Jeanerette to Shreveport is 242.8 miles and takes about 4h 28m via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you through Louisiana's Southeast region, offering a local feel with a number of turns. It's a straightforward trip, ideal if you're looking for a less-traveled path. Plan for a single-day journey, as the duration is manageable within daylight hours. The route's character suggests a more engaging driving experience than a simple interstate cruise.
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
121.4 miles from Jeanerette, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
197.8 mi
3h 22m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.8 mi
9m
East Old Spanish Trail
6.7 mi
9m
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
6 mi
9m
East Main Street
5.3 mi
8m
Old Spanish Trail Highway South
4.9 mi
7m
Old Spanish Trail
4.1 mi
6m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.5 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 Jeanerette, LA and Shreveport, LA.
1
Start on LA 671
43 ft·5 sec·Canal Street
2
Turn left onto LA 182; LA 671
1.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
3
Continue on LA 182
6.7 mi·9 min·East Old Spanish Trail
4
Continue on LA 182
4.4 mi·7 min·East Main Street
5
Continue on LA 182
4.1 mi·6 min·Old Spanish Trail
6
Turn straight onto LA 182
4.9 mi·7 min·Old Spanish Trail Highway South
7
Continue on LA 182
0.9 mi·1 min·East Main Street
8
Continue on LA 182
0.5 mi·40 sec·Southwest Frontage Road
9
Take the ramp onto LA 182
1.3 mi·1 min·LA 182
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182
2.5 mi·2 min·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
11
Continue on US 90; LA 182
6.0 mi·9 min·Southeast Evangeline Thruway
12
Continue on I 49; LA 182
8.8 mi·9 min·Veterans Memorial Expressway
13
Continue on I 49; US 167
198 mi·3 hr 22 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
15
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Pete Harris Drive
16
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi·2 min·Caddo Street
17
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi·56 sec·Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
18
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft·1 sec·River Parkway
19
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 28m duration and 242.8-mile distance, starting your journey in the morning will give you ample time to reach Shreveport comfortably. With only one recommended stop and a manageable fuel cost of $37, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 197.8-mile stretch on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, as service availability can vary on local roads. Consider downloading offline maps, as some sections may have limited cell service due to the turn-heavy local drive profile.
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 121.4 miles from Jeanerette, LA, or about 2h 20m 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 53 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.4 miles or 2h 20m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shreveport, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jeanerette, 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 Jeanerette, LA
This is one driving day of about 242.8 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Jeanerette, 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 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 242.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0 mi into trip|~0m in|LA 182; LA 671 / Main Street
Turn left onto LA 182; LA 671 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
24.8 mi into trip|~37m in|US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
239.8 mi into trip|~4h 21m 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
4
241.4 mi into trip|~4h 24m in|LA 173 / Caddo Street
Turn right onto LA 173 / Caddo Street
Navigation decision point
3
242.3 mi into trip|~4h 27m in|Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.67 one way
$73.34 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$40.25
$80.51
premium
$4.56
$43.58
$87.16
diesel
$5.61
$53.61
$107.21
Estimated Tolls: $0.60
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
(6 mi)$0.42
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.5 mi)$0.18
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
$37
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.8
0
$25.49
$11.65
Efficient EV
60.7
0
$21.25
$9.71
EV Truck/SUV
97.1
1
$33.99
$15.54
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Jeanerette, LA
Morning
in Jeanerette on Sunday
Local time
10:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Shreveport, LA
Morning
in Shreveport on Sunday
Local time
10:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
85°F
Alexandria, LA
121 mi in
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
3 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
4h 28m 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 best described as a turn-heavy local drive, with about 75% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a mix of speeds and road types, so be prepared for constant adjustments. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 197.8 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, offering a significant period of consistent travel. Expect the road to change character as you progress, moving from more open highway sections to more involved local roads with frequent turns. This dynamic makes for a more engaging drive than a monotonous interstate.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 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?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near LA 182; LA 671 / Main Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 28m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (LA 182; LA 671 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 24.8 miles (US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 239.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Shreveport is the largest city in Northern Louisiana, part of the twin city metro of Shreveport-Bossier City, and is considered the principal city in the three-state region known as the "Ark-La-Tex." It has about 188,000 residents (2019), and is in the area of the state designated as the Sportsman's Paradise. Many lakes and rivers are in the area and offer recreational activities. The surrounding area is also a contrast from points in southern Louisiana, in that the landscape is marked by rolling hills and pine forests, being an extension of the Texas region known as the Piney Woods.
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 $0.60 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.
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: near the start (LA 182; LA 671 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 24.8 miles (US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 239.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Shreveport, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
