Trip from Chauvin, LA to Monroe, LA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 56m

Distance

304 mi

489 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 44m ★

6 AM

5h 57m

8 AM

6h 23m

10 AM

6h 6m

12 PM

6h 3m

3 PM

6h 7m

5 PM

6h 22m

8 PM

5h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Chauvin, LA

Israyosoy S.

Monroe, LA

Perry Z

Trip Overview

This 304-mile drive from Chauvin, Louisiana, to Monroe, Louisiana, will take approximately 5 hours and 56 minutes. It's a manageable one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The route primarily utilizes the Raceland-M C Expressway and Monroe Highway, offering a mixed driving experience across the Southeast region of Louisiana. With an estimated fuel cost of $46, this journey is relatively budget-friendly. You'll find the drive to be a practical option for getting between these two points efficiently.

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

152 miles from Chauvin, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Raceland-M C Expressway	84 mi	1h 31m
Monroe Highway	82.5 mi	1h 36m
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway	76.1 mi	1h 17m
Highway 56	11.1 mi	16m
Veterans Memorial Expressway	10.2 mi	11m
Bayou Blue Road	7.5 mi	12m
US 165	6.1 mi	7m
Southeast Evangeline Thruway	6 mi	9m

Longest stretch: Raceland-M C Expressway — 84 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chauvin, LA and Monroe, LA.

Start on Chauvin Street

99 ft · 9 sec · Chauvin Street

Turn left onto LA 56

11 mi · 16 min · Highway 56

Continue on LA 24

2.8 mi · 4 min · East Main Street

Turn right onto Prospect Boulevard

1.9 mi · 3 min · Prospect Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto LA 316

7.5 mi · 12 min · Bayou Blue Road

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 204 Toward US 90 West: Morgan City

Merge onto US 90

84 mi · 1 hr 31 min · Raceland-M C Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.4 mi · 24 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.4 mi · 28 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Take the exit onto LA 92-1

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Young Street

Continue on LA 92-1

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Young Street

Turn right onto St Etienne Road

1.0 mi · 3 min · St Etienne Road

At end of road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive

0.1 mi · 22 sec · East Fairfield Drive

Turn left onto LA 3073

1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway

Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Morgan Avenue

Turn right onto US 90; LA 182

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

Keep slight left at fork

158 ft · 7 sec

Turn left onto US 90; LA 182

2.5 mi · 2 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway

Continue on US 90; LA 182

6.0 mi · 9 min · Southeast Evangeline Thruway

Continue on I 49; LA 182

8.8 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Expressway

Continue on I 49; US 167

76 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway

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

Keep slight left at fork onto US 167

4.6 mi · 6 min · US 167

Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 17 sec

Toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

337 ft · 8 sec

Toward US 165 North: Monroe

Merge onto US 165

83 mi · 1 hr 36 min · Monroe Highway

Turn straight onto US 165

6.1 mi · 7 min · US 165

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Merge onto I 20

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 20

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center

Keep slight right at fork

303 ft · 7 sec

Turn straight onto US 165 Business; LA 15

0.5 mi · 45 sec · Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway

Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15

0.3 mi · 35 sec · North 6th Street

Turn left onto US 80; US 165 Business; LA 15

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Louisville Avenue

Turn left

45 ft · 5 sec

Turn right

38 ft · 2 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour and 56-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Chauvin to maximize your daylight hours and arrive in Monroe with time to spare. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 84 miles on the Raceland-M C Expressway, as services might be less frequent in certain areas. The $46 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to budget a little extra 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 152 miles from Chauvin, LA, or about 3h 4m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84 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 67 miles or 1h 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 152 miles or 3h 4m 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 51m

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 Chauvin, 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 Chauvin, LA

This is one driving day of about 304 miles and 5h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Chauvin, 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 Raceland-M C Expressway for about 84 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lafayette, LA

152 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Lafayette, LA to Monroe, LA

184 mi · 3h 28m

Pacing Suggestions

Addis, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lafayette, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 152 miles from Chauvin, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Raceland-M C Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Warehouse No 1 Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Monroe, Louisiana

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13183221340

Visit website

Restaurant Cotton

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Monroe, Louisiana

0.6 mi

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

West Monroe, Louisiana

2.5 mi

Warehouse No 1 Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13183221340

Visit website

Restaurant Cotton

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Expensive

Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13183250818

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

West Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13183255505

Visit website

The Creek Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Woodworth, Louisiana

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+13184490674

Prejean's

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+13378963247

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Broussard, Louisiana

+18668167584

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

West Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

West Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13183436910

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

West Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

I-49 Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

TA

1.4 mi from route

Chauvin Sculpture Garden & Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Chauvin, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19855942546

Da Swamp

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Houma, Louisiana

Hours: 4–8 pm

+19853333013

Visit website

Cajun Man's Swamp Tours and Adventures LLC

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Morgan City, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19858684625

Visit website

Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13183292400

Visit website

Explore Houma

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Gray, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19858682732

Visit website

Breakin' The Code

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Houma, Louisiana

Hours: 1–8 pm

+19853030172

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 31

5 decision points cluster between mile 13.9 and 212.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

13.9 mi into trip | ~21m in | Prospect Boulevard

Turn right onto Prospect Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

109 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in | US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

207.6 mi into trip | ~4h 1m 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...

212.2 mi into trip | ~4h 7m 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

212.4 mi into trip | ~4h 8m 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

$45.91 one way

$91.82 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 106 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$50.40	$100.80
premium	$4.56	$54.56	$109.13
diesel	$5.61	$67.12	$134.24

Estimated Tolls: $0.59

Southeast Evangeline Thruway (6 mi) $0.42

Southwest Evangeline Thruway (2.5 mi) $0.17

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 106.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	91.2	1	$31.92	$14.59
Efficient EV	76	0	$26.60	$12.16
EV Truck/SUV	121.6	1	$42.56	$19.46

Gas CO2

106 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (66% 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Chauvin, LA

Late night in Chauvin on Tuesday

Local time

5:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Monroe, LA

Late night in Monroe on Tuesday

Local time

5:13 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

17 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

5h 56m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive on this route, with about 39% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches like the 84-mile segment on the Raceland-M C Expressway, which offers a more continuous pace. The Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway also contributes to the overall character of the drive. As you progress, the road conditions and speed will vary, transitioning between faster highway sections and potentially more local road segments, requiring you to adjust your driving style accordingly.

39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 84 mi on Raceland-M C Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.9 miles in near Prospect Boulevard.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 31 significant decision points across 304 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 13.9 miles (Prospect Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 109 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 207.6 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in Monroe, LA

Full guide →

Monroe is the third-largest city in Northern Louisiana, largest city in Northeast Louisiana, and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish. It is also home to the University of Louisiana at Monroe and their sports team, the ULM Warhawks. Founded as Fort Miro, it took on the name of Monroe after the paddle-wheeler James Monroe that came to town in the early 19th century, and, by extrapolation, the former president James Monroe. An interesting bit of trivia is that Monroe was once the headquarters of Delta Airlines, which got its start as the crop dusting operation Delta Dusters in nearby Tallulah. Slathered down with highly religious views and the effects of years of racial inequality, Monroe can have a rather gritty appearance imbued with a fragrant aroma from its paper mill, but, well, take heart, Wikivoyage traveler.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 56m. Total distance: 304 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 84 miles on Raceland-M C Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.59 in tolls one way, starting with Southeast Evangeline Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

Yes — we found about 9 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 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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 Monroe, LA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Chauvin, LA to Monroe, LA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Warehouse No 1 Restaurant

Warehouse No 1 Restaurant

Restaurant Cotton

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

The Creek Restaurant

Prejean's

EV Connect Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

I-49 Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

TA

Chauvin Sculpture Garden & Art

Da Swamp

Cajun Man's Swamp Tours and Adventures LLC

Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo

Explore Houma

Breakin' The Code

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Chauvin, LA

Monroe, LA

Same local time

17 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 56m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Monroe, LA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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