m 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?

This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction rather than long, straight stretches. With 0% highway share, you'll be on surface streets for the entire 88.6 miles. There isn't a 'longest stretch' to speak of in terms of uninterrupted highway, as the journey is composed of a series of connected local roads. Be prepared for frequent adjustments as you navigate through towns and communities.

Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

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

Longest single stretch: 76.4 mi on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Alexandria, LA to Lafayette, LA is easy. At 1h 35m with 10% 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 0.8 miles (I 49; US 71 BYP / Martin Luther King, Jr Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining.

About the Cities

Starting in Alexandria, LA

Full guide →

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

• Arna Wendell Bontemps House — historic house in Louisiana, United States
• Bolton High School — high school in Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana

Arriving in Lafayette, LA

Full guide →

Lafayette is a city in Louisiana. It's the unofficial capital of Acadiana or Cajun Country. This flourishing moderate sized city is home to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Music and dancing is an integral part of community life. Several restaurants and dance halls thrive in the area and the city hosts several musical festivals throughout the year.

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 1h 35m. Total distance: 88.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (10%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 76.4 miles on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.13 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.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lafayette, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Alexandria, LA to Lafayette, LA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant

Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant

Prejean's

Vestal Restaurant

Vermilionville Historic Village

Bon Temps Grill

T-Coon's Restaurant

Bangkok Thai Restaurant

The Cottage Restaurant

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Nissan Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Red E Charging Station

Children's Museum of Acadiana

Alexandria Museum of Art

Lafayette Science Museum

The Lafayette Museum

Girard Park

Moncus Park

Acadiana Park Nature Station

Escape Room Lafayette

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Alexandria, LA

Lafayette, LA

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 35m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Starting in Alexandria, LA

Arriving in Lafayette, LA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

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

How this page is built

Explore More

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