Origin
Cottonport, LA
Late night in Cottonport on Tuesday
Local time
4:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cottonport, LA to Shreveport, LA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 11m
Distance
171.7 mi
276 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 0m
★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 35m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 21m
5 PM
3h 34m
8 PM
3h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cottonport, LA
Kari Alfonso
Shreveport, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cottonport, LA to Shreveport, LA is 171.7 miles and takes about 3h 11m via I 49 and Highway 29, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to the same region. For the most part, you'll be on the interstate, making for a straightforward trip. It's a good option for a single-day excursion, with plenty of time to spare for any unexpected delays or a leisurely pace.
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
85.9 miles from Cottonport, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 49 | 152.3 mi | 2h 35m |
| Highway 29 | 4 mi | 7m |
| Highway 115 West | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Highway 29 East | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Macarthur Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Front Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Evergreen Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Caddo Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 152.3 mi, about 2h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonport, LA and Shreveport, LA.
1
Start on Carmen
97 ft
·
6 sec
·
Carmen
2
Turn right onto Sycamore Street
341 ft
·
17 sec
·
Sycamore Street
3
Turn right onto LA 107
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Cottonport Avenue
4
Turn left onto LA 29
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
5
Continue on LA 29
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Highway 29
6
Continue on LA 29
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
7
Continue on LA 29
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Highway 29 East
8
Continue on LA 29; LA 115
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Evergreen Street
9
Continue on LA 29; LA 115
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Church Street
10
Turn left onto LA 115
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Lexington Avenue
11
Turn right onto LA 115
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Macarthur Street
12
Continue on LA 115
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Highway 115 West
13
Continue on LA 115
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Macarthur Street
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 49 North: Alexandria
15
Merge onto I 49
152 mi
·
2 hr 35 min
·
I 49
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
17
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pete Harris Drive
18
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Caddo Street
19
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
20
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft
·
1 sec
·
River Parkway
21
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3h 11m drive time, starting your trip in the morning from Cottonport allows for a relaxed arrival in Shreveport. You'll cover 171.7 miles with a fuel cost estimated around $26, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing, especially considering the longest stretch on I 49 is over 150 miles. There's only one recommended stop, so plan your break strategically along the highway. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility if traffic or weather impact your schedule.
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 85.9 miles from Cottonport, LA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.3 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 38 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.9 miles or 1h 40m 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 36m
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 Cottonport, 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 Cottonport, LA
This is one driving day of about 171.7 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Cottonport, 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 49 for about 152.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.9 miles from Cottonport, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 168.8 — 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
|
Sycamore Street
Turn right onto Sycamore Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
LA 107 / Cottonport Avenue
Turn right onto LA 107 / Cottonport Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
LA 29 / Front Street
Turn left onto LA 29 / Front Street
Navigation decision point
4
10.7 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
LA 115 / South Lexington Avenue
Turn left onto LA 115 / South Lexington Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
168.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m 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
$25.93 one way
$51.86 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $28.47 | $56.93 |
| premium | $4.56 | $30.82 | $61.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.91 | $75.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.5 | 0 | $18.03 | $8.24 |
| Efficient EV | 42.9 | 0 | $15.02 | $6.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.7 | 0 | $24.04 | $10.99 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Shreveport, LA
Late night in Shreveport on Tuesday
Local time
4:44 AM
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
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
3h 11m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 95% of the 171.7 miles on interstates or major roadways. You'll experience a long stretch of 152.3 miles on I 49, indicating extended highway cruising with fewer turns. The transition to surface roads, likely Highway 29 and Highway 115 West, will occur later in the trip. Expect relatively consistent speeds and a predictable driving experience for most of the 3h 11m duration.
95% 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: 152.3 mi on I 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and Highway 29. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Sycamore Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 11m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sycamore Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (LA 107 / Cottonport Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (LA 29 / Front Street): Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Arriving in Shreveport, LA
Full guide →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.
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 3h 11m. Total distance: 171.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 152.3 miles on I 49. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sycamore Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (LA 107 / Cottonport Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (LA 29 / Front Street): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Shreveport, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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