Whataburger
Near the start, short detour
Shreveport, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13188655254
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 52m
Distance
161.1 mi
259 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bossier City, LA
Stephen Leonardi
Bunkie, LA
Daniil Vishnevskiy
Bossier City to Bunkie is 161.1 miles and takes about 2h 52m via Barksdale Boulevard and I 49 South, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Since it's mostly surface roads, expect a more local driving experience rather than high-speed highway cruising. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, offering a straightforward way to get from point A to point B.
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
80.6 miles from Bossier City, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 152.2 mi | 2h 35m |
| Highway 115 West | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Macarthur Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Purple Heart Recipients Highway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Church Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Barksdale Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Lexington Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Southwest Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bossier City, LA and Bunkie, LA.
Start on Monroe Street
Turn right onto Barksdale Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20; US 71
Take the exit
Continue on I 49
Take the exit
Turn left onto LA 115
Continue on LA 115
Continue on LA 115
At end of road, turn left onto LA 115
Turn right onto LA 115
Turn right onto US 71; LA 29
Arrive at destination
Given the 2h 52m estimated drive time and 161.1 miles, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for flexibility, especially since most of the drive is on surface roads where unexpected delays can occur. Plan for one stop to stretch your legs or grab a quick bite, keeping in mind the total fuel cost is estimated at $24. Pay attention to local speed limits as you transition between different road types and through populated areas.
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.
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 35 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.6 miles or 1h 24m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bunkie, LA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Bossier City, 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 Bossier City, LA
This is one driving day of about 161.1 miles and 2h 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 80.6 miles from Bossier City, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop
Shreveport, Louisiana
Near the start, short detour
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13188655254
The Cottage Restaurant
Alexandria, Louisiana
Querbes Restaurant
Shreveport, Louisiana
Best coffee break
Shreveport, Louisiana
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+13182207373
Near the start, short detour
Shreveport, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13188655254
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Alexandria, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+13184484220
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Shreveport, Louisiana
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
+13186737775
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Shreveport, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+13186290726
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Woodworth, Louisiana
Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm
+13184490674
Later in the drive, ~10 min detour
Alexandria, Louisiana
Hours: 6–9:30 am
+13184437520
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Bossier City, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm
+13185847170
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Shreveport, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13182218259
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Shreveport, Louisiana
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+13182207373
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Bossier City, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Alexandria, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Shreveport, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Alexandria, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Bossier City, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Alexandria, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13184499000
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Shreveport, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+13183512761
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Alexandria, Louisiana
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13184433458
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Shreveport, Louisiana
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+13188650036
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Natchez, Louisiana
Hours: 9 am–3:30 pm
+13183520383
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 161.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Barksdale Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 49 South: Alexandria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit toward LA 115: Bunkie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
At end of road, turn left onto LA 115 / South Lexington Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 71; LA 29 / Southwest Main Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$21.88 one way
$43.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $24.42 | $48.84 |
| premium | $4.15 | $26.32 | $52.64 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $23.78 | $47.57 |
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: 56.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.3 | 0 | $16.92 | $7.73 |
| Efficient EV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.10 | $6.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.55 | $10.31 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Bossier City on Sunday
Local time
9:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
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
Morning in Bunkie on Sunday
Local time
9:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
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
54°F
Highland Acres, LA
81 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
This drive is primarily on surface roads, with 0% of the route utilizing highways. You'll begin on Barksdale Boulevard, transitioning to Purple Heart Recipients Highway and then I 49 South before continuing on surface roads for the majority of the trip. The longest stretch without a major road change is not specified, but the overall profile suggests consistent surface road driving with frequent intersections and local traffic. Expect to navigate through towns and potentially encounter more varied speed limits.
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 early in the drive near Barksdale Boulevard.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Bossier City, LA to Bunkie, LA is easy. At 2h 52m with 2% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Barksdale Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 154.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
33 ft
Total Descent
141 ft
Highest Point
173 ft
Elevation Range
108 ft
Founded 1907
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 161.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (2%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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