Jefferson, LA to Shreveport, LA is 322.3 miles and takes about 6h via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and I 10, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. You'll experience a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a practical option for a single-day trip. Plan for around 6 hours of driving time, plus any stops you choose to make along the way.
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
161.2 miles from Jefferson, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
186.3 mi
3h 10m
I 10
76.2 mi
1h 26m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
Causeway Boulevard
1.9 mi
3m
Caddo Street
0.9 mi
2m
Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi
1m
Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 186.3 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson, LA and Shreveport, 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 RougeUse the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
10
Merge onto I 10
72 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi·4 min·North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
17
Merge onto I 49; US 167
186 mi·3 hr 10 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
19
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Pete Harris Drive
20
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi·2 min·Caddo Street
21
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi·56 sec·Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
22
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft·1 sec·River Parkway
23
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour duration, leaving Jefferson, LA in the morning will allow you to reach Shreveport with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your drive. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach the 186.3-mile mark on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, as this is the longest stretch without potential service. The estimated fuel cost is around $47, so budget accordingly. This is a manageable one-day drive, but consider an early start if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.2 miles from Jefferson, LA, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.3 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 71 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.2 miles or 3h 12m 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 58m
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 Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, LA
This is one driving day of about 322.3 miles and 6h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Jefferson, 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 186.3 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 319.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
6
75.8 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
79.7 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward LA 415: Lobdell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
7
80.1 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 415: Lobdell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
6
319.4 mi into trip|~5h 54m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.74 one way
$89.48 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$50.06
$100.12
premium
$4.29
$54.42
$108.85
diesel
$4.80
$60.86
$121.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.7
1
$33.84
$15.47
Efficient EV
80.6
0
$28.20
$12.89
EV Truck/SUV
128.9
1
$45.12
$20.63
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Jefferson, LA
Evening
in Jefferson on Saturday
Local time
7:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:02AM CDT until July 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Shreveport, LA
Evening
in Shreveport on Saturday
Local time
7:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:02AM CDT until July 22 at 1:00AM 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
6h on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 244.5
Discover the roots of jazz at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, our park offers live performances, exhibits, and programs that celebrate the le...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about 39% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway is 186.3 miles. Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between the faster highway sections and the more local roads. You'll notice the change in pace as you exit the main highway and navigate through communities.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.3 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 2.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 322.3 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 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.8 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Jefferson is an unincorporated area in Louisiana's Jefferson Parish along the East Bank the Mississippi River, just upriver from New Orleans. Jefferson has few attractions, but is close to New Orleans, Louisiana's largest city and main visitor attraction.
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.
Top landmarks
•Petroleum Tower — 16-story high-rise office building located at 425 Edwards Street at the corner o...
•Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium — theater and meeting hall in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
•Strand Theatre — theater in Shreveport, Louisiana
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h. Total distance: 322.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.3 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Shreveport, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.8 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Shreveport, LA before the return drive.
