Traveling from Jonesboro to Metairie covers 269.1 miles and typically requires about 4 hours and 25 minutes of time behind the wheel. Because the route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate sprint, it is best planned as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $37 for fuel to complete the journey. Navigating through the Southeast region of Louisiana, you will rely on local roads like Chatham Highway, South Hudson Avenue, and Winnfield Highway to reach your destination. While the drive is manageable for a single day, be prepared for a more involved driving experience compared to standard highway transit.
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
134.3 miles from Jonesboro, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
76.5 mi
1h 27m
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
64.5 mi
1h 5m
US 190
49.5 mi
1h 3m
East Lafayette Street
47.7 mi
58m
Winnfield Highway
21.7 mi
27m
LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi
5m
South Hudson Avenue
2 mi
3m
US 167
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 76.5 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jonesboro, LA and Metairie, LA.
1
Start on Allen Avenue
109 ft·2 sec·Allen Avenue
2
Turn left onto LA 4
0.2 mi·24 sec·Chatham Highway
3
Turn right onto South Hudson Avenue
1.1 mi·1 min·South Hudson Avenue
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 167
1.0 mi·1 min·South Hudson Avenue
5
Continue on US 167
22 mi·27 min·Winnfield Highway
6
Continue on US 84; US 167; LA 34
48 mi·58 min·East Lafayette Street
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
0.8 mi·1 min·US 167
Toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
8
Merge onto I 49; US 167; US 71 BYP
64 mi·1 hr 5 min·Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
10
Keep slight left at fork
362 ft·9 sec
Toward US 190 East: Baton Rouge
11
Merge onto US 190
49 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 190
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi·5 min·LA 415 Spur
13
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Baton Rouge
14
Merge onto I 10
77 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 228Toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·55 sec
Toward Causeway Boulevard SouthUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto North Causeway Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·North Causeway Boulevard
18
Turn left onto 46th Street
88 ft·5 sec·46th Street
19
Turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
285 ft·17 sec·North Causeway Boulevard
20
Turn left onto 47th Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·47th Street
21
Arrive at destination
Fagot Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy local route, plan to depart early in the day to ensure you have plenty of daylight for navigating the winding sections. You should schedule at least one stop to stretch your legs and manage the fatigue that often comes with technical, non-highway driving. Budgeting your $37 for fuel before you leave Jonesboro is a smart move, as local roads can lead you away from major service centers. Because the trip takes over four hours without the benefit of high-speed highway stretches, keep your pace steady and avoid rushing through the tighter turns. Pay close attention to your GPS, as the lack of sustained highway stretches means you will be making frequent adjustments along the way.
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 134.3 miles from Jonesboro, LA, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.5 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 59 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.3 miles or 2h 33m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Metairie, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, LA
This is one driving day of about 268.6 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Jonesboro, 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 76.5 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 267.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in|US 167 / South Hudson Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto US 167 / South Hudson Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
71.7 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
6
137.5 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|US 190
Merge onto US 190
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
267.3 mi into trip|~5h 14m in
Take the exit toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 228
Toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel...
7
267.4 mi into trip|~5h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Causeway Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Causeway Boulevard South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.56 one way
$81.13 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$44.53
$89.06
premium
$4.56
$48.21
$96.42
diesel
$5.61
$59.30
$118.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.6
0
$28.20
$12.89
Efficient EV
67.2
0
$23.50
$10.74
EV Truck/SUV
107.4
1
$37.60
$17.19
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Jonesboro, LA
Night
in Jonesboro on Saturday
Local time
11:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Metairie, LA
Night
in Metairie on Saturday
Local time
11:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Broussard, LA
134 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
4 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
5h 17m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 268.6
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 37.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience as this route consists entirely of local roads with a 0% highway share. You will navigate a series of turns throughout the 269.1-mile journey, meaning there is no long-haul cruise control setting here. With the longest uninterrupted stretch on Chatham Highway measuring 0 miles, the road demands your constant attention and active steering. This technical, turn-heavy profile makes the trip feel much more localized as you transition between the various segments of the journey. It is a departure from the monotonous interstate grind, requiring you to stay alert through every mile of the drive.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.5 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 1.3 miles in near US 167 / South Hudson Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 268.6 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 1.3 miles (US 167 / South Hudson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 71.7 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.5 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Jonesboro, LA to Metairie, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Opelousas along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 17m. Total distance: 268.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.5 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.
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 Metairie, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (US 167 / South Hudson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 71.7 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.5 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Metairie, LA before the return drive.
