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Trip from Estherwood, LA to Monroe, 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 55m

Distance

184 mi

296 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 43m ★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
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Downtown Estherwood, LA, LA

Estherwood, LA

Marcella Soáres

Downtown Monroe, LA, LA

Monroe, LA

Perry Z

Trip Overview

Estherwood, LA to Monroe, LA is 184 miles and takes about 3h 55m via Monroe Highway and I 49, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, connecting two points in Louisiana. Expect a turn-heavy local drive for a significant portion, making it feel more like navigating through communities than a straight shot. Given the relatively short duration and manageable fuel cost, this is a straightforward, same-day trip, ideal for those who prefer a less intense driving experience.

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

92 miles from Estherwood, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Monroe Highway 82.5 mi 1h 36m
Veterans Memorial Highway 31.5 mi 46m
I 49 22.9 mi 23m
Crowley Eunice Highway 15.2 mi 22m
US 165 6.1 mi 7m
US 167 5.5 mi 8m
State Route 13 4.6 mi 6m
I 10 4.1 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Monroe Highway — 82.5 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Estherwood, LA and Monroe, LA.

1

Start on US 90

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Front Avenue
2

Turn right onto LA 91

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Canal Street
3

Continue on LA 91

2.6 mi · 4 min · Estherwood Highway
4

Turn right

467 ft · 9 sec
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
6

Merge onto I 10

4.1 mi · 4 min · I 10
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward LA 13: Eunice, Crowley
8

Turn left onto LA 13

0.1 mi · 23 sec · North Parkerson Avenue
9

Continue on LA 13

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Crowley Eunice Highway
10

Continue on LA 13

0.4 mi · 34 sec · State Route 13
11

Turn straight onto LA 13

15 mi · 22 min · Crowley Eunice Highway
12

Continue on LA 13

2.0 mi · 3 min · Aymond Street
13

Turn left onto LA 13

0.1 mi · 13 sec · East Maple Avenue
14

Turn right onto LA 13

1.3 mi · 1 min · South C C Duson Street
15

Continue on LA 13

2.4 mi · 3 min · State Route 13
16

Continue on LA 13

6.4 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Highway
17

Continue on LA 13

1.8 mi · 2 min · State Route 13
18

Continue on LA 13

25 mi · 37 min · Veterans Memorial Highway
19

Continue on US 167

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 167
20

Turn left

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 49 North: Alexandria
21

Merge onto I 49

23 mi · 23 min · I 49
22

Take the exit onto US 167

0.2 mi · 29 sec · US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
23

Keep slight left at fork onto US 167

4.6 mi · 6 min · US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 17 sec
Toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe Use the slight right lane.
25

Keep slight right at fork

337 ft · 8 sec
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
26

Merge onto US 165

83 mi · 1 hr 36 min · Monroe Highway
27

Turn straight onto US 165

6.1 mi · 7 min · US 165
28

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec
29

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
30

Merge onto I 20

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 20
31

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
32

Keep slight right at fork

303 ft · 7 sec
33

Turn straight onto US 165 Business; LA 15

0.5 mi · 45 sec · Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
34

Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15

0.3 mi · 35 sec · North 6th Street
35

Turn left onto US 80; US 165 Business; LA 15

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Louisville Avenue
36

Turn left

45 ft · 5 sec
37

Turn right

38 ft · 2 sec
38

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 184-mile journey, planning your departure time is key to enjoying the 'turn-heavy local drive' without feeling rushed. Aim to leave Estherwood in the morning to take advantage of daylight for the numerous turns. With a duration of under 4 hours, a single stop is likely sufficient, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 82.5 miles on Monroe Highway. Since this is a same-day trip, you have flexibility; however, be prepared for the local road sections which may require more attention than interstate driving.

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 92 miles from Estherwood, LA, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 40 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 92 miles or 2h 6m 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 15m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Estherwood, 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 Estherwood, LA

This is one driving day of about 184 miles and 3h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Estherwood, 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 Monroe Highway for about 82.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

suburb city of Alexandria, located in Rapides Parish, Louisiana

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pineville, LA

92 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

Church Point, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Pineville, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 92 miles from Estherwood, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Monroe Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.5 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.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Warehouse No 1 Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Monroe, Louisiana

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13183221340

Visit website

Restaurant Cotton

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Monroe, Louisiana

0.6 mi

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

West Monroe, Louisiana

2.5 mi

Warehouse No 1 Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13183221340

Visit website

Restaurant Cotton

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour Expensive

Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13183250818

Visit website

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

West Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13183255505

Visit website

The Creek Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Woodworth, Louisiana

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+13184490674

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

West Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

West Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Pineville, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Holiday Inn Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Eunice, Louisiana

Blink Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Pineville, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Eunice Depot Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Eunice, Louisiana

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+13374576540

Visit website

Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Monroe, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13183292400

Visit website

Alexandria Museum of Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13184433458

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 8.3 and 92.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
8.3 mi into trip | ~11m in

Take the exit toward LA 13: Eunice, Crowley

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

Toward LA 13: Eunice, Crowley
5
87.3 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in | US 167

Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street

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

Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pinevill...
6
87.6 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in | US 167

Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expr...
7
92.2 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in

Take the exit toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
6
92.3 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 165 North: Monroe

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 165 North: Monroe

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.79 one way

$55.58 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $30.50 $61.01
premium $4.56 $33.03 $66.05
diesel $5.61 $40.62 $81.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 64.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 55.2 0 $19.32 $8.83
Efficient EV 46 0 $16.10 $7.36
EV Truck/SUV 73.6 0 $25.76 $11.78

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

22 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

Estherwood, LA

Late night in Estherwood on Tuesday

Local time

4:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Monroe, LA

Late night in Monroe on Tuesday

Local time

4:16 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

16 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

3h 55m 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 route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter numerous turns and transitions rather than a continuous highway experience. While 24% of the drive utilizes highways like I-49, the majority involves navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 82.5 miles on Monroe Highway. This suggests a varied driving rhythm, with periods of slower, more engaged navigation interspersed with faster highway segments.

Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.5 mi on Monroe Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 22 significant decision points across 184 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 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.3 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.6 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in Monroe, LA

Full guide →

Monroe is the third-largest city in Northern Louisiana, largest city in Northeast Louisiana, and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish. It is also home to the University of Louisiana at Monroe and their sports team, the ULM Warhawks. Founded as Fort Miro, it took on the name of Monroe after the paddle-wheeler James Monroe that came to town in the early 19th century, and, by extrapolation, the former president James Monroe. An interesting bit of trivia is that Monroe was once the headquarters of Delta Airlines, which got its start as the crop dusting operation Delta Dusters in nearby Tallulah. Slathered down with highly religious views and the effects of years of racial inequality, Monroe can have a rather gritty appearance imbued with a fragrant aroma from its paper mill, but, well, take heart, Wikivoyage traveler.

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 55m. Total distance: 184 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 82.5 miles on Monroe Highway. 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.

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 Monroe, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.3 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.6 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Monroe, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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