This 261.2-mile drive from Gray, LA, to Monroe, LA, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 14 minutes. You'll be navigating a mix of local roads and interstate, with about 29% of your journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $39, and with one recommended stop, it's a manageable trip for a day. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so you won't be crossing any major geographical divides on this particular route. This drive offers a straightforward way to get from point A to point B within Louisiana.
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
130.6 miles from Gray, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Samuels Road
75.7 mi
1h 28m
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
63.2 mi
1h 12m
I 10
31.5 mi
34m
I 20
20.3 mi
22m
Natchez-Vidalia Bridge
10.6 mi
12m
West Airline Highway
8.9 mi
10m
Louisiana 20
8.1 mi
11m
LA 3213
6.8 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Samuels Road
— 75.7 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gray, LA and Monroe, LA.
1
Start on LA 316
27 ft·3 sec·Bayou Blue Road
2
Turn right onto LA 24
6.0 mi·8 min·West Park Avenue
3
Continue on LA 20
0.8 mi·1 min·Canal Boulevard
4
Enter roundabout onto LA 20
182 ft·4 sec·Jackson Street
5
Continue on LA 20
0.7 mi·1 min·Jackson Street
6
Continue on LA 20
397 ft·8 sec·Saint Patrick Bridge
7
Turn straight onto Saint Patrick Street
2.6 mi·3 min·Saint Patrick Street
8
Turn left
195 ft·7 sec
9
Turn straight onto LA 20
417 ft·6 sec·North Canal Boulevard
10
Continue on LA 20
8.1 mi·11 min·Louisiana 20
11
Keep slight left at fork onto LA 20
6.2 mi·9 min·LA 20
12
Turn right onto LA 3127
2.3 mi·3 min·LA 3127
13
Turn left onto LA 3213
6.8 mi·9 min·LA 3213
14
Turn left onto US 61
8.9 mi·10 min·West Airline Highway
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·58 sec
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
16
Merge onto I 10
31 mi·34 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 110
6.2 mi·8 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Toward I 110 North: Downtown, Metro AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 110
2.6 mi·3 min·Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 8CToward US 61 North: NatchezUse the slight right lane.
20
Continue on US 61
3.8 mi·5 min·Scenic Highway
21
Continue on US 61
76 mi·1 hr 28 min·Samuels Road
22
Turn left
0.1 mi·17 sec
23
Continue on US 84; US 425
2.4 mi·2 min·John R Junkin Drive
24
Continue on US 84; US 425
11 mi·12 min·Natchez-Vidalia Bridge
25
Continue on US 425; LA 15
63 mi·1 hr 12 min·E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
26
Turn left
0.3 mi·35 sec
27
Merge onto I 20
20 mi·22 min·I 20
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
29
Keep slight right at fork
303 ft·7 sec
30
Turn straight onto US 165 Business; LA 15
0.5 mi·45 sec·Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
31
Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15
0.3 mi·35 sec·North 6th Street
32
Turn left onto US 80; US 165 Business; LA 15
0.1 mi·17 sec·Louisville Avenue
33
Turn left
45 ft·5 sec
34
Turn right
38 ft·2 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 14-minute duration, starting early is your best bet to complete this 261.2-mile journey comfortably within a single day. Plan for your one recommended stop to break up the drive, perhaps midway through the 75.7-mile stretch on Samuels Road. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before heading into longer local road sections, as stations can be more spread out than on the interstate. The estimated fuel cost is $39, so factor that into your budget. This route's turn-heavy nature means staying alert and focused on navigation will be key to a smooth trip.
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 130.6 miles from Gray, LA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.7 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 57 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.6 miles or 2h 43m 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 20m
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 Gray, 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 Gray, LA
This is one driving day of about 261.2 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Gray, 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 Samuels Road for about 75.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.7 and 260.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.7 mi into trip|~10m in|LA 20 / Jackson Street
Enter roundabout onto LA 20 / Jackson Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
43.1 mi into trip|~59m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
74.6 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway toward I 110 North: Downtown, Metro Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 110 North: Downtown, Metro Airport
8
83.4 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 61 North: Natchez
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8C
Toward US 61 North: Natchez
5
260.1 mi into trip|~5h 12m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.45 one way
$78.89 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$43.30
$86.61
premium
$4.56
$46.88
$93.76
diesel
$5.61
$57.67
$115.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.4
0
$27.43
$12.54
Efficient EV
65.3
0
$22.85
$10.45
EV Truck/SUV
104.5
1
$36.57
$16.72
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 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 19, 2026
Origin
Gray, LA
Morning
in Gray on Tuesday
Local time
9:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Monroe, LA
Morning
in Monroe on Tuesday
Local time
9:13 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
21 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
5h 14m 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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 243.2
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 a significant portion of this trip. While 29% of the route utilizes highways, much of your travel will be on local roads like Samuels Road and E. E. Wallace Boulevard North. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 75.7 miles on Samuels Road, which can feel substantial given the overall 'turn-heavy' profile. This means you'll be actively steering and navigating through varied local environments rather than settling into a monotonous interstate cruise.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.7 mi on Samuels Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 6.7 miles in near LA 20 / Jackson Street.
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 17 significant decision points across 261.2 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 6.7 miles (LA 20 / Jackson Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 43.1 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.6 miles (I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Gray, LA to Monroe, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 14m. Total distance: 261.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.7 miles on Samuels Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas 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 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. There are 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.7 miles (LA 20 / Jackson Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 43.1 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.6 miles (I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Poverty Point National Monument. 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 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Monroe, LA before the return drive.
