Spanning 91.4 miles across Southeast Louisiana, this drive from Central to Gretna typically takes about 1 hour and 52 minutes. Because the distance is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-10 and the Pontchartrain Expressway, with a bit of local travel on Joor Road to start your journey. Budgeting approximately $14 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this direct route provides a straightforward path between these two Louisiana communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.7 miles from Central, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
66.5 mi
1h 15m
Pontchartrain Expressway
5.9 mi
6m
Joor Road
5.2 mi
7m
Airline Highway
4.5 mi
7m
Westbank Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
Siegen Lane
1.3 mi
2m
Oak Villa Boulevard
1.2 mi
2m
Hooper Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 66.5 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central, LA and Gretna, LA.
1
Start on LA 408
1.1 mi·2 min·Hooper Road
2
Turn left onto LA 946
5.2 mi·7 min·Joor Road
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on Oak Villa
0.9 mi·1 min·Oak Villa
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on Oak Villa Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·Oak Villa Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
Turn right onto US 190
0.6 mi·53 sec·Florida Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 South: New OrleansUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto US 61; US 190
4.5 mi·7 min·Airline Highway
Use the left lane.
8
Take the exit
399 ft·10 sec
Toward LA 3246 South
9
Turn straight onto LA 3246
1.3 mi·2 min·Siegen Lane
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
11
Merge onto I 10
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
3.5 mi·4 min·Pontchartrain Expressway
Toward New Orleans, Business DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 90 BUS
2.4 mi·2 min·Pontchartrain Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 90 BUS
0.7 mi·1 min·Crescent City Connection
15
Continue on US 90 BUS
2.0 mi·2 min·Westbank Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 8Toward Stumpf BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto Westbank Expressway
0.5 mi·59 sec·Westbank Expressway
18
Turn right
0.1 mi·38 sec
19
At end of road, turn left onto 11th Street
65 ft·4 sec·11th Street
20
Turn right onto Richard Street
171 ft·7 sec·Richard Street
21
Arrive at destination
Richard Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-two-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a wise move. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the 91.4-mile distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep your $14 fuel budget in mind when filling up, as prices can fluctuate depending on where you choose to refuel. My best piece of advice for this specific route is to stay alert for the transition from the open interstate to the Pontchartrain Expressway, as traffic patterns can tighten up significantly as you approach Gretna. Staying focused during that final stretch will ensure a smooth arrival.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.7 miles from Central, LA, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 20 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.7 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gretna, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Central, LA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Central, LA
This is one driving day of about 91.4 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Central, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 66.5 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 90.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|LA 946 / Joor Road
Turn left onto LA 946 / Joor Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
8.4 mi into trip|~12m in|US 190 / Florida Boulevard
Turn right onto US 190 / Florida Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
81.9 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway toward New Orleans, Business District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward New Orleans, Business District
6
85.4 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|US 90 BUS / Pontchartrain Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 90 BUS / Pontchartrain Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
90.4 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward Stumpf Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8
Toward Stumpf Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.80 one way
$27.61 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$15.15
$30.31
premium
$4.56
$16.41
$32.81
diesel
$5.61
$20.18
$40.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.4
0
$9.60
$4.39
Efficient EV
22.9
0
$8.00
$3.66
EV Truck/SUV
36.6
0
$12.80
$5.85
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 20, 2026
Origin
Central, LA
Morning
in Central on Tuesday
Local time
7:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gretna, LA
Morning
in Gretna on Tuesday
Local time
7:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
86°F
Shenandoah, LA
46 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
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
1h 52m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 82% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will settle into a steady rhythm on I-10, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 66.5 miles. While the initial leg involves navigating Joor Road, the remainder of the drive is defined by the high-speed efficiency of the interstate system. As you transition onto the Pontchartrain Expressway toward the end of your trip, the road character shifts from open highway to the more structured, urban-adjacent environment of the Gretna area. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive designed for speed and reliability.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.5 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Pontchartrain Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near LA 946 / Joor Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 91.4 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 1.1 miles (LA 946 / Joor Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles (US 190 / Florida Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 81.9 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
65 ft-1 ft
Total Climb
4 ft
Total Descent
71 ft
Highest Point
65 ft
Elevation Range
67 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Central, LA and Gretna, LA, road signs point toward New Orleans and Business District.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 91.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.5 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Gretna, LA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (LA 946 / Joor Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles (US 190 / Florida Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 81.9 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gretna, LA before heading back.
