Traveling from Kaplan to Shreveport covers 241.6 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 23 minutes behind the wheel. This journey is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $37 on fuel for the trek, so budget accordingly before you head out. The route primarily utilizes Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, Park Avenue, and the Veterans Memorial Expressway to navigate across Louisiana. Since both the starting point and the destination are located within the Southeast region, you will remain in familiar territory throughout the drive. It is a straightforward trek that works well for those looking to connect these two points efficiently.
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
120.8 miles from Kaplan, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
197.8 mi
3h 22m
Park Avenue
9.5 mi
11m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.5 mi
9m
Veterans Memorial Drive
7 mi
10m
Johnston Street
5.2 mi
6m
Ambassador Caffery Parkway
5 mi
8m
West Summers Drive
1.1 mi
1m
Caddo Street
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 197.8 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kaplan, LA and Shreveport, 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
1.1 mi·1 min·West Summers Drive
4
Turn left onto US 167
9.5 mi·11 min·Park Avenue
5
Continue on US 167
5.2 mi·6 min·Johnston Street
6
Turn left onto Ambassador Caffery Parkway
5.0 mi·8 min·Ambassador Caffery Parkway
7
Take the ramp
3.3 mi·3 min
8
Take the exit onto US 167
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 167
Toward I 49 North: Opelousas
9
Merge onto I 49; LA 182
8.5 mi·9 min·Veterans Memorial Expressway
10
Continue on I 49; US 167
198 mi·3 hr 22 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
12
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Pete Harris Drive
13
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi·2 min·Caddo Street
14
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi·56 sec·Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
15
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft·1 sec·River Parkway
16
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
Planning for this 241.6-mile trip is simple because the duration fits comfortably into a single day of travel. Since the route involves significant local driving, try to leave early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the more technical portions of the road. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $37 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local pricing at the pump. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prioritize your focus during the 197.8-mile stretch on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, as maintaining steady momentum there will make the rest of the navigation much easier.
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 120.8 miles from Kaplan, LA, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.8 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 53 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.8 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 35m
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 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 241.6 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 197.8 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.9 and 240.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
8.9 mi into trip|~13m in|US 167 / Park Avenue
Turn left onto US 167 / Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
23.7 mi into trip|~31m in|Ambassador Caffery Parkway
Turn left onto Ambassador Caffery Parkway
Navigation decision point
4
32 mi into trip|~44m in|US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward I 49 North: Opelousas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 49 North: Opelousas
6
238.6 mi into trip|~4h 16m 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
4
240.2 mi into trip|~4h 19m in|LA 173 / Caddo Street
Turn right onto LA 173 / Caddo Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.49 one way
$72.97 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$40.05
$80.11
premium
$4.56
$43.36
$86.73
diesel
$5.61
$53.34
$106.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.5
0
$25.37
$11.60
Efficient EV
60.4
0
$21.14
$9.66
EV Truck/SUV
96.6
1
$33.82
$15.46
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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
Kaplan, LA
Afternoon
in Kaplan on Sunday
Local time
12:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Shreveport, LA
Afternoon
in Shreveport on Sunday
Local time
12:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
85°F
Alexandria, LA
121 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
22 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
4h 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.
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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 158.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 6% of the route comprised of major highways, you will spend most of your time navigating local roads that offer a more grounded feel. The longest uninterrupted segment is a 197.8-mile stretch along the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Because the path relies heavily on local lanes, the drive maintains a consistent, technical pace. You will find that the road character changes significantly as you transition from the local turn-heavy sections onto the more structured expressway segments.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 197.8 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 8.9 miles in near US 167 / Park Avenue.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 23m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.9 miles (US 167 / Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 23.7 miles (Ambassador Caffery Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 32 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 197.8 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. 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 8.9 miles (US 167 / Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 23.7 miles (Ambassador Caffery Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 32 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Shreveport, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
