Trip from DeRidder, LA to Central, LA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 27m

Distance

161.3 mi

260 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 15m ★

6 AM

3h 27m

8 AM

3h 51m

10 AM

3h 36m

12 PM

3h 33m

3 PM

3h 37m

5 PM

3h 50m

8 PM

3h 20m

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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small city and the parish seat of Beauregard Parish, Louisiana, United States

DeRidder, LA

Wikimedia Commons

Central, LA

Jesus Alfonso

Trip Overview

Traveling from DeRidder to Central, Louisiana, covers a span of 161.3 miles that you can comfortably complete in about 3 hours and 27 minutes. Because this journey is well within the range of a single day, you do not need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to cover the trip, making it an affordable excursion through the southeastern part of the state. The drive utilizes a mix of West Vine Street, US 190, and the Basile Eunice Highway to connect these two locations. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this straightforward route offers a manageable pace for any driver. It serves as an efficient connection across the region, allowing you to reach your destination without the stress of a multi-day haul.

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

80.6 miles from DeRidder, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
West Vine Street	51.7 mi	1h 6m
US 190	30.1 mi	45m
Basile Eunice Highway	27.8 mi	31m
Highway 171	22.6 mi	25m
3rd Avenue	13 mi	14m
Hooper Road	7 mi	11m
West Landry Street	4.4 mi	4m
West 1st Street	2.5 mi	2m

Longest stretch: West Vine Street — 51.7 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between DeRidder, LA and Central, LA.

Start on LA 27

155 ft · 6 sec · South Pine Street

Turn right onto US 171; US 190

2.5 mi · 2 min · West 1st Street

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 171; US 190

23 mi · 25 min · Highway 171

Take the exit onto US 190

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 190

At end of road, turn left onto US 190

23 mi · 34 min · US 190

Turn right onto US 190

0.4 mi · 41 sec · 8th Street

Turn left onto US 190

13 mi · 14 min · 3rd Avenue

Continue on US 190

28 mi · 31 min · Basile Eunice Highway

Continue on US 190

4.4 mi · 4 min · West Landry Street

Turn slight right onto US 190

52 mi · 1 hr 6 min · West Vine Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 190; LA 1

6.4 mi · 9 min · US 190; LA 1

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward LA 67: Plank Road, Baker, Zachary, Clinton

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Toward LA 67: Plank Road, Baker, Zachary, Clinton Use the right lane.

Turn straight onto LA 67

0.9 mi · 1 min · Plank Road

Turn right onto LA 408

7.0 mi · 11 min · Hooper Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Arrive at destination

LA 408

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3-hour and 27-minute trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and stay sharp behind the wheel. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to avoid potential traffic fluctuations as you transition onto the busier sections of US 190. Since your fuel budget is estimated at $25, consider filling up before you leave DeRidder to ensure you have plenty of range for the entire 161.3-mile distance. Keep a close eye on the transition points between the Basile Eunice Highway and the other local roads, as these junctions are where you will likely need to adjust your speed most frequently. Using your single allotted stop to refuel or grab a quick snack will help you maintain a steady, comfortable pace until you arrive in Central.

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 80.6 miles from DeRidder, LA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.7 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 35 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 80.6 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 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Central, LA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving DeRidder, 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 DeRidder, LA

This is one driving day of about 161.3 miles and 3h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from DeRidder, 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 West Vine Street for about 51.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Opelousas, LA

81 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

Kinder, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Eunice, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.6 miles from DeRidder, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Court Street Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Port Allen, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12253304669

Visit website

restaurant

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

+12259933448

Green Park Park & Charge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

GreenPark Charging Station

1.7 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 154.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street

Turn right onto US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

48.9 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in | US 190 / 8th Street

Turn right onto US 190 / 8th Street

Navigation decision point

152.7 mi into trip | ~3h 12m in

Take the exit toward LA 67: Plank Road, Baker, Zachary, Clinton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward LA 67: Plank Road, Baker, Zachary, Clint...

153 mi into trip | ~3h 12m in

Keep slight left at fork toward LA 67: Plank Road, Baker, Zachary, Clinton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward LA 67: Plank Road, Baker, Zachary, Clint...

154.3 mi into trip | ~3h 15m in | LA 408 / Hooper Road

Turn right onto LA 408 / Hooper Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.36 one way

$48.72 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$26.74	$53.48
premium	$4.56	$28.95	$57.90
diesel	$5.61	$35.61	$71.23

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	48.4	$16.94	$7.74
Efficient EV	40.3	$14.11	$6.45
EV Truck/SUV	64.5	$22.58	$10.32

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (66% 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 20, 2026

Origin

DeRidder, LA

Late night in DeRidder on Tuesday

Local time

5:48 AM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Central, LA

Late night in Central on Tuesday

Local time

5:48 AM

CDT

Current temp

86°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

Very similar conditions

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

Road read

3h 27m 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 trip features a mixed drive profile that keeps the experience varied rather than monotonous. You will spend about 33% of your time on highways, balancing higher-speed segments with more local road travel. Be prepared for a steady start, as the longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, covering 51.7 miles along West Vine Street. As you transition between the various roads, the character of the pavement and the flow of traffic will shift accordingly. Navigating these different road types requires a bit of focus, but the overall rhythm of the drive remains consistent throughout the 161.3-mile journey.

33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 51.7 mi on West Vine Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 161.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 (US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 48.9 miles (US 190 / 8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 152.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

202 ft 20 ft

Total Climb

69 ft

Total Descent

206 ft

Highest Point

202 ft

Elevation Range

182 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between DeRidder, LA and Central, LA, road signs point toward Baker, Zachary and Clinton.

Baker

152.7 mi in | ~3h 12m

Zachary

152.7 mi in | ~3h 12m

Clinton

152.7 mi in | ~3h 12m

About the Cities

Starting in DeRidder, LA

Full guide →

De Ridder is a small city in Louisiana. It can boast of being the hometown of Chris Cagle.

Arriving in Central, LA

Full guide →

Central is a region in Louisiana. This area is also known as Cenla or the Crossroads.

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 27m. Total distance: 161.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 51.7 miles on West Vine Street. 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Central, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Central, LA to DeRidder, LA

Plan the drive back the other way.

160.7 mi 3h 26m

Explore more options from DeRidder, LA or browse trips ending in Central, LA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse LA road trips.

Trip from DeRidder, LA to Central, LA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Court Street Cafe

restaurant

Green Park Park & Charge

Nissan Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Green Park Baton Rouge Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

GreenPark Charging Station

Red E Charging Station

Central Sports Park

West Baton Rouge Museum

Capitol Park Museum

Riverfront Plaza & City Dock

Louisiana Art & Science Museum

USS KIDD Veterans Museum

13th Gate Escape, Louisiana's Ultimate Escape Games

North Boulevard Town Square

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

DeRidder, LA

Central, LA

Same local time

Very similar conditions

3h 27m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in DeRidder, LA

Arriving in Central, LA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Central, LA

More from DeRidder, LA

More trips to Central, LA