Greenwood to Monroe is 112.8 miles and takes about 2h 7m via I 20, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip, making it an easy option for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on I 20, so expect a predictable journey. Given the short duration and minimal stops, this route is ideal for a quick transition between these two Louisiana locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.4 miles from Greenwood, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
109.3 mi
2h
Greenwood Road
1.2 mi
2m
Louisville Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Mill Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Bridge Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Stella Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Greenwood Springridge Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 109.3 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greenwood, LA and Monroe, LA.
1
Start on LA 169
128 ft·3 sec·Greenwood Springridge Road
2
Turn right onto US 79; US 80
1.2 mi·2 min·Greenwood Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
4
Merge onto I 20
109 mi·2 hr·I 20
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward LA 34
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward LA 34 North
7
Turn straight onto LA 34
0.3 mi·25 sec·Stella Street
8
Continue on LA 34
0.3 mi·30 sec·Mill Street
9
Continue on LA 34
0.3 mi·31 sec·Bridge Street
10
Continue on US 80; LA 15
0.5 mi·1 min·Louisville Avenue
11
Turn right
45 ft·5 sec
12
Turn right
38 ft·2 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over two hours, this route offers plenty of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive well before lunchtime, or head out in the afternoon and still have ample daylight. Since the longest stretch is on I 20 and there are no recommended stops, you can easily complete this trip without needing to pull over. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Monroe, though the estimated cost of $17 suggests it's not a major concern for this distance. Consider leaving slightly earlier on a weekday to avoid potential local traffic as you enter Monroe on Louisville Avenue.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.4 miles from Greenwood, LA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.3 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 25 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.4 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 43m
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 Greenwood, 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 Greenwood, LA
This is one driving day of about 112.8 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Greenwood, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 109.3 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 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 112.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
1.5 mi into trip|~2m in|I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
110.8 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward LA 34
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward LA 34
5
111 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward LA 34 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward LA 34 North
4
112.8 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
4
112.8 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.04 one way
$34.07 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$18.70
$37.40
premium
$4.56
$20.25
$40.49
diesel
$5.61
$24.90
$49.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.8
0
$11.84
$5.41
Efficient EV
28.2
0
$9.87
$4.51
EV Truck/SUV
45.1
0
$15.79
$7.22
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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
Greenwood, LA
Morning
in Greenwood on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Monroe, LA
Morning
in Monroe on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 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
2 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
2h 7m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway experience, with a 97% share on major roads. You'll be on I 20 for the vast majority of the trip, including a continuous stretch of 109.3 miles. Expect a consistent, uninterrupted drive for nearly the entire journey. The primary roads are I 20, Greenwood Road, and Louisville Avenue, indicating a transition from interstate to more local arterial roads as you approach your destination. This profile means minimal deviations and a focus on efficient travel.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.3 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Greenwood Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near I 20.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Greenwood, LA to Monroe, LA is easy. At 2h 7m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 110.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 111 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
The longest stretch is about 109.3 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 110.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 111 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Monroe, LA before heading back.
