Stretching 223.8 miles across Southeast Louisiana, your journey from Franklinton to Monroe is a straightforward trek that takes approximately 3 hours and 48 minutes of drive time. Because this route is designed as a single-day trip, you can easily complete it in one go without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $34 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency and current gas prices. Navigating through the local landscape requires your full attention, as the path relies entirely on local roads rather than high-speed interstates. It is a practical trek for those looking to traverse the interior of the state while avoiding major freeway congestion.
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
104.8 miles from Franklinton, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
63.2 mi
1h 12m
US 98
48.4 mi
56m
US 84
47.3 mi
55m
I 20
20.3 mi
22m
MS 27
9 mi
13m
State Route 25
8.6 mi
12m
Bene Street
2.5 mi
3m
Beulah Avenue
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
— 63.2 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklinton, LA and Monroe, LA.
1
Start on Greenlaw Street
86 ft·4 sec·Greenlaw Street
2
Turn right onto 10th Avenue
510 ft·27 sec·10th Avenue
3
Turn left onto Dobson Street
495 ft·23 sec·Dobson Street
4
Turn right onto LA 25
0.5 mi·50 sec·Main Street
5
Turn left onto LA 25
2.5 mi·3 min·Bene Street
6
Turn straight onto LA 25
8.6 mi·12 min·State Route 25
7
Continue on MS 27
9.0 mi·13 min·MS 27
8
Turn left onto MS 48; MS 198
2.3 mi·3 min·Beulah Avenue
9
At end of road, turn left onto US 98
18 mi·22 min·US 98
10
Turn sharp right onto US 51
1.4 mi·2 min·South Broadway Street
11
Turn left onto US 51
0.3 mi·31 sec·West Georgia Avenue
12
Continue on US 51
0.4 mi·35 sec·Jackson Avenue
13
Continue on US 51
0.3 mi·29 sec·Mississippi Street
14
Continue on US 51
0.4 mi·36 sec·Northwest Street
15
Turn left onto MS 570
0.5 mi·1 min·Smithdale Road
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
17
Merge onto I 55; US 98
1.8 mi·1 min·I 55; US 98
18
Take the exit onto US 98
29 mi·33 min·US 98
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 98; MS 184
0.8 mi·53 sec·US 98; MS 184
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
21
Merge onto US 84
28 mi·32 min·US 84
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
6.0 mi·7 min·US 84
23
Take the exit onto US 84
13 mi·15 min·US 84
24
Continue on US 425; LA 15
63 mi·1 hr 12 min·E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
25
Turn left
0.3 mi·35 sec
26
Merge onto I 20
20 mi·22 min·I 20
27
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
28
Keep slight right at fork
303 ft·7 sec
29
Turn straight onto US 165 Business; LA 15
0.5 mi·45 sec·Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
30
Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15
0.3 mi·35 sec·North 6th Street
31
Turn left onto US 80; US 165 Business; LA 15
0.1 mi·17 sec·Louisville Avenue
32
Turn left
45 ft·5 sec
33
Turn right
38 ft·2 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 48-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time to suit your schedule. With only one recommended stop, you should identify a convenient point to stretch your legs roughly halfway through the 223.8-mile trip to maintain your focus. Because the route relies on local roads like 10th Avenue and Main Street, keep a close eye on your navigation system, as turns can come up quickly in denser sections. Since you are not utilizing interstates, be mindful that local traffic patterns can impact your total travel time. Fill up your tank before heading out to ensure your $34 fuel budget remains on track throughout the journey.
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 104.8 miles from Franklinton, LA, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.2 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 46 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.8 miles or 2h 12m 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 30m
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 Franklinton, 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 Franklinton, LA
This is one driving day of about 209.6 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Franklinton, 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 E. E. Wallace Boulevard North for about 63.2 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 208.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|10th Avenue
Turn right onto 10th Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Dobson Street
Turn left onto Dobson Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|LA 25 / Main Street
Turn right onto LA 25 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
208.4 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
5
208.6 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.65 one way
$63.31 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$34.75
$69.50
premium
$4.56
$37.62
$75.24
diesel
$5.61
$46.28
$92.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.9
0
$22.01
$10.06
Efficient EV
52.4
0
$18.34
$8.38
EV Truck/SUV
83.8
1
$29.34
$13.41
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
25 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 15, 2026
Origin
Franklinton, LA
Morning
in Franklinton on Sunday
Local time
11:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Monroe, LA
Morning
in Monroe on Sunday
Local time
11:10 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
30 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
4h 13m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Poverty Point National Monument
National Monument
Now a nearly forgotten culture, Poverty Point at its peak 3,000 years ago was part of an enormous trading network that stretched for hundreds of miles across the continent. It was - and is - also an e...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 187.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel from start to finish. Since the highway share is 0%, you won't be dealing with the monotony of interstate travel; instead, you will spend the entire 223.8 miles navigating through local corridors. Your path is defined by a sequence of segments including 10th Avenue, Dobson Street, and Main Street. This technical, winding nature means you should anticipate a slower, more deliberate pace compared to typical highway driving. Be prepared for constant adjustments and frequent turns as you transition between these local thoroughfares.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.2 mi on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North and US 98. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 10th Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
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 209.6 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 (10th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Dobson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (LA 25 / Main Street): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 209.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.2 miles on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North. 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: near the start (10th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Dobson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (LA 25 / Main Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Poverty Point National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Monroe, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
