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Trip from DeRidder, LA to Houma, 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

4h 18m

Distance

218.9 mi

352 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 5m ★
6 AM
4h 19m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 28m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 44m
8 PM
4h 11m

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

only incorporated city and parish seat of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, United States

Houma, LA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 218.9 miles across Louisiana, this route from DeRidder to Houma is a straightforward trek that takes approximately 4 hours and 18 minutes of driving time. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay, making it an ideal choice for a direct commute or a day trip. You can expect to spend roughly $33 on fuel for the journey, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. The path connects two points within the Southeast region, transitioning you from the DeRidder area down toward the coastal landscape of Houma. It is a practical, highway-focused drive that favors efficiency over sightseeing, so prepare for a steady pace rather than a leisurely crawl.

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

109.5 miles from DeRidder, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 90 81.7 mi 1h 28m
I 10 68.3 mi 1h 13m
Highway 171 37.5 mi 43m
West Main Street 7 mi 11m
Martin Luther King Highway 4.8 mi 7m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway 4.6 mi 5m
North University Avenue 4 mi 7m
West 1st Street 2.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 90 — 81.7 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on LA 27

155 ft · 6 sec · South Pine Street
2

Turn right onto US 171; US 190

2.5 mi · 2 min · West 1st Street
Use the straight lane.
3

Continue on US 171; US 190

38 mi · 43 min · Highway 171
4

Continue on US 171

4.8 mi · 7 min · Martin Luther King Highway
5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
7

Merge onto I 10

68 mi · 1 hr 13 min · I 10
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward LA 182
9

Keep slight right at fork

306 ft · 7 sec
10

Turn slight right onto North University Avenue

4.0 mi · 7 min · North University Avenue
11

Merge onto US 90; LA 182

506 ft · 7 sec · Southeast Evangeline Thruway
12

Continue on US 90; LA 182

4.6 mi · 5 min · Southwest Evangeline Thruway
13

Turn right onto North Morgan Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Morgan Avenue
14

Turn left onto LA 3073

1.5 mi · 2 min · Ambassador Caffery Parkway
15

Turn right onto East Fairfield Drive

0.1 mi · 20 sec · East Fairfield Drive
16

Turn left onto St Etienne Road

1.0 mi · 4 min · St Etienne Road
17

At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1

0.6 mi · 52 sec · Young Street
18

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1

0.5 mi · 31 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
19

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 12 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
20

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 11 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
21

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
22

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

0.8 mi · 53 sec · Veterans Memorial Expressway
23

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

82 mi · 1 hr 28 min · US 90
24

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
25

Keep slight right at fork

394 ft · 9 sec
26

Turn straight onto LA 24

7.0 mi · 11 min · West Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
27

Turn right onto LA 312

198 ft · 10 sec · Lafayette Street
28

Turn left onto School Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · School Street
29

Arrive at destination

School Street

Trip Plan

To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs during the 4-hour and 18-minute transit. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic build-up on the busier interstate sections of the route. Since you are looking at a $33 fuel budget, it is wise to check your tank before merging onto the longer 81.7-mile stretch on US 90 to ensure you don't have to hunt for a station mid-transit. Flexibility is a major advantage on this trip, so feel free to adjust your single stop based on your energy levels rather than a rigid schedule. Keep a close eye on your GPS when transitioning between Highway 171 and the interstate to ensure you stay on the most efficient path.

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 109.5 miles from DeRidder, LA, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.7 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 48 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 109.5 miles or 2h 4m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Houma, 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 218.9 miles and 4h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 US 90 for about 81.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lafayette, LA

109 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

Lake Charles, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lafayette, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109.5 miles from DeRidder, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.7 miles.

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.

Pujo St Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm

+13374392054

Visit website

Bangkok Thai Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+13379892009

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Iowa, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

+18006360986

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Scott, Louisiana

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Houma, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Broussard, Louisiana

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Opelousas, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Lafayette, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13374826858

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Lake Charles Visitor Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13374369588

Visit website

Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route

Houma, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19855807200

Visit website

Regional Military Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Houma, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+19858738200

Visit website

Southdown Plantation & Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Houma, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+19858510154

Visit website

Gator Chateau

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Jennings, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18002645521

Visit website

Cajun Coast Tourism

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Morgan City, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19853808224

Visit website

Breakin' The Code

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Houma, Louisiana

Hours: 1–8 pm

+19853030172

Visit website

Lake End Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Morgan City, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

Visit website

New Iberia City Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

New Iberia, Louisiana

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13373692337

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 23

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 128.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
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.
5
114.1 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
127.1 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in | LA 92-1 / Young Street

At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1 / Young Street

Navigation decision point

5
128.3 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in | US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
128.5 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in | US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.06 one way

$66.12 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $36.29 $72.58
premium $4.56 $39.29 $78.58
diesel $5.61 $48.33 $96.66

Estimated Tolls: $0.32

Southwest Evangeline Thruway (4.6 mi) $0.32

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65.7 0 $22.98 $10.51
Efficient EV 54.7 0 $19.15 $8.76
EV Truck/SUV 87.6 1 $30.65 $14.01

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

5:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Houma, LA

Late night in Houma on Tuesday

Local time

5:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

84°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

2 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

4h 18m 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 trip defined by its efficiency, as 87% of this route consists of highway driving. You will navigate a combination of US 90, I-10, and Highway 171 to bridge the distance between your starting point and final destination. The road personality shifts from the initial highway stretches to a more focused transit experience, featuring a longest uninterrupted stretch of 81.7 miles on US 90. While the drive is primarily a highway-focused grind, the transition between these major arteries keeps the journey moving at a consistent speed. You won't find many technical local roads here, as the route is designed for moving you quickly through the Southeast landscape.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.7 mi on US 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 90 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 218.9 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: near the start (US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 114.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 127.1 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

202 ft 4 ft

Total Climb

26 ft

Total Descent

221 ft

Highest Point

202 ft

Elevation Range

198 ft

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 Houma, LA

Full guide →

Houma is a small city (about 33,000 people in 2019, not including suburbs) in south central Louisiana. It is the seat and largest city in Terrebonne Parish, and the center of the Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux Metropolitan Statistical Area. The region in total is home to a little over 200,000. Bayou Terrebonne runs through the town roughly east to west between Main Street and Park Avenue, with the Intracostal Waterway running north to south.

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 4h 18m. Total distance: 218.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 81.7 miles on US 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.32 in tolls one way, starting with Southwest Evangeline Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Houma, 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 171; US 190 / West 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 114.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 127.1 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Houma, 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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