Houma to Haughton is 329 miles and takes about 6 hours and 4 minutes via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Louisiana, connecting the Southeast region from Houma to the same region near Haughton. Expect a trip primarily on surface roads, offering a more local feel rather than interstate cruising. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is a solid option for a single-day adventure.
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
164.5 miles from Houma, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 11m 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
Purple Heart Recipients Highway
14.8 mi
17m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10.2 mi
11m
Park Avenue
7.4 mi
14m
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
6 mi
9m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.7 mi
3m
South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
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 Haughton, 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 right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
26
Merge onto I 20
15 mi·17 min·Purple Heart Recipients Highway
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
28
Keep slight right at fork
384 ft·9 sec
29
Turn straight onto LA 157
303 ft·7 sec·Highway 157
30
Continue on LA 157
0.8 mi·1 min·North Elm Street
31
Turn left onto LA 614
0.7 mi·1 min·West McKinley Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
LA 614
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour drive time, leaving Houma in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Haughton with plenty of daylight. Plan for that single recommended stop to break up the 197.8-mile stretch on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The fuel cost is estimated at $52, so ensure your tank is full before you depart, as you'll be on surface roads for most of the trip. This route is well-suited for a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider an overnight stay midway.
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 164.5 miles from Houma, LA, or about 3h 11m 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 72 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.5 miles or 3h 11m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Haughton, 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 329 miles and 6h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 23
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 right at fork toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.67 one way
$91.34 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$51.10
$102.20
premium
$4.29
$55.55
$111.11
diesel
$4.80
$62.12
$124.24
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
$46
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.7
1
$34.55
$15.79
Efficient EV
82.3
0
$28.79
$13.16
EV Truck/SUV
131.6
1
$46.06
$21.06
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 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 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 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 21 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Haughton, LA
Evening
in Haughton on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 21 at 4:00AM 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
2 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 4m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 238.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, as the highway share is only 4%. The longest stretch on a single road, Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, is 197.8 miles. This means you'll likely encounter more local traffic and frequent changes in speed limits as you pass through communities. Keep an eye out for a dense pattern of intersections and driveways.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 23 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 Effort6/10
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 329 miles you will encounter 23 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
241 ft4 ft
Total Climb
237 ft
Total Descent
4 ft
Highest Point
241 ft
~329 mi in
Elevation Range
237 ft
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 Houma, LA to Haughton, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Monroe along the way.
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 4m. Total distance: 329 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 4m 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 14 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 Haughton, 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 14 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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Haughton, LA before the return drive.
