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Trip from Bossier City, LA to Maryland, LA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 34m

Distance

247.7 mi

399 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 21m ★
6 AM
4h 34m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 43m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 26m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Bossier City, LA, LA

Bossier City, LA

Stephen Leonardi

Downtown Maryland, LA, LA

Maryland, LA

Styves Exantus

Trip Overview

This 247.7-mile journey from Bossier City, Louisiana, to Maryland, Louisiana, is estimated to take around 4 hours and 34 minutes of driving time. It's a manageable one-day trip, with a fuel cost estimated at $38. You'll primarily travel on Barksdale Boulevard and Purple Heart Recipients Highway, with a portion on I-49 South. Since both the origin and destination are within the Southeast region and the same state (Louisiana), you won't experience a significant shift in regional scenery or culture. This route is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging local drive than a long, straight highway stretch.

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

123.8 miles from Bossier City, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway 186.4 mi 3h 10m
US 190 54.8 mi 1h 11m
Scotland Avenue 1.6 mi 3m
Scenic Highway 1.4 mi 2m
Purple Heart Recipients Highway 1.4 mi 2m
US 190 Business 0.2 mi <1m
Barksdale Boulevard 0.2 mi <1m
Monroe Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway — 186.4 mi, about 3h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bossier City, LA and Maryland, 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

186 mi · 3 hr 10 min · Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
7

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
8

Keep slight left at fork

362 ft · 9 sec
Toward US 190 East: Baton Rouge
9

Merge onto US 190

49 mi · 1 hr 3 min · US 190
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto US 190; LA 1

5.4 mi · 7 min · US 190; LA 1
11

Take the exit onto US 190 Business

0.2 mi · 28 sec · US 190 Business
12

Turn straight onto US 61 Bus; US 190 Bus

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Scenic Highway
13

Continue on US 61 Bus; US 190 Bus

1.3 mi · 2 min · Scenic Highway
14

Turn slight right onto LA 19

1.6 mi · 3 min · Scotland Avenue
15

Turn right

86 ft · 6 sec
16

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour, 34-minute duration, it's best to start your drive in Bossier City earlier in the day to make the most of daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan for a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $38 estimated cost is based on the entire 247.7 miles. Since this is a turn-heavy route, pre-loading your GPS with the exact sequence of roads like Barksdale Boulevard and Purple Heart Recipients Highway will be crucial for a smooth trip.

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 123.8 miles from Bossier City, LA, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.4 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 54 miles or 57m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 123.8 miles or 2h 8m 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 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maryland, 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 247.7 miles and 4h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 186.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

largest city and parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Alexandria, LA

124 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Shreveport, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Alexandria, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 123.8 miles from Bossier City, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 189.6 — 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
189 mi into trip | ~3h 15m in

Take the exit toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
5
189.5 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 190 East: Baton Rouge

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 190 East: Baton Rouge
6
189.6 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in | US 190

Merge onto US 190

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.41 one way

$74.82 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $41.07 $82.13
premium $4.56 $44.46 $88.92
diesel $5.61 $54.69 $109.38

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.3 0 $26.01 $11.89
Efficient EV 61.9 0 $21.67 $9.91
EV Truck/SUV 99.1 1 $34.68 $15.85

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Bossier City, LA

Night in Bossier City on Saturday

Local time

11:58 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Maryland, LA

Night in Maryland on Saturday

Local time

11:58 PM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

85°F

Alexandria, LA

124 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

7 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

4h 34m 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

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 ~14 min detour Free near mile 76.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating a series of local roads and highways rather than cruising on interstates. While there's no specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the profile suggests a driving experience that requires consistent attention to navigation and road changes. The drive will likely feel more like a series of connected local journeys, with frequent adjustments needed rather than extended periods of high-speed travel.

Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.4 mi on Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Barksdale Boulevard.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 247.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 189 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Maryland, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Opelousas along the way.

Opelousas

189 mi in | ~3h 15m

About the Cities

Starting in Bossier City, LA

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 247.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 186.4 miles on Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

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 Maryland, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 189 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Maryland, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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