Embarking from Bayou Cane, Louisiana, to Shreveport, Louisiana, this 311.5-mile journey is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 42 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, with no highway driving contributing to the total distance. With a projected fuel cost of around $47, this route offers a straightforward drive through the Southeast region of Louisiana. Consider this a practical, turn-heavy local experience rather than a high-speed transit. The single recommended stop suggests a brief pause to break up the drive.
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
155.7 miles from Bayou Cane, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
197.8 mi
3h 22m
Raceland-M C Express
82.2 mi
1h 29m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10.2 mi
11m
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
6 mi
9m
West Park Avenue
4.4 mi
8m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.7 mi
3m
South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Ambassador Caffery Parkway
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 197.8 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bayou Cane, LA and Shreveport, LA.
1
Start on LA 24
402 ft·13 sec·West Main Street
2
Turn left onto Westside Boulevard
254 ft·15 sec·Westside Boulevard
3
Turn left onto LA 24
4.4 mi·8 min·West Park Avenue
4
Turn left
358 ft·15 sec
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
6
Merge onto US 90
82 mi·1 hr 29 min·Raceland-M C Express
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·14 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi·24 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi·28 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·15 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1
0.2 mi·13 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
12
Take the exit onto LA 92-1
0.1 mi·21 sec·Young Street
13
Continue on LA 92-1
0.3 mi·38 sec·Young Street
14
Turn right onto St Etienne Road
1.0 mi·3 min·St Etienne Road
15
At end of road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
0.1 mi·22 sec·East Fairfield Drive
16
Turn left onto LA 3073
1.5 mi·2 min·Ambassador Caffery Parkway
17
Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·South Morgan Avenue
18
Turn right onto US 90; LA 182
0.2 mi·13 sec·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
19
Keep slight left at fork
158 ft·7 sec
20
Turn left onto US 90; LA 182
2.5 mi·2 min·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
21
Continue on US 90; LA 182
6.0 mi·9 min·Southeast Evangeline Thruway
22
Continue on I 49; LA 182
8.8 mi·9 min·Veterans Memorial Expressway
23
Continue on I 49; US 167
198 mi·3 hr 22 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
25
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Pete Harris Drive
26
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi·2 min·Caddo Street
27
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi·56 sec·Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
28
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft·1 sec·River Parkway
29
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 42-minute duration and the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, starting your trip in the morning is advisable to allow ample daylight for navigation. While the drive is manageable in one day, plan for one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, especially given the lack of continuous highway stretches. Keep a close eye on your GPS, as the numerous turns and local road transitions require constant attention. The estimated fuel cost of $47 is a helpful budget point, but be aware that local roads can sometimes have lower speed limits, potentially extending the overall travel time slightly beyond the estimate.
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 155.7 miles from Bayou Cane, LA, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.8 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 69 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.7 miles or 2h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shreveport, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bayou Cane, 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 Bayou Cane, LA
This is one driving day of about 311.5 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Bayou Cane, 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 197.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 308.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Westside Boulevard
Turn left onto Westside Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|LA 24 / West Park Avenue
Turn left onto LA 24 / West Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
88.4 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
93.5 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
308.5 mi into trip|~5h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.04 one way
$94.09 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$51.64
$103.29
premium
$4.56
$55.91
$111.82
diesel
$5.61
$68.78
$137.55
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
(6 mi)$0.42
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.5 mi)$0.17
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.5
1
$32.71
$14.95
Efficient EV
77.9
0
$27.26
$12.46
EV Truck/SUV
124.6
1
$43.61
$19.94
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Bayou Cane, LA
Evening
in Bayou Cane on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Shreveport, LA
Evening
in Shreveport on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Broussard, LA
156 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
23 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
5h 42m 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 225.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly interactive driving experience on this route, characterized by numerous turns and local road navigation. With a 0% highway share, you'll be constantly engaged with the changing road conditions and potential for frequent adjustments. The profile is explicitly 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed travel. This is a route where you'll be actively managing your direction, making it feel more like a deliberate exploration than a simple point-to-point commute.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 197.8 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 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Westside Boulevard.
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 311.5 miles you will encounter 20 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: at 0.1 miles (Westside Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (LA 24 / West Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 88.4 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Shreveport is the largest city in Northern Louisiana, part of the twin city metro of Shreveport-Bossier City, and is considered the principal city in the three-state region known as the "Ark-La-Tex." It has about 188,000 residents (2019), and is in the area of the state designated as the Sportsman's Paradise. Many lakes and rivers are in the area and offer recreational activities. The surrounding area is also a contrast from points in southern Louisiana, in that the landscape is marked by rolling hills and pine forests, being an extension of the Texas region known as the Piney Woods.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 42m. Total distance: 311.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (4%). 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 197.8 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.59 in tolls one way, starting with Southeast Evangeline Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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.
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 0.1 miles (Westside Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (LA 24 / West Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 88.4 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Shreveport, LA before the return drive.
