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Trip from Covington, LA to Shreveport, LA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 46m

Distance

313.3 mi

504 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 33m ★
6 AM
5h 47m
8 AM
6h 13m
10 AM
5h 56m
12 PM
5h 53m
3 PM
5h 57m
5 PM
6h 12m
8 PM
5h 39m

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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city in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States

Covington, LA

Wikimedia Commons

parish seat of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, United States

Shreveport, LA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 313.3-mile journey from Covington, LA, to Shreveport, LA, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 5 hours and 46 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost around $47, it's an economical option for exploring more of Louisiana. The route primarily utilizes roads like the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and State Route 1, with 37% of the drive being on highways. This drive offers a mixed experience, making it a straightforward, manageable trip for a single day. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region for the entirety of this drive.

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

156.6 miles from Covington, LA

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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway 186.3 mi 3h 10m
West Florida Republic Parkway 59.4 mi 1h 4m
State Route 1 49 mi 1h 2m
I 10 7.5 mi 9m
North Lobdell Highway 3.6 mi 4m
South Tyler Street 2 mi 3m
Highway 21 1 mi 1m
Caddo Street 0.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway — 186.3 mi, about 3h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Covington, LA and Shreveport, LA.

1

Start on this road

150 ft · 5 sec · this road
2

Turn slight right

197 ft · 3 sec
3

Turn straight onto US 190 Business; LA 21

0.4 mi · 45 sec · West 21st Avenue
4

Turn left onto LA 21

2.0 mi · 3 min · South Tyler Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Continue on LA 21

1.0 mi · 1 min · Highway 21
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 12 West: Hammond
7

Merge onto I 12

59 mi · 1 hr 4 min · West Florida Republic Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 10

3.6 mi · 4 min · I 10
Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

3.9 mi · 4 min · I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Exit 151 Toward LA 415: Lobdell Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

317 ft · 7 sec
Toward LA 415: Lobdell Use the right lane.
12

Merge onto LA 415

3.6 mi · 4 min · North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Merge onto US 190; LA 1

49 mi · 1 hr 2 min · State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
15

Merge onto I 49; US 167

186 mi · 3 hr 10 min · Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
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 5-hour and 46-minute estimated drive time, starting your trip from Covington in the morning is advisable to reach Shreveport comfortably within the same day. You'll have one primary stop to consider along the 313.3-mile route. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 186.3 miles on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination or a convenient refueling point. The flexibility of a single-day drive means you can adjust your pace as needed.

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 156.6 miles from Covington, LA, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.3 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 69 miles or 1h 18m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 156.6 miles or 3h 3m 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 45m

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 Covington, 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 Covington, LA

This is one driving day of about 313.3 miles and 5h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Covington, 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 Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 186.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

suburb city of Lafayette, located in Lafayette and St. Martin parishes, Louisiana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Broussard, LA

157 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

Baton Rouge, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Alexandria, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 156.6 miles from Covington, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.3 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Bon Asian Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Shreveport, Louisiana

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 313.3

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+13182207373

Visit website

Tope La Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hammond, Louisiana

1.9 mi

Parrain's Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

1.9 mi

Bon Asian Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 313.3

Shreveport, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+13182207373

Visit website

Tope La Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 22.4

Hammond, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19855427600

Visit website

Parrain's Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12253819922

Visit website

Our Mom's Restaurant and Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.4

Hammond, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19856625038

Visit website

Court Street Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.1

Port Allen, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12253304669

Visit website

Cork's Cajun Fried Fish & Shrimp

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+12254789128

Visit website

Rusty Pelican - Covington

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

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

Covington, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19854002600

Visit website

Copeland's of New Orleans

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Covington, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19858099659

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 22.4

Hammond, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Green Park Park & Charge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Green Park Baton Rouge Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

13th Gate Escape, Louisiana's Ultimate Escape Games

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–10:15 pm

+12253891313

Visit website

USS KIDD Veterans Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 9:30 am–3:30 pm

+12253421942

Visit website

Riverfront Plaza & City Dock

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Louisiana Art & Science Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+12253445272

Visit website

Knock Knock Children's Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+12253883090

Visit website

Capitol Park Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+12253425428

Visit website

North Boulevard Town Square

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12253895520

Sing the River Sculpture

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 67.1

Baton Rouge, LA

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 310.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | LA 21 / South Tyler Street

Turn left onto LA 21 / South Tyler Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
66.7 mi into trip | ~1h 16m 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
70.7 mi into trip | ~1h 20m 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
71 mi into trip | ~1h 21m 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
6
310.3 mi into trip | ~5h 40m 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

$47.32 one way

$94.63 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $51.94 $103.88
premium $4.56 $56.23 $112.47
diesel $5.61 $69.17 $138.35

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 109.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 94 1 $32.90 $15.04
Efficient EV 78.3 0 $27.41 $12.53
EV Truck/SUV 125.3 1 $43.86 $20.05

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 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 15, 2026

Origin

Covington, LA

Evening in Covington on Saturday

Local time

8:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Shreveport, LA

Evening in Shreveport on Saturday

Local time

8:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

81°F

Broussard, LA

157 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

5h 46m 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, not a monotonous interstate grind. While 37% of the journey is on highways, you'll also encounter other types of roads, including State Route 1. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll cover is 186.3 miles on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, offering a substantial period of consistent travel. The road character will likely shift as you progress, moving between faster-paced highway sections and potentially more varied local road conditions.

37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.3 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 0.4 miles in near LA 21 / South Tyler Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 14 significant decision points across 313.3 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: at 0.4 miles (LA 21 / South Tyler Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 66.7 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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 5h 46m. Total distance: 313.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 186.3 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson 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 Shreveport, 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 0.4 miles (LA 21 / South Tyler Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 66.7 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Shreveport, 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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