Jennings to New Orleans is 171.9 miles and takes about 3h 17m via I 10, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Louisiana, traversing the Southeast region for its entirety. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's ideal for a single day of travel. Given the relatively short duration and your starting and ending points, this trip is designed for efficiency, getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.
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
86 miles from Jennings, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
164.9 mi
3h 5m
Pontchartrain Expressway
3.5 mi
4m
Evangeline Highway
0.8 mi
1m
North Cutting Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Roberts Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Tulane Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
South Claiborne Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
East Plaquemine Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 164.9 mi, about 3h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jennings, LA and New Orleans, LA.
1
Start on East Plaquemine Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·East Plaquemine Street
2
Turn left onto US 90; LA 102
0.8 mi·1 min·North Cutting Avenue
3
Turn right onto LA 97
0.5 mi·53 sec·Roberts Avenue
4
Continue on LA 97
0.8 mi·1 min·Evangeline Highway
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
6
Merge onto I 10
164 mi·3 hr 5 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
3.5 mi·4 min·Pontchartrain Expressway
Toward New Orleans, Business DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 234BToward Poydras Street, SuperdomeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Turn left onto South Claiborne Avenue
0.3 mi·40 sec·South Claiborne Avenue
11
Turn right onto Tulane Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Tulane Avenue
12
Arrive at destination
Tulane Avenue
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 3 hours, you have the flexibility to leave Jennings at almost any time of day. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and arrive in New Orleans with ample time to settle in. There's only one recommended stop on this route, so plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I 10, as services can sometimes be spread out on interstates.
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 86 miles from Jennings, LA, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.9 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 38 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86 miles or 1h 38m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Orleans, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jennings, 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 Jennings, LA
This is one driving day of about 171.9 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Jennings, 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 10 for about 164.9 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 171.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 90; LA 102 / North Cutting Avenue
Turn left onto US 90; LA 102 / North Cutting Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
167 mi into trip|~3h 10m in|I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway toward New Orleans, Business District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward New Orleans, Business District
6
170.6 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
171.1 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 234B
Toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.96 one way
$51.92 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$28.50
$57.00
premium
$4.56
$30.85
$61.71
diesel
$5.61
$37.95
$75.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.6
0
$18.05
$8.25
Efficient EV
43
0
$15.04
$6.88
EV Truck/SUV
68.8
0
$24.07
$11.00
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Jennings, LA
Afternoon
in Jennings on Sunday
Local time
2:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Orleans, LA
Afternoon
in New Orleans on Sunday
Local time
2:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
1 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 17m 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.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 171.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 98% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 10 and the Pontchartrain Causeway. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch on I 10, spanning 164.9 miles. The character of the drive is consistent, offering a predictable pace ideal for covering ground quickly. While primarily interstate, the final approach into New Orleans might offer slightly more varied scenery as you transition onto the Pontchartrain Expressway and Evangeline Highway.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 164.9 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Pontchartrain Expressway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 90; LA 102 / North Cutting Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 171.9 miles you will encounter 8 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: at 0.1 miles (US 90; LA 102 / North Cutting Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 167 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Way down yonder in New Orleans (French: La Nouvelle-Orléans), you'll find the roots of jazz and a blossoming culture that is unlike anything else on Earth. Here, the laid-back atmosphere of the riverfront South has mixed with French sophistication, Spanish style, and African-American energy to create something greater than the sum of its parts. "NOLA" is the largest city in Louisiana and one of the top tourist destinations in the United States.
"Laissez les bons temps rouler" is what they say here in the Big Easy, and you too can "let the good times roll" with a cool stroll down Bourbon Street, a hot Dixieland band, and even hotter Creole cuisine. Mardi Gras may be the city's calling card, but that's just one day out of the hot and muggy year in New Orleans.
Go ahead, take a riverboat down the Mississippi, munch on some beignets, and watch the Saints go marchin' in.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 171.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 164.9 miles on I 10. 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 0.1 miles (US 90; LA 102 / North Cutting Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 167 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. 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 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at New Orleans, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
