This 276.6-mile journey from French Settlement, LA, to Bossier City, LA, is estimated to take about 5 hours and 12 minutes, making it a solid day trip. You'll primarily navigate through Louisiana's Southeast region on a mix of highways and local roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $42, this drive offers an economical way to travel between these two points. While the longest stretch without a major road change is 186.3 miles, plan for a route that involves frequent turns and adjustments. This drive is manageable in a single day, but be prepared for a varied driving experience.
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
138.3 miles from French Settlement, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
186.3 mi
3h 10m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
I 10
14.9 mi
17m
LA 42
8.5 mi
14m
LA 16
5.5 mi
8m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
Airline Highway
3.3 mi
4m
Purple Heart Recipients Highway
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 186.3 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between French Settlement, LA and Bossier City, LA.
1
Start on LA 444
9 ft·4 sec·LA 444
2
Turn right onto LA 16
5.5 mi·8 min·LA 16
3
Turn left onto LA 42
0.3 mi·41 sec·LA 42
4
Enter roundabout onto LA 42
49 ft·1 sec·LA 42
5
Continue on LA 42
8.2 mi·14 min·LA 42
6
Keep slight left at fork
108 ft·3 sec
Toward US 61 North
7
Merge onto US 61; LA 42
3.3 mi·4 min·Airline Highway
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto LA 42
1.5 mi·2 min·Highland Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 10 West: Baton RougeUse the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 10
11 mi·12 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi·4 min·North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
17
Merge onto I 49; US 167
186 mi·3 hr 10 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
20
Merge onto I 20
1.5 mi·2 min·Purple Heart Recipients Highway
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Traffic Street
22
Continue on Barksdale Boulevard
0.2 mi·36 sec·Barksdale Boulevard
23
Turn left onto Monroe Street
78 ft·2 sec·Monroe Street
24
Arrive at destination
Monroe Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour, 12-minute duration and the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, starting your trip early in the morning will give you ample daylight to navigate. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 186.3-mile stretch on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $42 is budget-friendly, but it's always wise to check local gas prices. This route is definitely doable in one day, so focus on enjoying the journey without feeling rushed.
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 138.3 miles from French Settlement, LA, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.3 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 61 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.3 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bossier City, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving French Settlement, 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 French Settlement, LA
This is one driving day of about 276.6 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from French Settlement, 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 Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 186.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.1 and 34.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
14.1 mi into trip|~23m in|US 61; LA 42 / Airline Highway
Merge onto US 61; LA 42 / Airline Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
18.8 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
6
30 mi into trip|~43m in|I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
33.9 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward LA 415: Lobdell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
7
34.3 mi into trip|~48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 415: Lobdell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.77 one way
$83.55 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$45.86
$91.71
premium
$4.56
$49.65
$99.29
diesel
$5.61
$61.07
$122.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
26 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Target - Tesla Supercharger
Bossier City, LA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Hammond Aire Plaza - Tesla Supercharger
Baton Rouge, LA
Tesla
11 DCFC
Circle K - Tesla Supercharger
Baton Rouge, LA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Holiday Inn Alexandria Downtown - Tesla Supercharger
Alexandria, LA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Shop-A-Lott - Tesla Supercharger
Natchitoches, LA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Mall St. Vincent - Tesla Supercharger
Shreveport, LA
Tesla
8 DCFC
All Star Hyundai of Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, LA
Blink Network
6 DCFC
Acadian Village Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83
1
$29.04
$13.28
Efficient EV
69.2
0
$24.20
$11.06
EV Truck/SUV
110.6
1
$38.72
$17.70
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 19, 2026
Origin
French Settlement, LA
Morning
in French Settlement on Sunday
Local time
9:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bossier City, LA
Morning
in Bossier City on Sunday
Local time
9:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
81°F
Broussard, LA
138 mi in
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
4 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
5h 12m 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.
Cane River Creole National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Cane River region is home to a unique culture; the Creoles. Generations of the same families of workers, enslaved and tenant, and owners lived on these lands for over 200 years. The park tells the...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 190.7
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' for most of this 5-hour, 12-minute trip. Only 28% of the route is on highways, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on state routes and local roads. The longest continuous segment on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway spans 186.3 miles, offering a substantial stretch of consistent driving before you need to make changes. This profile suggests a route that winds through communities and varied landscapes rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. Be ready to adapt to changing road conditions and frequent navigation adjustments.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.3 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 14.1 miles in near US 61; LA 42 / Airline Highway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 276.6 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: at 14.1 miles (US 61; LA 42 / Airline Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 30 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Bossier City is the second-largest city in Northern Louisiana and the largest city in Bossier Parish. Home to Barksdale Air Force Base, which hosts several Air Force commands, as well as the backup landing site of Air Force One, Bossier City's recent history revolves largely around the U.S. military. In addition, most of the casinos in the Ark-La-Tex (the three-states region where Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas intersect) are within the corporate limits of Bossier City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 12m. Total distance: 276.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.3 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson 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 Bossier City, 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 14.1 miles (US 61; LA 42 / Airline Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 30 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bossier City, LA before the return drive.
