Bossier City to Lake Arthur is 218.3 miles and takes about 4h 30m via Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The drive primarily uses surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate cruise. With only one recommended stop and a duration under five hours, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion. Consider this drive if you prefer a less highway-intensive experience.
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
109.2 miles from Bossier City, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
119.2 mi
2h 2m
Masonic Drive
49.4 mi
1h 1m
Highway 26
33.1 mi
58m
State Route 26
5.3 mi
9m
Macarthur Drive
3.6 mi
5m
Elton Road
1.8 mi
3m
South Lake Arthur Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Purple Heart Recipients Highway
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 119.2 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bossier City, LA and Lake Arthur, 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
119 mi·2 hr 2 min·Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward US 71, US 165: MacArthur Drive
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·45 sec
Toward US 71 South, US 165 South: MacArthur Drive
9
Merge onto US 71; US 165; LA 28
3.6 mi·5 min·Macarthur Drive
10
Enter roundabout onto US 165
0.1 mi·14 sec·Masonic Drive
11
Continue on US 165
49 mi·1 hr·Masonic Drive
12
Turn left onto LA 26
1.0 mi·1 min·6th Avenue
13
Continue on LA 26
30 mi·52 min·Highway 26
14
Continue on LA 26
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 26
15
Continue on LA 26
1.8 mi·3 min·Elton Road
16
Continue on LA 26
1.5 mi·2 min·South Lake Arthur Avenue
17
Continue on LA 26
5.0 mi·8 min·State Route 26
18
Continue on LA 26
3.4 mi·5 min·Highway 26
19
Continue on LA 26
0.1 mi·11 sec·Calcasieu Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
LA 26
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip covering 218.3 miles and taking around 4 hours and 30 minutes, an early morning departure from Bossier City is recommended to maximize daylight. The fuel cost is estimated at $32, so ensure your tank is full before you leave, as services might be more spread out on surface roads. With only one stop suggested, you can be flexible with your timing, but plan for a break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially after leaving the 119.2-mile stretch on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, as rural areas can have fewer gas stations.
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 109.2 miles from Bossier City, LA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.2 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 48 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.2 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Arthur, 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 218.3 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 119.2 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 126.1 — 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
4
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward I 49 South: Alexandria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 49 South: Alexandria
5
121.9 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 71, US 165: MacArthur Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 71, US 165: MacArthur Drive
6
122.1 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 71 South, US 165 South: MacArthur Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 71 South, US 165 South: MacArthur Dri...
4
126.1 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|US 165 / Masonic Drive
Enter roundabout onto US 165 / Masonic Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.42 one way
$66.83 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$37.01
$74.02
premium
$4.65
$39.96
$79.91
diesel
$6.28
$53.94
$107.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.5
0
$22.92
$10.48
Efficient EV
54.6
0
$19.10
$8.73
EV Truck/SUV
87.3
1
$30.56
$13.97
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Bossier City, LA
Late night
in Bossier City on Friday
Local time
12:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lake Arthur, LA
Late night
in Lake Arthur on Friday
Local time
12:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
49°F
Alexandria, LA
109 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
1 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
4h 30m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 82.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features minimal highway driving, with only 18% of the total distance on high-speed roads. You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, with the longest continuous stretch on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway covering 119.2 miles. Expect a more rural cruising feel as you transition away from the highway sections. The limited highway share means more frequent intersections and varied speed limits.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.2 mi on Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Barksdale Boulevard.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 30m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 121.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119.2 miles on Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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.
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: near the start (Barksdale Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 121.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Lake Arthur, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
