Houma, LA to Richwood, LA is 281 miles and takes about 5h 25m via Monroe Highway, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region of Louisiana, offering a consistent feel throughout. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll primarily navigate surface roads, making it a straightforward option for a direct transit between these two points. The estimated fuel cost is modest, so consider this for budget-friendly travel.
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
140.5 miles from Houma, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Monroe Highway
82.5 mi
1h 36m
Raceland-M C Express
82.2 mi
1h 29m
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
76.1 mi
1h 17m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10.2 mi
11m
Park Avenue
7.4 mi
14m
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
6 mi
9m
US 167
4.8 mi
7m
US 165
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Monroe Highway
— 82.5 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houma, LA and Richwood, 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
76 mi·1 hr 17 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
24
Take the exit onto US 167
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
4.6 mi·6 min·US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward US 165: Alexandria, MonroeUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
337 ft·8 sec
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
28
Merge onto US 165
83 mi·1 hr 36 min·Monroe Highway
29
Turn straight onto US 165
3.2 mi·3 min·US 165
30
Continue on US 165
0.3 mi·31 sec·US 165
31
Arrive at destination
US 165
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Houma in the morning to allow ample time for the 5h 25m drive, especially since it's primarily surface roads. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short overall duration, you have flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly as you move onto the longer stretches of Monroe Highway. The fuel cost is estimated at $45, so plan accordingly. Given the route's profile, be prepared for varying traffic conditions and speed limits common to local routes.
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 140.5 miles from Houma, LA, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 62 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.5 miles or 2h 46m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richwood, 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 281 miles and 5h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 Monroe Highway for about 82.5 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 194.8 — 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.
6
190.1 mi into trip|~3h 37m in|US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expr...
7
194.7 mi into trip|~3h 44m in
Take the exit toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
6
194.8 mi into trip|~3h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 165 North: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.19 one way
$86.38 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$47.77
$95.54
premium
$4.65
$51.41
$102.82
diesel
$5.35
$59.19
$118.37
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
$43
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.3
1
$29.51
$13.49
Efficient EV
70.3
0
$24.59
$11.24
EV Truck/SUV
112.4
1
$39.34
$17.98
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Houma, LA
Afternoon
in Houma on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 0 to 5 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 8:05PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 8:03PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Richwood, LA
Afternoon
in Richwood on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 8:05PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 8:03PM 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
5h 25m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only about 7% of the drive on highways. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on Monroe Highway, covering 82.5 miles. Expect a significant amount of time on local roads, which means you'll likely notice more frequent intersections and varied speed limits compared to a pure interstate experience. The transition from highway to surface roads will be a key characteristic of this drive.
Only 7% 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: 82.5 mi on Monroe Highway.
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 early in the drive near LA 182 / Barrow 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 22 significant decision points across 281 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: near the start (LA 182 / Barrow Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (LA 24 / Park Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 190.1 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
178 ft6 ft
Total Climb
293 ft
Total Descent
227 ft
Highest Point
178 ft
~240.8 mi in
Elevation Range
171 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 Richwood, 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 5h 25m. Total distance: 281 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.5 miles on Monroe 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 9 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 Richwood, 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 9 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 190.1 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Richwood, LA before the return drive.
