Origin
Iowa, LA
Morning in Iowa on Tuesday
Local time
7:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Iowa, LA to Bossier City, LA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
196.5 mi
316 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 42m
★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 5m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Iowa, LA
Gera Cejas
Bossier City, LA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
Iowa, LA to Bossier City, LA is 196.5 miles and takes about 3h 55m via I 49 and Highway 171, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. It's a straightforward, single-day journey that doesn't require an overnight stay. Expect a mixed driving experience that balances highway speeds with some local road travel. Given its manageable duration and cost, this route is a practical option for a quick connection between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
98.3 miles from Iowa, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 49 | 56.9 mi | 59m |
| Highway 171 | 37.5 mi | 43m |
| Hammond Street | 20.9 mi | 24m |
| Natchitoches Highway | 14.1 mi | 16m |
| Lake Charles Highway | 12.9 mi | 17m |
| Shreveport Highway | 11.1 mi | 13m |
| LA 485 | 10.4 mi | 14m |
| I 10 | 9.5 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 56.9 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa, LA and Bossier City, LA.
1
Start on West 1st Street
46 ft
·
7 sec
·
West 1st Street
2
Turn left onto LA 383
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Thomson Avenue
3
Continue on LA 383
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
State Route 383
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
5
Merge onto I 10
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 10
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward US 171: DeRidder, Shreveport
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward US 171 North: DeRidder, Shreveport
8
Merge onto US 171
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Martin Luther King Highway
9
Continue on US 171
38 mi
·
43 min
·
Highway 171
10
Continue on US 171; US 190
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 1st Street
11
Continue on US 171; US 190
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Mahlon Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 171; US 190
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Shirley Street
13
Turn right onto US 171
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North Pine Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 171
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Johnny B Hall Memorial Highway
15
Continue on US 171
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Lake Charles Highway
16
Continue on US 171
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
South 5th Street
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 171; LA 8
412 ft
·
5 sec
·
North 5th Street
18
Enter roundabout onto US 171
182 ft
·
2 sec
·
Shreveport Highway
19
Continue on US 171
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Shreveport Highway
20
Continue on US 171
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Hammond Street
21
Continue on Fisher Road
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Fisher Road
22
Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Luther King Drive
23
Turn right onto LA 6
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
San Antonio Avenue
24
Continue on LA 6
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Natchitoches Highway
25
Turn left onto LA 485
10 mi
·
14 min
·
LA 485
26
Continue on LA 485
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
State Route 485
27
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
28
Merge onto I 49
57 mi
·
59 min
·
I 49
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
31
Merge onto I 20
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Purple Heart Recipients Highway
32
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Traffic Street
33
Continue on Barksdale Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Barksdale Boulevard
34
Turn left onto Monroe Street
78 ft
·
2 sec
·
Monroe Street
35
Arrive at destination
Monroe Street
Trip Plan
With a driving time under 4 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aiming to leave in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the 196.5-mile journey comfortably. Plan for one stop along the way to stretch your legs or refuel, especially given the longest stretch on I 49 is nearly 57 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $30, and it's always wise to have a buffer. The mixed nature of the drive means you might encounter varying traffic conditions, so adjust your pace accordingly.
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 98.3 miles from Iowa, LA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.9 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 43 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.3 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bossier City, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Iowa, 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 Iowa, LA
This is one driving day of about 196.5 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Iowa, 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 I 49 for about 56.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 98.3 miles from Iowa, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 193.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
10.7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward US 171: DeRidder, Shreveport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 171: DeRidder, Shreveport
7
10.9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 171 North: DeRidder, Shreveport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 171 North: DeRidder, Shreveport
6
77.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
|
US 171 / Shreveport Highway
Enter roundabout onto US 171 / Shreveport Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
193.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m 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
$29.68 one way
$59.35 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $32.58 | $65.15 |
| premium | $4.56 | $35.27 | $70.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.38 | $86.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.63 | $9.43 |
| Efficient EV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.19 | $7.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.6 | 0 | $27.51 | $12.58 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
Bossier City, LA
Morning in Bossier City on Tuesday
Local time
7:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 55m 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.
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 137.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a 58% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster-paced roads like I 49. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 56.9 miles on I 49, offering a period of consistent travel. You'll also navigate Highway 171 and Hammond Street, which will likely introduce more varied speeds and local traffic. The profile is described as a 'mixed drive,' so be prepared for transitions between quicker highway segments and potentially slower, more town-oriented sections as you approach your destination.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.9 mi on I 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 196.5 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 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
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 Iowa, LA to Bossier City, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Shreveport along the way.
Shreveport
10.7 mi in
|
~12m
About the Cities
Starting in Iowa, LA
Full guide →Iowa, a state with gently rolling green hills in the Midwest region of the United States, was admitted to the Union in 1846 as the 29th state. The people are very friendly, enjoy good food, and enjoy being in the political hotbed every four years when the Caucuses roll through the state. The state is quite rural, with plenty of fields of corn and soybeans and hog farms, although some cities, namely Des Moines, have a strong metropolitan feel.
Arriving in Bossier City, LA
Full guide →Founded 1907
Bossier City is the second-largest city in Northern Louisiana and the largest city in Bossier Parish. Home to Barksdale Air Force Base, which hosts several Air Force commands, as well as the backup landing site of Air Force One, Bossier City's recent history revolves largely around the U.S. military. In addition, most of the casinos in the Ark-La-Tex (the three-states region where Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas intersect) are within the corporate limits of Bossier City.
Top landmarks
- • Bossier High School — high school in Bossier City, Louisiana, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 196.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.9 miles on I 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Bossier City, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Bossier City, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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