Kenner, LA to Cullen, LA is 349.6 miles and takes about 6h 55m via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and I 10, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region towards the northern part of the state. You'll experience a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a straightforward drive. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day adventure.
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
174.8 miles from Kenner, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
142.6 mi
2h 23m
I 10
71.3 mi
1h 20m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
US 371
35.4 mi
52m
HWY 371
34.6 mi
49m
South Main Street
4.6 mi
6m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
Ringgold Avenue
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 142.6 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenner, LA and Cullen, LA.
1
Start on 21st Street
38 ft·5 sec·21st Street
2
Turn right onto LA 49
0.1 mi·12 sec·Williams Boulevard
3
Continue on LA 49
1.2 mi·2 min·Williams Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
5
Merge onto I 10
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi·4 min·North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
12
Merge onto I 49; US 167
143 mi·2 hr 23 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
14
Keep slight right at fork
316 ft·7 sec
15
Turn straight onto US 371; LA 177
8.1 mi·12 min·US 371; LA 177
16
Continue on US 84; US 371
0.2 mi·20 sec·HWY 84 EAST
17
Turn left onto US 371
0.8 mi·1 min·Ringgold Avenue
18
Turn left onto US 71; US 371
1.4 mi·2 min·Ringgold Avenue
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 371
35 mi·49 min·HWY 371
20
Continue on US 371
4.6 mi·6 min·South Main Street
21
Continue on Sibley Road
428 ft·12 sec·Sibley Road
22
Continue on Sibley Road
0.2 mi·19 sec·Sibley Road
23
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward West I 20, North US 371: Shreveport
24
Merge onto I 20; US 371
2.2 mi·2 min·I 20; US 371
25
Take the exit onto US 371
27 mi·40 min·US 371
Toward US 371: Cotton Valley, Springhill
26
Turn right onto Henrietta White Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Henrietta White Boulevard
27
Arrive at destination
Henrietta White Boulevard
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour, 55-minute drive, leaving Kenner in the morning allows ample time to reach Cullen before evening. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your schedule. Consider the longest stretch of 142.6 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway; ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on this section. With a fuel cost estimated around $56, it's a manageable expense for the distance. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point, to stay refreshed.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 174.8 miles from Kenner, LA, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.6 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 77 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.8 miles or 3h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cullen, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kenner, 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 Kenner, LA
This is one driving day of about 349.6 miles and 6h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Kenner, 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 142.6 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 73.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|LA 49 / Williams Boulevard
Turn right onto LA 49 / Williams Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
69.1 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
73.1 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward LA 415: Lobdell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
7
73.4 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 415: Lobdell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.53 one way
$97.06 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$54.30
$108.60
premium
$4.29
$59.03
$118.07
diesel
$4.80
$66.01
$132.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.9
1
$36.71
$16.78
Efficient EV
87.4
0
$30.59
$13.98
EV Truck/SUV
139.8
1
$48.94
$22.37
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Kenner, LA
Evening
in Kenner on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 21 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Cullen, LA
Evening
in Cullen on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 21 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
97°F
Alexandria, LA
175 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
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
6h 55m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 229.1
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 55% of this 349.6-mile drive is on highways. You'll encounter your longest stretch without a significant road change at 142.6 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. After this, you transition to surface roads, so be prepared for a change in driving pace. Expect a mixed driving experience with both high-speed sections and potentially more varied conditions as you leave the main highways.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.6 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 early in the drive near LA 49 / Williams Boulevard.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 349.6 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: near the start (LA 49 / Williams Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.1 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
274 ft0 ft
Total Climb
396 ft
Total Descent
147 ft
Highest Point
274 ft
~299.7 mi in
Elevation Range
274 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 Kenner, LA to Cullen, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Springhill along the way.
Springhill
321.9 mi in|~6h 14m|via US 371
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Kenner is a suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana, on the east bank of Jefferson Parish, approximately 10 mi (16 km) west of the city. It is the location of New Orleans International Airport. René-Robert Cavelier landed on this stretch of the north shore of the Mississippi River in 1682.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 55m. Total distance: 349.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 55m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 142.6 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Cullen, 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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (LA 49 / Williams Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.1 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cullen, LA before the return drive.
