Origin
Jefferson, LA
Late night in Jefferson on Tuesday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jefferson, LA to Central, 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
1h 44m
Distance
82.5 mi
133 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jefferson, LA
Perry Z
Central, LA
Jesus Alfonso
Trip Overview
This 82.5-mile journey from Jefferson, Louisiana, to Central, Louisiana, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 1 hour and 44 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-10, with brief stretches on Joor Road and Airline Highway, making it a highway-focused drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this trip is quite budget-friendly. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward path through the Southeast region of Louisiana, it's an easy option for a quick getaway or a direct transfer. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a consistent pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.2 miles from Jefferson, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 64.2 mi | 1h 12m |
| Joor Road | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Airline Highway | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Oak Villa Boulevard | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Causeway Boulevard | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Siegen Lane | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Hooper Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Florida Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 64.2 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson, LA and Central, LA.
1
Start on Madelon Street
175 ft
·
12 sec
·
Madelon Street
2
Turn left onto Lurline Drive
214 ft
·
11 sec
·
Lurline Drive
3
Turn right onto Berwick Street
283 ft
·
14 sec
·
Berwick Street
4
Turn right onto Claiborne Drive
291 ft
·
17 sec
·
Claiborne Drive
5
Turn left onto Andover Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Andover Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto LA 3046
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Causeway Boulevard
7
Take the exit
425 ft
·
12 sec
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: New Orleans, Baton Rouge
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
Use the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
10
Merge onto I 10
64 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 163
Toward LA 3246: Siegen Lane
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto LA 3246
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Siegen Lane
13
Turn left onto US 61; LA 73
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Airline Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Toward US 190 East: Hammond
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto US 190
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Florida Boulevard
16
Turn left onto Oak Villa Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Oak Villa Boulevard
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on Oak Villa Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Oak Villa Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on LA 946
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Joor Road
19
Turn right onto LA 408
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Hooper Road
20
Arrive at destination
LA 408
Trip Plan
For this relatively short, 1-hour-and-44-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding departure time. Leaving Jefferson, LA, at your convenience is feasible, and with only 82.5 miles to cover, you likely won't need to plan for extensive stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I-10 is over 64 miles, and it's wise to fill up before embarking on longer highway segments. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $12, so budget accordingly. A practical tip for this route: be aware of potential traffic on I-10, especially during peak commute hours around Baton Rouge.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.2 miles from Jefferson, LA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.2 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.2 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Central, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jefferson, LA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jefferson, LA
This is one driving day of about 82.5 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Jefferson, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 64.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.2 miles from Jefferson, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.2 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 74.1 — 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
|
Lurline Drive
Turn left onto Lurline Drive
Navigation decision point
7
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
7
67.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward LA 3246: Siegen Lane
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 163
Toward LA 3246: Siegen Lane
6
73.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 190 East: Hammond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 190 East: Hammond
6
74.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
Oak Villa Boulevard
Turn left onto Oak Villa Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.46 one way
$24.92 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $13.68 | $27.35 |
| premium | $4.56 | $14.81 | $29.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.21 | $36.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.66 | $3.96 |
| Efficient EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.22 | $3.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33 | 0 | $11.55 | $5.28 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Central, LA
Late night in Central on Tuesday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
86°F
Shenandoah, LA
41 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
5 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
1h 44m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 82.5-mile trip, with 78% of the drive taking place on interstates and major highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 64.2 miles on I-10, allowing for a steady pace without frequent exits. While the majority is interstate driving, you will transition onto local roads like Joor Road and Airline Highway, offering a slight change in scenery and speed as you approach your destination. This route offers a consistent driving rhythm for the most part.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.2 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Joor Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Lurline Drive.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.5 miles you will encounter 15 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 (Lurline Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Central, LA
Full guide →Central is a region in Louisiana. This area is also known as Cenla or the Crossroads.
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 1h 44m. Total distance: 82.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.2 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Central, LA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lurline Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Central, LA before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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