Traveling from Cecilia to Monroe covers 184.8 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 37 minutes. This route stays entirely within Southeast Louisiana, making it a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You should budget about $28 for fuel to complete the journey. Because this path relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it offers a more grounded, turn-heavy experience through the region. It is a straightforward trip if you prefer a steady pace over high-speed highway driving.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
92.4 miles from Cecilia, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Monroe Highway
82.5 mi
1h 36m
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
73.1 mi
1h 14m
US 165
6.1 mi
7m
Main Highway
5.9 mi
10m
US 167
4.8 mi
7m
State Route 93
3.2 mi
5m
Bayou Courtableau Highway
3.1 mi
5m
East Martin Luther King Jr Drive
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Monroe Highway
— 82.5 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cecilia, LA and Monroe, LA.
1
Start on LA 355
0.2 mi·23 sec·Cecilia Bridge Highway
2
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 355
183 ft·3 sec·Cecilia Bridge Highway
3
Continue on LA 31
5.9 mi·10 min·Main Highway
4
Continue on LA 31
0.6 mi·1 min·Neblet Street
5
Turn slight left onto LA 93
3.1 mi·5 min·Bayou Courtableau Highway
6
Continue on LA 93
3.2 mi·5 min·State Route 93
7
Continue on LA 93
0.3 mi·26 sec·Martin Luther King Drive
8
Continue on LA 93
1.2 mi·2 min·East Martin Luther King Jr Drive
9
At end of road, turn left onto LA 93
231 ft·4 sec·Charles Avenue
10
Continue on LA 93
0.2 mi·18 sec·West Martin Luther King Drive
11
Continue on LA 93
427 ft·8 sec·State Highway 93
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Opelousas
13
Merge onto I 49; US 167
73 mi·1 hr 14 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
14
Take the exit onto US 167
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
4.6 mi·6 min·US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward US 165: Alexandria, MonroeUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
337 ft·8 sec
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
18
Merge onto US 165
83 mi·1 hr 36 min·Monroe Highway
19
Turn straight onto US 165
6.1 mi·7 min·US 165
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
22
Merge onto I 20
1.0 mi·1 min·I 20
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
24
Keep slight right at fork
303 ft·7 sec
25
Turn straight onto US 165 Business; LA 15
0.5 mi·45 sec·Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
26
Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15
0.3 mi·35 sec·North 6th Street
27
Turn left onto US 80; US 165 Business; LA 15
0.1 mi·17 sec·Louisville Avenue
28
Turn left
45 ft·5 sec
29
Turn right
38 ft·2 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, plan for a single stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the 3-hour and 37-minute drive. Because the route is dominated by local roads rather than high-speed thoroughfares, give yourself extra time to account for varying speed limits and intersections. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early in the trip to ensure you stay within your $28 budget, as local fueling options can be less predictable than those on major interstates. If you start your drive early in the morning, you can easily reach Monroe by midday while maintaining a relaxed, comfortable pace.
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 92.4 miles from Cecilia, LA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 41 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.4 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monroe, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cecilia, 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 Cecilia, LA
This is one driving day of about 184.8 miles and 3h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Cecilia, 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 Monroe Highway for about 82.5 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 0.2 and 93.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|LA 355 / Cecilia Bridge Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 355 / Cecilia Bridge Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
14.8 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the ramp toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Opelousas
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Opelousas
6
88.4 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expr...
7
93 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
6
93.2 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 165 North: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.91 one way
$55.82 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$30.64
$61.28
premium
$4.56
$33.17
$66.34
diesel
$5.61
$40.80
$81.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.4
0
$19.40
$8.87
Efficient EV
46.2
0
$16.17
$7.39
EV Truck/SUV
73.9
0
$25.87
$11.83
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Cecilia, LA
Morning
in Cecilia on Sunday
Local time
11:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Monroe, LA
Morning
in Monroe on Sunday
Local time
11:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live 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
5 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
3h 37m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only 9% of this journey is spent on highways, meaning you will spend most of your time navigating Monroe Highway, the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, and US 165. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is an 82.5-mile segment on Monroe Highway. This drive lacks the monotony of a typical interstate grind, instead offering a more technical feel as you transition across the local landscape.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.5 mi on Monroe 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 0.2 miles in near LA 355 / Cecilia Bridge Highway.
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 17 significant decision points across 184.8 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 0.2 miles (LA 355 / Cecilia Bridge Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 14.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.4 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 37m. Total distance: 184.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.5 miles on Monroe 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 Monroe, 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: at 0.2 miles (LA 355 / Cecilia Bridge Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 14.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.4 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Monroe, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
