Bossier City to Golden Meadow is 352.2 miles and takes about 6 hours 30 minutes via Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and US 90, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region towards the coast. You'll encounter a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making it a solid choice for a single-day adventure. Plan for a straightforward drive that’s manageable within daylight hours.
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
176.1 miles from Bossier City, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
197.9 mi
3h 22m
US 90
101 mi
1h 51m
LA 3235
14.6 mi
17m
LA 308
14.4 mi
20m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10.6 mi
11m
Highway 1
2.8 mi
4m
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
2.2 mi
3m
North Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 197.9 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bossier City, LA and Golden Meadow, LA.
1
Start on Monroe Street
78 ft·4 sec·Monroe Street
2
Turn right onto Barksdale Boulevard
0.2 mi·32 sec·Barksdale Boulevard
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
4
Merge onto I 20; US 71
1.4 mi·2 min·Purple Heart Recipients Highway
5
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 49 South: Alexandria
6
Continue on I 49
198 mi·3 hr 22 min·Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
7
Continue on I 49; US 167
8.8 mi·9 min·Veterans Memorial Expressway
8
Continue on I 49; LA 182
2.2 mi·3 min·Northwest Evangeline Thruway
9
Continue on US 90; LA 182
6.1 mi·8 min·US 90; LA 182
10
Turn right onto North Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·North Morgan Avenue
11
Turn left onto LA 3073
1.5 mi·2 min·Ambassador Caffery Parkway
12
Turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Fairfield Drive
13
Turn left onto St Etienne Road
1.0 mi·4 min·St Etienne Road
14
At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1
0.6 mi·52 sec·Young Street
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1
0.5 mi·31 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·12 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·11 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·14 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.8 mi·53 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
95 mi·1 hr 43 min·US 90
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·32 sec
Exit 215Toward LA 1: Thibodaux, LockportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto LA 1
2.8 mi·4 min·Highway 1
23
Turn left onto LA 654
362 ft·1 min·LA 654
24
Turn right onto LA 308
14 mi·20 min·LA 308
25
Continue on LA 657
0.6 mi·1 min·Larose Lift Bridge
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto LA 3235
15 mi·17 min·LA 3235
27
Turn left onto Saint Louis Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Saint Louis Street
28
At end of road, turn left onto LA 1
104 ft·3 sec·South Bayou Drive
29
Arrive at destination
LA 1
Trip Plan
Given the 6 hour 30 minute estimated drive time, starting early from Bossier City is a good idea to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your breaks, but ensure you fuel up before leaving urban areas, as services can become more spread out. The longest stretch on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway is nearly 200 miles, so be prepared for an extended period of highway cruising before transitioning to US 90 and LA 3235. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Golden Meadow.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176.1 miles from Bossier City, LA, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.9 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 77 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.1 miles or 3h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Golden Meadow, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 352.2 miles and 6h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Bossier City, 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 Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 197.9 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 and 352.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Barksdale Boulevard
Turn right onto Barksdale Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
221.8 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|LA 92-1 / Young Street
At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1 / Young Street
Navigation decision point
5
223 mi into trip|~4h in|US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
8
319.1 mi into trip|~5h 44m in
Take the exit toward LA 1: Thibodaux, Lockport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 215
Toward LA 1: Thibodaux, Lockport
6
352.2 mi into trip|~6h 30m in|LA 1 / South Bayou Drive
At end of road, turn left onto LA 1 / South Bayou Drive
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.84 one way
$95.68 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$53.38
$106.77
premium
$4.15
$57.54
$115.09
diesel
$3.75
$52.00
$104.00
Estimated Tolls: $0.15
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.2 mi)$0.15
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
$48
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.7
1
$36.98
$16.91
Efficient EV
88.1
1
$30.82
$14.09
EV Truck/SUV
140.9
1
$49.31
$22.54
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Bossier City, LA
Afternoon
in Bossier City on Sunday
Local time
1:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Golden Meadow, LA
Afternoon
in Golden Meadow on Sunday
Local time
1:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 15 mph0% chanceLive 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
13 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
6h 30m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route involves 41% highway driving, with the longest stretch on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway measuring 197.9 miles. After this significant highway portion, you will transition to surface roads, primarily US 90 and LA 3235. Expect a noticeable change as you move from faster highway speeds to more local traffic and potentially more intersections.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 197.9 mi on Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Barksdale 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 352.2 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: near the start (Barksdale Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 221.8 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point; at 223 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
207 ft1 ft
Total Climb
73 ft
Total Descent
245 ft
Highest Point
207 ft
~25.2 mi in
Elevation Range
206 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 Bossier City, LA to Golden Meadow, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Lockport along the way.
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
•Bossier High School — high school in Bossier City, Louisiana, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 30m. Total distance: 352.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). 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 197.9 miles on Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.15 in tolls one way, starting with Northwest 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.
Yes — we found about 12 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Golden Meadow, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Barksdale Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 221.8 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point; at 223 miles (US 90 / 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 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Golden Meadow, LA before the return drive.
