Traveling from Kaplan to Metairie covers 153.3 miles, making for a straightforward trek across Southeast Louisiana. You can expect the journey to take approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes, which is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $23, it is an affordable route that doesn't require an overnight stay. Since both cities are located within the same region, you will experience a consistent cultural landscape throughout the drive. This highway-focused path is ideal if you are looking to get from point A to point B efficiently without unnecessary detours.
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
76.6 miles from Kaplan, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 90
105 mi
1h 58m
Veterans Memorial Drive
13.1 mi
19m
I 310
11.1 mi
12m
LA 14
8.6 mi
13m
I 10
7.5 mi
9m
West Summers Drive
1.5 mi
2m
Charity Street
1.5 mi
2m
Veteran Memorial Drive
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 90
— 105 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kaplan, LA and Metairie, LA.
1
Start on LA 14
0.9 mi·1 min·East 1st Street
2
Continue on LA 14
7.0 mi·10 min·Veterans Memorial Drive
3
Continue on LA 14
1.5 mi·2 min·West Summers Drive
4
Continue on LA 14
2.0 mi·3 min·Veterans Memorial Drive
5
Continue on LA 14
1.5 mi·2 min·Charity Street
6
Continue on LA 14
2.4 mi·3 min·Veterans Memorial Drive
7
Continue on LA 14
0.5 mi·47 sec·East Conrad Street
8
Continue on LA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·Veterans Memorial Drive
9
Continue on LA 14
0.9 mi·1 min·Veteran Memorial Drive
10
Turn straight onto LA 14
0.7 mi·59 sec·Veterans Memorial Drive
11
Continue on LA 14
8.6 mi·13 min·LA 14
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
13
Merge onto US 90
105 mi·1 hr 58 min·US 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 310 North, LA 3127 North: Donaldsonville, New Orleans
15
Continue on I 310
11 mi·12 min·I 310
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 10 East: New Orleans
17
Merge onto I 10
7.5 mi·9 min·I 10
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 228Toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·55 sec
Toward Causeway Boulevard SouthUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto North Causeway Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·North Causeway Boulevard
21
Turn left onto 46th Street
88 ft·5 sec·46th Street
22
Turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
285 ft·17 sec·North Causeway Boulevard
23
Turn left onto 47th Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·47th Street
24
Arrive at destination
Fagot Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this route is manageable in a single stint, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one stop to break up the three-hour duration and keep your focus sharp behind the wheel. Given that your fuel costs will hover around $23, filling up before you leave Kaplan can help you avoid potential price fluctuations on the main highways. Since you are spending most of your time on US 90, keep a close watch on your speed as you transition through different zones. Taking advantage of that single planned stop will ensure you arrive in Metairie refreshed and ready for your destination.
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 76.6 miles from Kaplan, LA, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 34 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.6 miles or 1h 36m 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 32m
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 Kaplan, 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 Kaplan, LA
This is one driving day of about 153.3 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Kaplan, 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 US 90 for about 105 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.4 and 152.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
27.4 mi into trip|~41m in|US 90
Merge onto US 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
132.4 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 310 North, LA 3127 North: Donaldsonville, New Orleans
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 310 North, LA 3127 North: Donaldsonvil...
6
143.7 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1A
Toward I 10 East: New Orleans
8
151.9 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
152.1 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
$23.15 one way
$46.30 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$25.42
$50.83
premium
$4.56
$27.52
$55.03
diesel
$5.61
$33.85
$67.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46
0
$16.10
$7.36
Efficient EV
38.3
0
$13.41
$6.13
EV Truck/SUV
61.3
0
$21.46
$9.81
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 20, 2026
Origin
Kaplan, LA
Morning
in Kaplan on Tuesday
Local time
8:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Metairie, LA
Morning
in Metairie on Tuesday
Local time
8:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°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
3 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
3h 6m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 153.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily reliant on major corridors, with 86% of the mileage consisting of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating US 90, which features a substantial 105-mile uninterrupted stretch that dictates the pace of your journey. As you transition onto I-310 and Veterans Memorial Drive, the character of the road shifts from open highway to the more structured infrastructure approaching the Metairie area. Expect a steady, focused drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic bypasses. It is a functional route designed for those who prefer consistent speeds and predictable road conditions.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105 mi on US 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 90 and Veterans Memorial Drive. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 27.4 miles in near US 90.
Driving Effort6/10
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 153.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 27.4 miles (US 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
18 ft1 ft
Total Climb
20 ft
Total Descent
33 ft
Highest Point
18 ft
~32.8 mi in
Elevation Range
17 ft
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 Kaplan, LA to Metairie, LA, road signs begin pointing toward New Orleans along the way.
New Orleans
132.4 mi in|~2h 39m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 153.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105 miles on US 90. 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 27.4 miles (US 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Metairie, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
