Traveling from Boutte to Shreveport spans 316.4 miles across Louisiana, a journey that typically takes 5 hours and 55 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it is best approached as a single-day commitment rather than a multi-day excursion. You should budget approximately $48 for fuel to complete the trek between these two Southeast locations. While the trip is manageable in one go, the winding nature of the roads requires your full attention. Deciding to make this drive means prioritizing local scenery over the efficiency of a straight interstate sprint.
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
158.2 miles from Boutte, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
186.3 mi
3h 10m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
I 10
35.4 mi
39m
3127
19.6 mi
25m
West Airline Highway
8.9 mi
10m
LA 3213
6.8 mi
9m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
I 310
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 186.3 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boutte, LA and Shreveport, LA.
1
Start on LA 52
462 ft·11 sec·Paul Maillard Road
2
Take the ramp
136 ft·4 sec
3
Merge onto US 90
0.3 mi·35 sec·US 90
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward I 310 North, LA 3127 North: Donaldsonville, New Orleans
5
Continue on I 310
1.3 mi·1 min·I 310
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 10Toward LA 3127 North: Donadlsonville
7
Continue on LA 3127
20 mi·25 min·LA 3127
8
Turn right onto LA 3213
6.8 mi·9 min·LA 3213
9
Turn left onto US 61
8.9 mi·10 min·West Airline Highway
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·58 sec
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
11
Merge onto I 10
31 mi·34 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi·4 min·North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
18
Merge onto I 49; US 167
186 mi·3 hr 10 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
20
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Pete Harris Drive
21
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi·2 min·Caddo Street
22
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi·56 sec·Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
23
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft·1 sec·River Parkway
24
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the nearly six-hour duration. Because the route is dominated by local roads rather than high-speed interstates, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid fatigue while navigating the turns. Keep a close eye on your fuel levels early on, as the 186.3-mile stretch on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway represents a long, uninterrupted segment where amenities may be spaced out. Use the flexibility of your single-stop itinerary to stretch your legs thoroughly, as the technical nature of the roads can be taxing compared to a standard highway haul.
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 158.2 miles from Boutte, LA, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.3 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 70 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.2 miles or 3h 11m 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 54m
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 Boutte, 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 Boutte, LA
This is one driving day of about 316.4 miles and 5h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Boutte, 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 186.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 313.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the exit toward I 310 North, LA 3127 North: Donaldsonville, New Orleans
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 310 North, LA 3127 North: Donaldsonvil...
6
69.9 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
73.8 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward LA 415: Lobdell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
7
74.1 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 415: Lobdell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
6
313.5 mi into trip|~5h 49m 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
$43.92 one way
$87.84 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$49.14
$98.28
premium
$4.29
$53.43
$106.85
diesel
$4.80
$59.74
$119.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.9
1
$33.22
$15.19
Efficient EV
79.1
0
$27.69
$12.66
EV Truck/SUV
126.6
1
$44.30
$20.25
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Boutte, LA
Morning
in Boutte on Monday
Local time
6:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:02AM CDT until July 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Shreveport, LA
Morning
in Shreveport on Monday
Local time
6:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:02AM CDT until July 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
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
2 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 55m 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 240.1
Discover the roots of jazz at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, our park offers live performances, exhibits, and programs that celebrate the le...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a distinct change of pace, as only 29% of the drive consists of highway travel. You will spend the vast majority of your time navigating technical, turn-heavy local roads that demand active steering and patience. The most significant portion of your journey is the 186.3-mile stretch along the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, which serves as the core of the transit. Expect a shift in road personality as you move away from the interstate segments and settle into the local rhythm of the highway. It is a drive that feels more like a deliberate navigation through the state than a high-speed transit.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.3 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 316.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.9 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Top landmarks
•Petroleum Tower — 16-story high-rise office building located at 425 Edwards Street at the corner o...
•Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium — theater and meeting hall in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
•Strand Theatre — theater in Shreveport, Louisiana
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 55m. Total distance: 316.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.3 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 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 Shreveport, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.9 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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.
