Origin
Alexandria, LA
Morning in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
11:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alexandria, LA to Lake Providence, LA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 32m
Distance
165.9 mi
267 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 21m
★
6 AM
3h 33m
8 AM
3h 58m
10 AM
3h 42m
12 PM
3h 39m
3 PM
3h 43m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alexandria, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Lake Providence, LA
Emilio Sánchez Hernández
Trip Overview
Alexandria, LA to Lake Providence, LA is 165.9 miles and takes about 3h 32m via Monroe Highway and I-20, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a mixed drive with plenty of highway time, but also stretches on local roads. It's a straightforward, one-day journey that should be manageable for most drivers. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct path between these two points without extensive detours.
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
83 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Monroe Highway | 82.5 mi | 1h 36m |
| I 20 | 34.2 mi | 36m |
| LA 134 | 23.7 mi | 41m |
| State Route 17 | 9.9 mi | 15m |
| US 165 | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| Pineville Expressway | 4 mi | 5m |
| Lake Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Broadway Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Monroe Highway
— 82.5 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, LA and Lake Providence, LA.
1
Start on Murray Street
159 ft
·
14 sec
·
Murray Street
2
Turn left onto 4th Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
4th Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto LA 1
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Winn Street
4
Turn left onto LA 1
520 ft
·
27 sec
·
Foisy Avenue
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 167 Bus; LA 1; LA 28 Bus
269 ft
·
4 sec
·
Casson Street
6
Take the ramp onto US 167 Bus; LA 28 Bus
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 167 Bus; LA 28 Bus
7
Merge onto US 167; LA 28
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Pineville Expressway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
337 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
10
Merge onto US 165
83 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
Monroe Highway
11
Turn straight onto US 165
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 165
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
14
Merge onto I 20
34 mi
·
36 min
·
I 20
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward LA 17: Delhi, Winnsboro
16
Turn left onto LA 17
239 ft
·
9 sec
·
State Route 17
17
Continue on LA 17
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway Street
18
Continue on LA 17
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
19
Continue on LA 17
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
State Route 17
20
Turn right onto LA 134
24 mi
·
41 min
·
LA 134
21
Continue on LA 134
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Tensas Bayou Road
22
At end of road, turn right onto US 65
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lake Street
23
Arrive at destination
3 ft
·
0 sec
·
US 65
Trip Plan
Given this is a one-day trip of just over 3.5 hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Alexandria in the morning will give you ample time to reach Lake Providence with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimate of around $25, you won't need to over-plan for logistics. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 82.5-mile stretch on Monroe Highway, as services might be less frequent than on the interstate sections.
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 83 miles from Alexandria, LA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 36 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Providence, 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 165.9 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 Monroe Highway for about 82.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83 miles from Alexandria, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Monroe Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
4th Street
Turn left onto 4th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
LA 1 / Winn Street
At end of road, turn right onto LA 1 / Winn Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 167 Bus; LA 1; LA 28 Bus / Casson Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 167 Bus; LA 1; LA 28 Bus / Casson Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
4.8 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
6
5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 165 North: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.05 one way
$50.11 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $27.50 | $55.01 |
| premium | $4.56 | $29.78 | $59.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.63 | $73.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.42 | $7.96 |
| Efficient EV | 41.5 | 0 | $14.52 | $6.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.23 | $10.62 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Lake Providence, LA
Morning in Lake Providence on Sunday
Local time
11:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 5 to 15 mph
8% chance
Live forecast
85°F
Monroe, LA
83 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 32m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a varied experience, with 47% of the route being on highways. You'll encounter a substantial longest stretch of 82.5 miles primarily on Monroe Highway, which means you can settle in for a good period. The profile is described as a 'Mixed drive,' suggesting a blend of faster highway segments and potentially more local road driving as you progress. Be prepared for changes in speed limits and road conditions as you transition between different types of thoroughfares.
47% 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: 82.5 mi on Monroe Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 4th Street.
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 165.9 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (LA 1 / Winn Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (US 167 Bus; LA 1; LA 28 Bus / Casson Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Alexandria, LA to Lake Providence, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Winnsboro along the way.
Winnsboro
128.3 mi in
|
~2h 29m
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 32m. Total distance: 165.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.5 miles on Monroe Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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 Lake Providence, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (LA 1 / Winn Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (US 167 Bus; LA 1; LA 28 Bus / Casson Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Lake Providence, 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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