This 107.9-mile journey from Alexandria to New Iberia, Louisiana, is an ideal one-day road trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 2 minutes to complete. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast region. The drive primarily utilizes local roads like Martin Luther King, Jr Highway and LA 182, with Veterans Memorial Expressway also part of the route. Expect a local feel with frequent turns rather than long stretches of highway driving. This route is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, allowing ample time for exploration at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54 miles from Alexandria, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
76.4 mi
1h 17m
LA 182
12.3 mi
18m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.8 mi
9m
US 90
6.3 mi
8m
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
2.2 mi
3m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
1.2 mi
1m
Murray Street
0.4 mi
1m
Thorn Road
0.2 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 New Iberia, 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
6.3 mi·8 min·US 90; LA 182
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182
0.5 mi·33 sec·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182
0.7 mi·46 sec·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
10
Take the exit onto LA 182
12 mi·18 min·LA 182
11
Turn right onto Julia Street
207 ft·9 sec·Julia Street
12
Arrive at destination
Julia Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration and the "turn-heavy local drive" character, starting your trip in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. While there are no specific stops mandated by the route data, consider building in short breaks as needed, especially during the 76.4-mile stretch on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $17 for the 107.9 miles; ensure you're topped off before departing Alexandria. The flexibility of a shorter drive like this means you can easily adjust your pace based on how you feel.
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 54 miles from Alexandria, LA, or about 56m 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 24 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54 miles or 56m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Iberia, 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 107.9 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 107.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Thorn Road
Turn left onto Thorn Road
Navigation decision point
3
0.6 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
4
94.4 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
94.9 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
107.9 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|Julia Street
Turn right onto Julia Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.30 one way
$32.59 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$17.89
$35.78
premium
$4.56
$19.37
$38.73
diesel
$5.61
$23.82
$47.65
Estimated Tolls: $0.20
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.2 mi)$0.15
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
(0.7 mi)$0.05
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
$16
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.4
0
$11.33
$5.18
Efficient EV
27
0
$9.44
$4.32
EV Truck/SUV
43.2
0
$15.11
$6.91
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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 18, 2026
Origin
Alexandria, LA
Night
in Alexandria on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph54% chanceLive forecast
Destination
New Iberia, LA
Night
in New Iberia on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph16% chanceLive 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
2h 2m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive leans heavily towards a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, with only 25% of the route on highways. You'll find yourself navigating local roads for significant portions of the trip, which means a more engaged driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 76.4 miles on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before you encounter more turns. Be prepared for a dynamic route that requires your attention as you transition between different local thoroughfares.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
12 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?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Thorn Road.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 2m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 94.4 miles (US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
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 $0.20 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, 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 0.4 miles (Thorn Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 94.4 miles (US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at New Iberia, LA before heading back.
