Traveling from Ball to New Orleans covers 211.3 miles and takes approximately 4 hours and 7 minutes of driving time. Since the journey is relatively short, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $32 on fuel for the one-way trek. The route connects two points within the Southeast region of Louisiana, transitioning from the central part of the state toward the southern coast. Because this drive is straightforward, it serves as a reliable connection for those moving between these two areas. Plan your schedule accordingly to account for the total time spent on the road.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
105.6 miles from Ball, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
79.1 mi
1h 30m
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
64.5 mi
1h 5m
US 190
49.5 mi
1h 3m
Monroe Highway
4.2 mi
6m
Pineville Expressway
4.2 mi
5m
LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi
5m
Pontchartrain Expressway
3.5 mi
4m
US 167
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 79.1 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ball, LA and New Orleans, LA.
1
Start on US 165; LA 1204
192 ft·8 sec·Monroe Highway
2
Continue on US 165; LA 1204
4.1 mi·6 min·Monroe Highway
3
Turn left
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
4
Merge onto US 167
4.2 mi·5 min·Pineville Expressway
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
0.8 mi·1 min·US 167
Toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
6
Merge onto I 49; US 167; US 71 BYP
64 mi·1 hr 5 min·Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
8
Keep slight left at fork
362 ft·9 sec
Toward US 190 East: Baton Rouge
9
Merge onto US 190
49 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 190
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi·5 min·LA 415 Spur
11
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Baton Rouge
12
Merge onto I 10
79 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
3.5 mi·4 min·Pontchartrain Expressway
Toward New Orleans, Business DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 234BToward Poydras Street, SuperdomeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Turn left onto South Claiborne Avenue
0.3 mi·40 sec·South Claiborne Avenue
17
Turn right onto Tulane Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Tulane Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Tulane Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 211.3-mile trip, aim to depart early to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach the New Orleans area. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pace your driving and rest whenever you feel the need. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is roughly $32, so it is wise to monitor your tank levels before hitting the longer interstate segments. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch is 79.1 miles on I-10, ensure you are comfortable with that distance before committing to a long period of driving. Staying attentive during that primary highway section will help you maintain a smooth and safe trip to your final destination.
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 105.6 miles from Ball, LA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.1 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 46 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.6 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Orleans, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ball, 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 Ball, LA
This is one driving day of about 211.3 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Ball, 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 I 10 for about 79.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.6 and 210.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.6 mi into trip|~13m in|US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
6
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|US 190
Merge onto US 190
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
206.4 mi into trip|~4h in|I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway toward New Orleans, Business District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward New Orleans, Business District
6
209.9 mi into trip|~4h 4m in|I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
210.4 mi into trip|~4h 5m in
Take the exit toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 234B
Toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.91 one way
$63.82 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$35.03
$70.06
premium
$4.56
$37.93
$75.85
diesel
$5.61
$46.65
$93.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.4
0
$22.19
$10.14
Efficient EV
52.8
0
$18.49
$8.45
EV Truck/SUV
84.5
1
$29.58
$13.52
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 15, 2026
Origin
Ball, LA
Late night
in Ball on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Orleans, LA
Late night
in New Orleans on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 7m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Discover the roots of jazz at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, our park offers live performances, exhibits, and programs that celebrate the le...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 211.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive relies heavily on major corridors, with 67% of the trip spent on high-speed roads. Your journey utilizes a combination of I-10, Martin Luther King, Jr. Highway, and US-190 to navigate the terrain. Behind the wheel, you will experience a mix of road types, though you should prepare for a significant sustained stretch of 79.1 miles while traveling on I-10. The character of the drive shifts as you move from local highways onto the interstate system, which dictates the pace for the majority of your travel. Expect a steady, functional experience that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.1 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Martin Luther King, Jr Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.6 miles in near US 167.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 211.3 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 8.6 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.4 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.4 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
161 ft-1 ft
Total Climb
36 ft
Total Descent
197 ft
Highest Point
161 ft
Elevation Range
161 ft
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 Ball, LA to New Orleans, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Opelousas along the way.
Way down yonder in New Orleans (French: La Nouvelle-Orléans), you'll find the roots of jazz and a blossoming culture that is unlike anything else on Earth. Here, the laid-back atmosphere of the riverfront South has mixed with French sophistication, Spanish style, and African-American energy to create something greater than the sum of its parts. "NOLA" is the largest city in Louisiana and one of the top tourist destinations in the United States.
"Laissez les bons temps rouler" is what they say here in the Big Easy, and you too can "let the good times roll" with a cool stroll down Bourbon Street, a hot Dixieland band, and even hotter Creole cuisine. Mardi Gras may be the city's calling card, but that's just one day out of the hot and muggy year in New Orleans.
Go ahead, take a riverboat down the Mississippi, munch on some beignets, and watch the Saints go marchin' in.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 7m. Total distance: 211.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.1 miles on I 10. 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 New Orleans, 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 8.6 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.4 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.4 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at New Orleans, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
