Cullen, LA to Metairie, LA is 354.9 miles and takes about 7h 3m via I 49 and I 10, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a mostly highway trip that should feel straightforward for most drivers. With two recommended stops and a comfortable drive time, it’s a feasible one-day excursion for many.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
177.5 miles from Cullen, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 49
142.5 mi
2h 23m
I 10
76.5 mi
1h 27m
US 190
49.5 mi
1h 3m
US 371
44 mi
1h 3m
Highway 371
27 mi
40m
US 84
6.6 mi
9m
LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi
5m
Ringgold Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 142.5 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cullen, LA and Metairie, LA.
1
Start on Henrietta White Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Henrietta White Boulevard
2
Turn left onto US 371
27 mi·40 min·Highway 371
3
Take the ramp onto US 371
2.7 mi·3 min·US 371
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward South US 371, North LA 159: Minden, Sibley
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward South US 371: Sibley
6
Continue on US 371
39 mi·55 min·US 371
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 371
0.2 mi·21 sec·HWY 371
8
Turn straight onto US 71; US 371
1.4 mi·2 min·Ringgold Avenue
9
Turn right
131 ft·2 sec
10
Continue on US 371
0.8 mi·1 min·US 371
11
Turn right onto US 84; US 371
0.2 mi·16 sec·HWY 84 EAST
12
Continue on US 84; US 371
6.6 mi·9 min·US 84; US 371
13
Continue on US 371; LA 177
2.0 mi·3 min·US 371; LA 177
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
15
Merge onto I 49
143 mi·2 hr 23 min·I 49
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
17
Keep slight left at fork
362 ft·9 sec
Toward US 190 East: Baton Rouge
18
Merge onto US 190
49 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 190
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi·5 min·LA 415 Spur
20
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Baton Rouge
21
Merge onto I 10
77 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 228Toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·55 sec
Toward Causeway Boulevard SouthUse the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto North Causeway Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·North Causeway Boulevard
25
Turn left onto 46th Street
88 ft·5 sec·46th Street
26
Turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
285 ft·17 sec·North Causeway Boulevard
27
Turn left onto 47th Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·47th Street
28
Arrive at destination
Fagot Avenue
Trip Plan
Starting early is a good idea to maximize daylight, especially since this is a 7-hour drive. You have two stops planned, which helps break up the 354.9 miles. Consider taking your longer breaks around the halfway point to stretch and refuel. Given the $49 estimated fuel cost, it's wise to check prices along I 49 and I 10 before you depart. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but be mindful of the longest stretch of 142.5 miles on I 49; plan your fuel stops accordingly.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 177.5 miles from Cullen, LA, or about 3h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.5 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 78 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177.5 miles or 3h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Metairie, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cullen, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cullen, LA
This is one driving day of about 354.9 miles and 7h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Cullen, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 49 for about 142.5 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 30.1 and 353.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
30.1 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the exit toward South US 371, North LA 159: Minden, Sibley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward South US 371, North LA 159: Minden, Sibl...
6
30.3 mi into trip|~44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward South US 371: Sibley
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward South US 371: Sibley
6
223.7 mi into trip|~4h 23m in|US 190
Merge onto US 190
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
353.6 mi into trip|~6h 59m in
Take the exit toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 228
Toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel...
7
353.7 mi into trip|~6h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Causeway Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Causeway Boulevard South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.27 one way
$98.53 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$55.12
$110.24
premium
$4.29
$59.93
$119.86
diesel
$4.80
$67.01
$134.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.5
1
$37.26
$17.04
Efficient EV
88.7
1
$31.05
$14.20
EV Truck/SUV
142
1
$49.69
$22.71
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
42 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
Cullen, LA
Evening
in Cullen on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 21 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Metairie, LA
Evening
in Metairie on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 21 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
97°F
Alexandria, LA
177 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 3m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 354.9
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 110.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is 99% highway, so expect to spend most of your time on interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 142.5 miles on I 49. You’ll transition to US 190 for a small portion, which may offer a change of pace with more local traffic and exits. Given the highway focus, be prepared for varying levels of traffic density as you approach and pass through populated areas.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.5 mi on I 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.1 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 354.9 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 30.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 223.7 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
254 ft1 ft
Total Climb
129 ft
Total Descent
377 ft
Highest Point
254 ft
~50.8 mi in
Elevation Range
253 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cullen, LA and Metairie, LA, road signs point toward Sibley and Opelousas.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 3m. Total distance: 354.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 142.5 miles on I 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Metairie, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 30.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 223.7 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and 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 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Metairie, LA before the return drive.
