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
Traffic on I-12
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,067 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~225 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 18 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
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 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse 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.
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
$43.49 one way
$86.98 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$48.66
$97.32
premium
$4.29
$52.90
$105.81
diesel
$4.80
$59.16
$118.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
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, 2026-07-13.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Covington, LA
Late night
in Covington on Monday
Local time
4:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:02AM CDT until July 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Shreveport, LA
Late night
in Shreveport on Monday
Local time
4:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:02AM CDT until July 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
76°F
Alexandria, 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
4 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
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cane River Creole National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Cane River region is home to a unique culture; the Creoles. Generations of the same families of workers, enslaved and tenant, and owners lived on these lands for over 200 years. The park tells the...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 226.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
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 Effort9/10
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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
181 ft24 ft
Total Climb
204 ft
Total Descent
46 ft
Highest Point
181 ft
~313.3 mi in
Elevation Range
158 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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.
Top landmarks
•Petroleum Tower — 16-story high-rise office building located at 425 Edwards Street at the corner o...
•Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium — theater and meeting hall in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
•Strand Theatre — theater in Shreveport, Louisiana
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 with national parks nearby.
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.
Yes — we found about 15 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 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. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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.
