This 209.3-mile drive from Chalmette, Louisiana, to Alexandria, Louisiana, is a manageable 4-hour and 9-minute journey. Designed as a single-day trip, it offers a straightforward path through the heart of Louisiana. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, this highway-focused route is an economical option for reaching your destination. You'll primarily travel on I 10 and Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, experiencing a consistent pace for most of the drive. Given its relatively short duration, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience and arrive with ample daylight.
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
104.7 miles from Chalmette, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
78.8 mi
1h 30m
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
64.9 mi
1h 5m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
I 610
4.1 mi
5m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
West Judge Perez Drive
2.9 mi
6m
North Claiborne Avenue
2.8 mi
6m
Franklin Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 78.8 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chalmette, LA and Alexandria, LA.
1
Start on LA 39
175 ft·6 sec·West Judge Perez Drive
2
Turn right onto Montesquieu Street
169 ft·7 sec·Montesquieu Street
3
Turn right onto Oak Place
352 ft·14 sec·Oak Place
4
Turn right onto Fenelon Street
166 ft·5 sec·Fenelon Street
5
Turn left onto LA 39
2.8 mi·6 min·West Judge Perez Drive
6
Continue on LA 39
2.8 mi·6 min·North Claiborne Avenue
7
Turn right onto Franklin Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Franklin Avenue
8
Keep slight left at fork onto Franklin Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Franklin Avenue
9
Keep slight left at fork onto Franklin Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Franklin Avenue
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
11
Continue on I 610
4.1 mi·5 min·I 610
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 10
75 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the right lane.
16
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi·4 min·North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
19
Merge onto I 49; US 167
65 mi·1 hr 5 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward M L King Drive, Downtown Alexandria
21
Continue on 10th Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·10th Street
22
Turn right onto Murray Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Murray Street
23
Arrive at destination
Murray Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 9-minute drive, an early morning departure from Chalmette will allow you to reach Alexandria with plenty of time to spare. With only one recommended stop, you can plan to refuel and take a break around the halfway point to maximize your time on the road. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 78.8-mile stretch on I 10, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas. The $32 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer for unexpected needs.
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 104.7 miles from Chalmette, LA, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.8 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 46 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.7 miles or 2h 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 3h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chalmette, 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 Chalmette, LA
This is one driving day of about 209.3 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Chalmette, 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 I 10 for about 78.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 90.7 — 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|Montesquieu Street
Turn right onto Montesquieu Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Oak Place
Turn right onto Oak Place
Navigation decision point
6
86.4 mi into trip|~1h 47m 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
90.3 mi into trip|~1h 52m 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
90.7 mi into trip|~1h 53m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.61 one way
$63.22 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$34.70
$69.40
premium
$4.56
$37.57
$75.13
diesel
$5.61
$46.21
$92.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.8
0
$21.98
$10.05
Efficient EV
52.3
0
$18.31
$8.37
EV Truck/SUV
83.7
1
$29.30
$13.40
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Chalmette, LA
Night
in Chalmette on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alexandria, LA
Night
in Alexandria on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°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
4h 9m 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.
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?
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 63% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 78.8 miles on I 10, providing a solid block of consistent travel. While much of the journey maintains highway speeds, the inclusion of Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and State Route 1 suggests a potential shift in scenery and pace as you transition between these road types. Expect a generally efficient drive, with fewer opportunities for spontaneous roadside exploration compared to more rural routes.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.8 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Montesquieu Street.
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 16 significant decision points across 209.3 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: near the start (Montesquieu Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Oak Place): Navigation decision point; at 86.4 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Chalmette is a suburb of New Orleans in Louisiana, USA.
Chalmette is the "Parish seat" (equivalent to a county in other states) of Saint Bernard Parish, known to locals simply as "The Parish".
Alexandria is a historic city, rich in Louisiana history. Civil War historic sites along with easy access to numerous historic locations and Kisatchie National Forest sites make it a city ideal for history enthusiasts and sportsmen.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 209.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.8 miles on I 10. 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 Alexandria, 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 (Montesquieu Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Oak Place): Navigation decision point; at 86.4 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Alexandria, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
