Houma to Blanchard is 322.8 miles and takes about 6 hours via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to the same region. Expect a trip mostly on surface roads, offering a different pace than a pure interstate cruise. Given the duration and road type, it's a manageable single-day trip, but be prepared for a longer time behind the wheel than a high-speed highway route would require. Plan for a full day of driving.
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
161.4 miles from Houma, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
197.8 mi
3h 22m
Raceland-M C Express
82.2 mi
1h 29m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10.2 mi
11m
Park Avenue
7.4 mi
14m
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
6 mi
9m
Hilry Huckaby III Avenue
5 mi
7m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.7 mi
3m
Shreveport Blanchard Highway
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 197.8 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houma, LA and Blanchard, LA.
1
Start on School Street
47 ft·7 sec·School Street
2
Turn left onto LA 182
0.2 mi·46 sec·Barrow Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto LA 24
7.4 mi·14 min·Park Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left
358 ft·15 sec
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
6
Merge onto US 90
82 mi·1 hr 29 min·Raceland-M C Express
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·14 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi·24 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi·28 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·15 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1
0.2 mi·13 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
12
Take the exit onto LA 92-1
0.1 mi·21 sec·Young Street
13
Continue on LA 92-1
0.3 mi·38 sec·Young Street
14
Turn right onto St Etienne Road
1.0 mi·3 min·St Etienne Road
15
At end of road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
0.1 mi·22 sec·East Fairfield Drive
16
Turn left onto LA 3073
1.5 mi·2 min·Ambassador Caffery Parkway
17
Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·South Morgan Avenue
18
Turn right onto US 90; LA 182
0.2 mi·13 sec·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
19
Keep slight left at fork
158 ft·7 sec
20
Turn left onto US 90; LA 182
2.5 mi·2 min·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
21
Continue on US 90; LA 182
6.0 mi·9 min·Southeast Evangeline Thruway
22
Continue on I 49; LA 182
8.8 mi·9 min·Veterans Memorial Expressway
23
Continue on I 49; US 167
198 mi·3 hr 22 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
25
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Pete Harris Drive
26
Turn left onto LA 173
1.3 mi·2 min·Ford Street
27
Continue on LA 173
5.0 mi·7 min·Hilry Huckaby III Avenue
28
Continue on LA 173
2.6 mi·3 min·Shreveport Blanchard Highway
29
Continue on LA 173
0.8 mi·1 min·South Main Street
30
Turn left onto West Daugherty Avenue
233 ft·5 sec·West Daugherty Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
West Daugherty Avenue
Trip Plan
Starting early from Houma is recommended to maximize daylight for this 6-hour drive. With the majority of the route on surface roads, it's wise to anticipate a slower pace than a typical highway trip. The longest stretch without a major road change is 197.8 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, so plan a break before or after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially since you'll be passing through more towns and potentially encountering more traffic lights than on an interstate.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.4 miles from Houma, LA, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.8 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 71 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.4 miles or 3h 8m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blanchard, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Houma, 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 Houma, LA
This is one driving day of about 322.8 miles and 6h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Houma, 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 197.8 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 0 and 311.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|LA 182 / Barrow Street
Turn left onto LA 182 / Barrow Street
Navigation decision point
7
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|LA 24 / Park Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto LA 24 / Park Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
91.4 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
96.5 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
311.5 mi into trip|~5h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.81 one way
$89.62 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$50.14
$100.27
premium
$4.29
$54.51
$109.01
diesel
$4.80
$60.95
$121.90
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
(6 mi)$0.42
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.5 mi)$0.17
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.8
1
$33.89
$15.49
Efficient EV
80.7
0
$28.25
$12.91
EV Truck/SUV
129.1
1
$45.19
$20.66
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Houma, LA
Evening
in Houma on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 0 to 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:02AM CDT until July 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Blanchard, LA
Evening
in Blanchard on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:02AM CDT until July 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
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
1 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
6h on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 233.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily surface roads, with only a 4% highway share. You'll spend most of your time on local routes like the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, which accounts for the longest stretch at 197.8 miles. The Veterans Memorial Expressway and Raceland-M C Express are also part of the main roads. Be ready for frequent intersections and varying speed limits as you navigate through communities.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 197.8 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near LA 182 / Barrow Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 322.8 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (LA 182 / Barrow Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (LA 24 / Park Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 91.4 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Houma is a small city (about 33,000 people in 2019, not including suburbs) in south central Louisiana. It is the seat and largest city in Terrebonne Parish, and the center of the Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux Metropolitan Statistical Area. The region in total is home to a little over 200,000.
Bayou Terrebonne runs through the town roughly east to west between Main Street and Park Avenue, with the Intracostal Waterway running north to south.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h. Total distance: 322.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 197.8 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.59 in tolls one way, starting with Southeast Evangeline Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 12 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Blanchard, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (LA 182 / Barrow Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (LA 24 / Park Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 91.4 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Blanchard, LA before the return drive.
