Traveling from Denham Springs to New Orleans is a straightforward 85-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 38 minutes. Because both cities are located within the Southeast region of Louisiana, you will remain in a familiar environment throughout the transit. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination quickly without the need for an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of just $13, it is an economical choice for those looking to travel between these two points. Expect a direct, highway-focused drive that prioritizes efficiency over scenic detours. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick excursion, this trip offers a simple and predictable transit experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.5 miles from Denham Springs, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
29.4 mi
31m
West Florida Republic Parkway
27.5 mi
29m
I 10
20.5 mi
25m
Pontchartrain Expressway
3.5 mi
4m
Corporal Shawn Kelly Memorial Boulevard
1.7 mi
2m
North Range Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Tulane Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
South Claiborne Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
— 29.4 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denham Springs, LA and New Orleans, LA.
1
Start on Benton Street
228 ft·18 sec·Benton Street
2
Turn left onto Centerville Street Northwest
306 ft·13 sec·Centerville Street Northwest
3
Turn right onto LA 16
0.4 mi·35 sec·North Range Avenue
4
Continue on LA 3002
1.7 mi·2 min·Corporal Shawn Kelly Memorial Boulevard
5
Continue on LA 3002
0.2 mi·26 sec·South Range Avenue
6
Turn left
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 12 East: Hammond
7
Merge onto I 12
27 mi·29 min·West Florida Republic Parkway
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 38AToward I 55 South: New Orleans
9
Merge onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 10
20 mi·25 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
3.5 mi·4 min·Pontchartrain Expressway
Toward New Orleans, Business DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 234BToward Poydras Street, SuperdomeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Turn left onto South Claiborne Avenue
0.3 mi·40 sec·South Claiborne Avenue
15
Turn right onto Tulane Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Tulane Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Tulane Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling. Aim to leave during off-peak hours if you want to avoid potential congestion on the main highways, especially as you approach the metropolitan area. Because there are no scheduled stops required for this 85-mile stretch, you can easily complete the drive in one go without worrying about extended travel fatigue. Keep your $13 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, and ensure your tank is ready before you hit the main highways. Since the route relies heavily on I-10, check local traffic reports before you leave to ensure the flow remains steady along that primary corridor.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 42.5 miles from Denham Springs, LA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.4 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 19 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.5 miles or 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Orleans, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Denham Springs, LA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Denham Springs, LA
This is one driving day of about 85 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Denham Springs, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway for about 29.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 84.1 — 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|Centerville Street Northwest
Turn left onto Centerville Street Northwest
Navigation decision point
6
2.4 mi into trip|~4m in
Turn left toward I 12 East: Hammond
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 12 East: Hammond
8
80.1 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway toward New Orleans, Business District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward New Orleans, Business District
6
83.6 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
84.1 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 234B
Toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.84 one way
$25.67 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$14.09
$28.18
premium
$4.56
$15.26
$30.51
diesel
$5.61
$18.77
$37.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.5
0
$8.92
$4.08
Efficient EV
21.3
0
$7.44
$3.40
EV Truck/SUV
34
0
$11.90
$5.44
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Denham Springs, LA
Late night
in Denham Springs on Sunday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Orleans, LA
Late night
in New Orleans on Sunday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
SE 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
3 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
1h 38m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is defined by its heavy reliance on major thoroughfares, with approximately 61% of your travel time spent on highways. You will navigate via Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway, West Florida Republic Parkway, and I-10 to complete the distance. A significant portion of the trip involves a 29.4-mile stretch along Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the journey. The experience is primarily an interstate-focused grind, designed to move you efficiently from the suburban landscape of Denham Springs into the urban center of New Orleans. Prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace that stays focused on getting you to your destination without unnecessary local road navigation.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.4 mi on Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway and West Florida Republic Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Centerville Street Northwest.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Centerville Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 80.1 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Denham Springs, LA to New Orleans, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Business District along the way.
Way down yonder in New Orleans (French: La Nouvelle-Orléans), you'll find the roots of jazz and a blossoming culture that is unlike anything else on Earth. Here, the laid-back atmosphere of the riverfront South has mixed with French sophistication, Spanish style, and African-American energy to create something greater than the sum of its parts. "NOLA" is the largest city in Louisiana and one of the top tourist destinations in the United States.
"Laissez les bons temps rouler" is what they say here in the Big Easy, and you too can "let the good times roll" with a cool stroll down Bourbon Street, a hot Dixieland band, and even hotter Creole cuisine. Mardi Gras may be the city's calling card, but that's just one day out of the hot and muggy year in New Orleans.
Go ahead, take a riverboat down the Mississippi, munch on some beignets, and watch the Saints go marchin' in.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 85 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.4 miles on Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 New Orleans, LA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Centerville Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 80.1 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at New Orleans, LA before heading back.
