If you are planning to travel from Jonesboro to New Orleans, expect a journey covering 275.1 miles. This trip typically takes about 4 hours and 28 minutes, making it a manageable drive for a single day. You will primarily navigate via Chatham Highway, South Hudson Avenue, and Winnfield Highway as you move through Southeast Louisiana. With an estimated fuel cost of $37, it is an affordable excursion for those looking to reach the coast. Since both locations are situated within the same region, you will experience a consistent local atmosphere throughout the transit. It is a straightforward trip that fits well into a one-day itinerary without the need for an overnight stay.
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
137.2 miles from Jonesboro, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
79.1 mi
1h 30m
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
Pontchartrain Expressway
3.5 mi
4m
South Hudson Avenue
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 79.1 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jonesboro, LA and New Orleans, 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
79 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 234BToward Poydras Street, SuperdomeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Turn left onto South Claiborne Avenue
0.3 mi·40 sec·South Claiborne Avenue
19
Turn right onto Tulane Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Tulane Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Tulane Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 28 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal preference. While the route is short enough to handle in one go, you should account for at least one planned stop to stretch your legs and break up the technical driving. Since you are relying on local roads rather than major highways, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, even with the $37 budget in mind. A smart way to manage this trip is to prioritize rest stops early, as the constant turning can be more fatiguing than highway cruising. Staying mindful of your speed on these local stretches will ensure a safer and more comfortable arrival in New Orleans.
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 137.2 miles from Jonesboro, LA, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.1 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 60 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.2 miles or 2h 37m 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 25m
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 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 274.3 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 79.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 71.7 and 273.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
269.4 mi into trip|~5h 16m 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
273 mi into trip|~5h 21m 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
273.5 mi into trip|~5h 21m 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
$41.43 one way
$82.85 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$45.48
$90.95
premium
$4.56
$49.23
$98.47
diesel
$5.61
$60.56
$121.12
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: 96 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.3
1
$28.80
$13.17
Efficient EV
68.6
0
$24.00
$10.97
EV Truck/SUV
109.7
1
$38.40
$17.56
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Jonesboro, LA
Night
in Jonesboro on Saturday
Local time
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Orleans, LA
Night
in New Orleans on Saturday
Local time
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Broussard, LA
137 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
12 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
5h 23m 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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 274.3
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 37.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will spend your time on smaller, winding roads rather than high-speed thoroughfares. Because the longest stretch on Chatham Highway is 0 miles, you should anticipate frequent adjustments in your driving pace. The road's personality is defined by its technical nature, requiring you to stay alert through every turn. Expect a hands-on driving experience that contrasts sharply with the typical straight-line travel found on major national interstates.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.1 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 71.7 miles in near US 167.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 274.3 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 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; at 269.4 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 New Orleans, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Opelousas along the way.
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 5h 23m. Total distance: 274.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.1 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 New Orleans, 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 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; at 269.4 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 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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at New Orleans, LA before the return drive.
