Baton Rouge to Colfax is 148 miles and takes about 2 hours 55 minutes via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and State Route 1, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traversing Louisiana from its capital to a smaller community. The profile is a mix of highway and surface roads, suggesting a varied driving experience. Given its manageable length and single recommended day, this route is a good option for a relaxed excursion or a practical way to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
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
74 miles from Baton Rouge, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
79.4 mi
1h 20m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
Highway 8
8.6 mi
15m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
Horace Wilkinson Bridge
3.1 mi
3m
2nd Street
1.5 mi
2m
State Route 8
0.9 mi
1m
Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baton Rouge, LA and Colfax, LA.
1
Start on Government Street
300 ft·10 sec·Government Street
2
Turn right onto Saint Ferdinand Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·Saint Ferdinand Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
4
Merge onto I 10
3.1 mi·3 min·Horace Wilkinson Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi·4 min·North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
10
Merge onto I 49; US 167
79 mi·1 hr 20 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward LA 8 East, LA 1200: Boyce
12
Turn right onto LA 8; LA 1200
0.9 mi·1 min·State Route 8
13
Continue on LA 8
8.6 mi·15 min·Highway 8
14
Continue on LA 8
1.5 mi·2 min·2nd Street
15
Turn right onto LA 8
0.4 mi·43 sec·Main Street
16
Turn right onto 8th Street
50 ft·2 sec·8th Street
17
Arrive at destination
8th Street
Trip Plan
For this 2 hour 55 minute drive, leaving Baton Rouge in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. With only 148 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $20, you have flexibility in your timing. The route involves a mix of highway and surface roads, so be prepared for varying speed limits and potential for local traffic, especially as you move away from the main highway. Consider stopping once along the way to stretch your legs or refuel, though the longest stretch without a significant change is under 80 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services might be less frequent on the surface road portions.
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 74 miles from Baton Rouge, LA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.4 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 33 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74 miles or 1h 31m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colfax, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Baton Rouge, 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 Baton Rouge, LA
This is one driving day of about 148 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Baton Rouge, 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 79.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 3.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Saint Ferdinand Street
Turn right onto Saint Ferdinand Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|I 10 / Horace Wilkinson Bridge
Merge onto I 10 / Horace Wilkinson Bridge
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
3.5 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward LA 415: Lobdell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
7
3.8 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 415: Lobdell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
5
3.9 mi into trip|~5m in|LA 415 / North Lobdell Highway
Merge onto LA 415 / North Lobdell Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.35 one way
$44.70 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$24.54
$49.07
premium
$4.56
$26.56
$53.13
diesel
$5.61
$32.68
$65.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.4
0
$15.54
$7.10
Efficient EV
37
0
$12.95
$5.92
EV Truck/SUV
59.2
0
$20.72
$9.47
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Baton Rouge, LA
Morning
in Baton Rouge on Tuesday
Local time
7:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Colfax, LA
Morning
in Colfax on Tuesday
Local time
7:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
20 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 55m 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.
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 148
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 40% of this 148-mile drive is on highways, with the remaining 60% on surface roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 79.4 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway before transitioning to State Route 1 and Highway 8. Expect a shift from highway cruising to more varied surface road driving as you progress. This transition means you'll likely notice a change in traffic patterns and potential for more frequent local intersections.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.4 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 0.1 miles in near Saint Ferdinand Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 148 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 0.1 miles (Saint Ferdinand Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (I 10 / Horace Wilkinson Bridge): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana, USA. Located on the east bank of the mighty Mississippi River, Baton Rouge is Louisiana's second largest city, home of Louisiana State University, major port facilities, and a variety of attractions.
Top landmarks
•Louisiana State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Louisiana
•USS Kidd — 1943 Fletcher-class destroyer
•Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center — hotel in Baton Rouge, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 148 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.4 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Colfax, 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Saint Ferdinand Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (I 10 / Horace Wilkinson Bridge): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Colfax, LA before heading back.
