Origin
Jackson, LA
Late night in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jackson, LA to Monroe, LA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 16m
Distance
166.7 mi
268 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 5m
★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 22m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jackson, LA
Patricia Bozan
Monroe, LA
Perry Z
Trip Overview
Jackson to Monroe is 166.7 miles and takes about 3h 16m via US 61 and I-20, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. You'll encounter a mixed drive profile, offering a blend of highway speeds and local road transitions. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this is an easy one-day trip, allowing for a relaxed start or a leisurely pace.
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
83.3 miles from Jackson, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| E. E. Wallace Boulevard North | 63.2 mi | 1h 12m |
| US 61 | 59.3 mi | 1h 10m |
| I 20 | 20.3 mi | 22m |
| Natchez-Vidalia Bridge | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| LA 965 | 7.3 mi | 10m |
| John R Junkin Drive | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Charter Street | 2 mi | 2m |
| Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
— 63.2 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, LA and Monroe, LA.
1
Start on LA 10
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Charter Street
2
Turn left onto LA 965
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
LA 965
3
Turn sharp right onto US 61; LA 10; LA 965
59 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
US 61; LA 10; LA 965
4
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
5
Continue on US 84; US 425
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
John R Junkin Drive
6
Continue on US 84; US 425
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Natchez-Vidalia Bridge
7
Continue on US 425; LA 15
63 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
8
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
9
Merge onto I 20
20 mi
·
22 min
·
I 20
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
11
Keep slight right at fork
303 ft
·
7 sec
12
Turn straight onto US 165 Business; LA 15
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
13
Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North 6th Street
14
Turn left onto US 80; US 165 Business; LA 15
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Louisville Avenue
15
Turn left
45 ft
·
5 sec
16
Turn right
38 ft
·
2 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over three hours, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Aim to leave Jackson in the morning to maximize daylight and take advantage of potentially lighter traffic. Your fuel cost is estimated at $25, so ensure you have enough before you depart, as there's only one recommended stop. The longest stretch without a significant break is over 63 miles, so plan for a quick stretch or restroom break around that point if needed. Given the manageable distance, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits you best.
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 83.3 miles from Jackson, LA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.2 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.3 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 41m
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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, LA
This is one driving day of about 166.7 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Jackson, 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 E. E. Wallace Boulevard North for about 63.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.3 miles from Jackson, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before E. E. Wallace Boulevard North if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.2 miles.
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 105 decision points cluster between mile 9.3 and 166.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
9.3 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
US 61; LA 10; LA 965 / US 61
Turn sharp right onto US 61; LA 10; LA 965 / US 61
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
68.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
165.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
5
165.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
166.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
|
US 80; US 165 Business; LA 15 / Louisville Avenue
Turn left onto US 80; US 165 Business; LA 15 / Louisville Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.18 one way
$50.35 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $27.64 | $55.27 |
| premium | $4.56 | $29.92 | $59.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.81 | $73.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50 | 0 | $17.50 | $8.00 |
| Efficient EV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.59 | $6.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.7 | 0 | $23.34 | $10.67 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Monroe, LA
Late night in Monroe on Sunday
Local time
2:54 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
8 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
3h 16m 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.
Poverty Point National Monument
National Monument
Now a nearly forgotten culture, Poverty Point at its peak 3,000 years ago was part of an enormous trading network that stretched for hundreds of miles across the continent. It was - and is - also an e...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 143.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a mixed drive, with 52% of it on highways. You'll experience a 63.2-mile stretch on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North, which likely offers a more local feel before merging onto faster roadways. The journey transitions between different types of roads, so be prepared for varying speed limits and driving conditions. While much of the drive is on major arteries like US 61 and I-20, there are segments that will feel less like a pure interstate grind and more like a conventional road trip.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.2 mi on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 9.3 miles in near US 61; LA 10; LA 965 / US 61.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 16m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.3 miles (US 61; LA 10; LA 965 / US 61): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 68.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 165.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 166.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (52%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.2 miles on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North. 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.
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 9.3 miles (US 61; LA 10; LA 965 / US 61): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 68.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 165.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Poverty Point National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Monroe, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Monroe, LA
More from Jackson, LA
More trips to Monroe, LA
Explore more options from Jackson, LA or browse trips ending in Monroe, LA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse LA road trips.