Spanning 118.6 miles, this journey from Bastrop to Alexandria takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes of drive time. You will navigate primarily through local roads, including Martin Luther King Jr Drive, New Monroe Road, and Sterlington Road, rather than relying on major interstates. It is perfectly manageable as a straightforward one-day trip, making it an efficient way to transit between these two Southeast Louisiana hubs. Budget about $18 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Because this route is entirely local, expect a pace that reflects community travel rather than high-speed highway transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.3 miles from Bastrop, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Martin Luther King Jr Drive
93.5 mi
1h 49m
New Monroe Road
16.8 mi
19m
Sterlington Road
4.2 mi
5m
East Madison Avenue
1.9 mi
2m
North 3rd Street
1.1 mi
2m
Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
0.6 mi
<1m
4th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Medical Center Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Martin Luther King Jr Drive
— 93.5 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bastrop, LA and Alexandria, LA.
1
Start on US 165; US 425; LA 2
1.9 mi·2 min·East Madison Avenue
2
Continue on US 165; LA 2
17 mi·19 min·New Monroe Road
3
Continue on US 165
4.2 mi·5 min·Sterlington Road
4
Continue on US 165
94 mi·1 hr 49 min·Martin Luther King Jr Drive
5
Continue on US 71; US 165
0.6 mi·57 sec·Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
6
Turn left onto LA 1208-4
1.1 mi·2 min·North 3rd Street
7
Turn left onto 5th Street
276 ft·17 sec·5th Street
8
Turn left onto Medical Center Drive
0.1 mi·15 sec·Medical Center Drive
9
Continue on 4th Street
0.3 mi·54 sec·4th Street
10
Turn left onto Murray Street
159 ft·6 sec·Murray Street
11
Arrive at destination
Murray Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. Keep in mind that because the entire route consists of local roads, travel times can be sensitive to local traffic patterns or school zones. With no formal highway stretches, you should pace your drive carefully and allow for consistent focus on navigation. Ensure your tank is ready for the $18 fuel expenditure before leaving Bastrop, as local roads may offer fewer quick-stop refueling options compared to major interstates. Taking a steady approach will help you navigate the turn-heavy sections without unnecessary stress.
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 59.3 miles from Bastrop, LA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.5 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 9m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bastrop, 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 Bastrop, LA
This is one driving day of about 118.6 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Bastrop, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Martin Luther King Jr Drive for about 93.5 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
4 of 4
4 decision points cluster between mile 117 and 118.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
117 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|LA 1208-4 / North 3rd Street
Turn left onto LA 1208-4 / North 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
3
118.1 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|5th Street
Turn left onto 5th Street
Navigation decision point
5
118.2 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|Medical Center Drive
Turn left onto Medical Center Drive
Navigation decision point
5
118.6 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|Murray Street
Turn left onto Murray Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.91 one way
$35.82 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$19.66
$39.32
premium
$4.56
$21.29
$42.57
diesel
$5.61
$26.19
$52.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.6
0
$12.45
$5.69
Efficient EV
29.7
0
$10.38
$4.74
EV Truck/SUV
47.4
0
$16.60
$7.59
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Bastrop, LA
Evening
in Bastrop on Sunday
Local time
8:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alexandria, LA
Evening
in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
8:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
85°F
Monroe, LA
59 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
6 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
2h 20m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, forcing you to navigate through the heart of the landscape. You will spend a significant portion of your time—93.5 miles—on Martin Luther King Jr Drive, which serves as the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip. The road personality shifts as you transition between local road segments, keeping the driving experience varied and engaging throughout the 118.6-mile duration. Prepare for frequent turns and a more intimate look at the regional infrastructure.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.5 mi on Martin Luther King Jr Drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 117 miles in near LA 1208-4 / North 3rd Street.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Bastrop, LA to Alexandria, LA is easy. At 2h 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 117 miles (LA 1208-4 / North 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 118.1 miles (5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 118.2 miles (Medical Center Drive): Navigation decision point.
Bastrop is the county seat of Bastrop County, Texas, and is located about 30 mi (48 km) east of Austin. Bastrop was settled by Europeans in 1804 and incorporated on December 18, 1837, with a 2020 population of 9688. It is known for its isolated belt of loblolly pines (the "Lost Pines") that exist miles to the west of the Piney Woods of East Texas and Louisiana; see Bastrop State Park below.
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 93.5 miles on Martin Luther King Jr Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 117 miles (LA 1208-4 / North 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 118.1 miles (5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 118.2 miles (Medical Center Drive): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Alexandria, LA before heading back.
