Arnaudville to Bossier City is 206.2 miles and takes about 3h 40m via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, taking you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Given its mostly surface road profile and manageable distance, this route is well-suited for a single-day drive. It's a straightforward path that avoids extensive highway time, making it a relaxed option for getting between these two points. Plan for a day of local cruising rather than high-speed travel.
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
103.1 miles from Arnaudville, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
194.8 mi
3h 19m
State Route 93
3.2 mi
5m
Bayou Courtableau Highway
3.1 mi
5m
Purple Heart Recipients Highway
1.5 mi
2m
East Martin Luther King Jr Drive
1.2 mi
2m
Martin Luther King Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
West Martin Luther King Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Barksdale Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 194.8 mi, about 3h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arnaudville, LA and Bossier City, LA.
1
Start on Front Street
132 ft·8 sec·Front Street
2
Turn right onto LA 31; LA 347
110 ft·7 sec·Fuselier Street
3
Turn left onto LA 31
365 ft·8 sec·State Route 31
4
Turn right onto LA 93
3.1 mi·5 min·Bayou Courtableau Highway
5
Continue on LA 93
3.2 mi·5 min·State Route 93
6
Continue on LA 93
0.3 mi·26 sec·Martin Luther King Drive
7
Continue on LA 93
1.2 mi·2 min·East Martin Luther King Jr Drive
8
At end of road, turn left onto LA 93
231 ft·4 sec·Charles Avenue
9
Continue on LA 93
0.2 mi·18 sec·West Martin Luther King Drive
10
Continue on LA 93
427 ft·8 sec·State Highway 93
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Opelousas
12
Merge onto I 49; US 167
195 mi·3 hr 19 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
15
Merge onto I 20
1.5 mi·2 min·Purple Heart Recipients Highway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Traffic Street
17
Continue on Barksdale Boulevard
0.2 mi·36 sec·Barksdale Boulevard
18
Turn left onto Monroe Street
78 ft·2 sec·Monroe Street
19
Arrive at destination
Monroe Street
Trip Plan
Consider starting your drive from Arnaudville in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace on the surface roads. With a total duration of under 4 hours, this route is easily completed in a single day, but you could break it up if desired. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you approach the longer 194.8-mile stretch on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. The fuel cost estimate of $30 suggests most vehicles should be able to complete the trip without major concerns, but it's always wise to check local prices. Since it's mostly surface roads, watch for local speed limits and potential traffic lights through populated areas.
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 103.1 miles from Arnaudville, LA, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 194.8 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 45 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.1 miles or 1h 51m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bossier City, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arnaudville, 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 Arnaudville, LA
This is one driving day of about 206.2 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Arnaudville, 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 Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 194.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 206.2 — 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|LA 31; LA 347 / Fuselier Street
Turn right onto LA 31; LA 347 / Fuselier Street
Navigation decision point
5
8.2 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the ramp toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Opelousas
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Opelousas
6
203.2 mi into trip|~3h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
5
203.5 mi into trip|~3h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 20 East: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
5
206.2 mi into trip|~3h 39m in|Monroe Street
Turn left onto Monroe Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.01 one way
$56.01 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$31.25
$62.51
premium
$4.15
$33.69
$67.38
diesel
$3.75
$30.44
$60.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.9
0
$21.65
$9.90
Efficient EV
51.6
0
$18.04
$8.25
EV Truck/SUV
82.5
1
$28.87
$13.20
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Arnaudville, LA
Morning
in Arnaudville on Sunday
Local time
8:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
N 15 to 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 17 at 5:35AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 3:29AM CDT until October 17 at 3:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Bossier City, LA
Morning
in Bossier City on Sunday
Local time
8:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
N 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 17 at 5:35AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 3:29AM CDT until October 17 at 3:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
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
3h 40m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cane River Creole National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Cane River region is home to a unique culture; the Creoles. Generations of the same families of workers, enslaved and tenant, and owners lived on these lands for over 200 years. The park tells the...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on surface roads, with only a 2% highway share. You'll spend most of your time on local routes, with a significant 194.8-mile stretch on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. Expect a more relaxed pace, typical of navigating through towns and rural areas rather than fast-paced interstate travel. The longest continuous stretch on a single road means you can settle into a rhythm, but be prepared for slower speeds and more frequent intersections compared to a full highway experience.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 194.8 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near LA 31; LA 347 / Fuselier Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 206.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 (LA 31; LA 347 / Fuselier Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 203.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Bossier City is the second-largest city in Northern Louisiana and the largest city in Bossier Parish. Home to Barksdale Air Force Base, which hosts several Air Force commands, as well as the backup landing site of Air Force One, Bossier City's recent history revolves largely around the U.S. military. In addition, most of the casinos in the Ark-La-Tex (the three-states region where Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas intersect) are within the corporate limits of Bossier City.
Top landmarks
•Bossier High School — high school in Bossier City, Louisiana, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 206.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (2%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 194.8 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson 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.
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: near the start (LA 31; LA 347 / Fuselier Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 203.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Bossier City, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
