Origin
Alexandria, LA
Late night in Alexandria on Tuesday
Local time
4:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alexandria, LA to Old Jefferson, LA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
135.2 mi
218 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 32m
★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alexandria, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Old Jefferson, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Alexandria to Old Jefferson is 135.2 miles and takes about 2h 42m via Martin Luther King, Jr Highway and US 190, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making it a straightforward, single-day excursion. It's a relatively short drive, offering flexibility for when you want to depart and how you choose to spend your time en route.
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
67.6 miles from Alexandria, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Luther King, Jr Highway | 64.8 mi | 1h 5m |
| US 190 | 49.5 mi | 1h 3m |
| I 10 | 7.6 mi | 9m |
| LA 415 Spur | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Jefferson Highway | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Airline Highway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| West Florida Republic Parkway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Murray Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
— 64.8 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, LA and Old Jefferson, 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
65 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
6
Keep slight left at fork
362 ft
·
9 sec
Toward US 190 East: Baton Rouge
7
Merge onto US 190
49 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
US 190
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
LA 415 Spur
9
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Baton Rouge
10
Merge onto I 10
7.6 mi
·
9 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 159
Toward I 12 East: Hammond
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on I 12
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Florida Republic Parkway
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
Toward US 61 South: Airline Highway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto US 61
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Airline Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto LA 73
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Jefferson Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Continue on LA 73
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Jefferson Highway
17
Turn left onto Director Drive
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Director Drive
18
Turn right onto President Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
President Drive
19
Turn left onto Chairman Avenue
337 ft
·
16 sec
·
Chairman Avenue
20
Turn right onto Associate Drive
41 ft
·
1 sec
·
Associate Drive
21
Arrive at destination
Associate Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 42m drive time, leaving Alexandria in the morning allows ample time to reach Old Jefferson with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $20, this is an easy same-day trip. You'll spend a significant portion of the drive on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway, so be prepared for that longer stretch before transitioning to other roads. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach your destination, though the overall cost is quite low.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.6 miles from Alexandria, LA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.8 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 30 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.6 miles or 1h 11m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Old Jefferson, 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 135.2 miles and 2h 42m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway for about 64.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67.6 miles from Alexandria, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Martin Luther King, Jr Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.8 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 65.6 and 132.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
65.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
6
66.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
US 190
Merge onto US 190
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
127.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 12 East: Hammond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 159
Toward I 12 East: Hammond
6
129.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 61 South: Airline Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 61 South: Airline Highway
6
132.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
|
LA 73 / Jefferson Highway
Turn left onto LA 73 / Jefferson Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.42 one way
$40.84 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $22.41 | $44.83 |
| premium | $4.56 | $24.27 | $48.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.85 | $59.70 |
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: 47.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.6 | 0 | $14.20 | $6.49 |
| Efficient EV | 33.8 | 0 | $11.83 | $5.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.1 | 0 | $18.93 | $8.65 |
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.
Destination
Old Jefferson, LA
Late night in Old Jefferson on Tuesday
Local time
4:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°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
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 42m 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 a mixed highway and surface road experience, with 46% of the drive on major highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 64.8 miles on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway. Expect the highway sections to transition into surface roads, offering a change in driving pace. The number of exits and the varying road types mean you'll experience both cruising and more local traffic.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.8 mi on Martin Luther King, Jr Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 65.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 135.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 65.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.2 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
108 ft
21 ft
Total Climb
59 ft
Total Descent
107 ft
Highest Point
108 ft
~19.3 mi in
Elevation Range
87 ft
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 Old Jefferson, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Opelousas along the way.
Opelousas
65.6 mi in
|
~1h 8m
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
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 42m. Total distance: 135.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (46%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.8 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 Old Jefferson, 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: at 65.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.2 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Old Jefferson, 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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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