Brusly to Shreveport is 249.4 miles and takes about 4h 35m via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a local, turn-heavy experience rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll likely find it's a manageable trip for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
124.7 miles from Brusly, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m 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
Highway 1 South
4 mi
5m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
I 10
1.6 mi
1m
Caddo Street
0.9 mi
2m
Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi
1m
West Main Street
0.7 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 Brusly, LA and Shreveport, LA.
1
Start on LA 989-2
0.7 mi·1 min·West Main Street
2
Turn left onto LA 1
4.0 mi·5 min·Highway 1 South
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 10 West: Lafayette
4
Merge onto I 10
1.6 mi·1 min·I 10
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi·4 min·North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
10
Merge onto I 49; US 167
186 mi·3 hr 10 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
12
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Pete Harris Drive
13
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi·2 min·Caddo Street
14
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi·56 sec·Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
15
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft·1 sec·River Parkway
16
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 35m estimated drive time, starting in the morning is recommended to allow ample daylight for the journey. While this route is planned for a single day, the "Turn-heavy local drive" profile suggests you might want to build in a bit of extra time for unexpected delays or to simply enjoy the local scenery. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer 186.3-mile stretch on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, as services might be less frequent. A good rule of thumb is to fuel up before you depart Brusly and again when you're about halfway to Shreveport.
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 124.7 miles from Brusly, LA, or about 2h 25m 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 55 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.7 miles or 2h 25m 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 46m
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 Brusly, 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 Brusly, LA
This is one driving day of about 249.4 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Brusly, 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.7 and 246.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.7 mi into trip|~10m 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
7.1 mi into trip|~10m 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
5
7.1 mi into trip|~11m in|LA 415 / North Lobdell Highway
Merge onto LA 415 / North Lobdell Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
10.7 mi into trip|~16m in|US 190; LA 1 / State Route 1
Merge onto US 190; LA 1 / State Route 1
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
246.4 mi into trip|~4h 29m 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
$37.67 one way
$75.33 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$41.35
$82.69
premium
$4.56
$44.76
$89.53
diesel
$5.61
$55.06
$110.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.3 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
74.8
0
$26.19
$11.97
Efficient EV
62.4
0
$21.82
$9.98
EV Truck/SUV
99.8
1
$34.92
$15.96
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
Brusly, LA
Afternoon
in Brusly on Sunday
Local time
3:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Shreveport, LA
Afternoon
in Shreveport on Sunday
Local time
3:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
85°F
Alexandria, LA
125 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
3 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 35m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a "Turn-heavy local drive," with only 22% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time navigating State Route 1 and Highway 1 South. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 186.3 miles on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. Be prepared for a more engaged driving experience as you manage frequent turns and local road conditions throughout much of the trip.
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: 186.3 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 6.7 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 249.4 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 6.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles (LA 415 / North Lobdell Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 249.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m 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 6.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles (LA 415 / North Lobdell Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Shreveport, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
