Kenner, LA to DeRidder, LA is 236.8 miles and takes about 4h 29m via I 10 and Highway 171, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. With a recommended one-day drive, you can expect a direct path for most of your travel time.
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
118.4 miles from Kenner, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
189.9 mi
3h 31m
Highway 171
37.5 mi
43m
Martin Luther King Highway
4.5 mi
7m
East 1st Street
1.5 mi
1m
Williams Boulevard
1.3 mi
2m
Mahlon Street
0.9 mi
1m
Shirley Street
0.2 mi
<1m
North Pine Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 189.9 mi, about 3h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenner, LA and DeRidder, 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
122 mi·2 hr 15 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 171: DeRidder, Shreveport
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 171 North: DeRidder, Shreveport
9
Merge onto US 171
4.5 mi·7 min·Martin Luther King Highway
10
Continue on US 171
38 mi·43 min·Highway 171
11
Continue on US 171; US 190
1.5 mi·1 min·East 1st Street
12
Continue on US 171; US 190
0.9 mi·1 min·Mahlon Street
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 171; US 190
0.2 mi·23 sec·Shirley Street
14
Turn left onto US 171
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Pine Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
LA 27
Trip Plan
This drive is easily manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Kenner in the morning will allow you to cover the longest stretch on I 10 before midday. With only one recommended stop, plan for a break around the halfway point or a bit further along the interstate. Keep in mind that the final 4% of your drive will be on surface roads, so adjust your speed accordingly as you approach DeRidder. The estimated fuel cost is around $35, so ensure your tank is full before departing Kenner.
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 118.4 miles from Kenner, LA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 189.9 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 52 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.4 miles or 2h 14m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near DeRidder, 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 236.8 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 I 10 for about 189.9 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 236.7 — 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
191.8 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 171 North: DeRidder, Shreveport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 171 North: DeRidder, Shreveport
7
236.7 mi into trip|~4h 29m in|US 171 / North Pine Street
Turn left onto US 171 / North Pine Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.69 one way
$69.38 round trip
$3.72/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.13
$38.51
$77.03
premium
$4.49
$41.82
$83.64
diesel
$5.60
$52.20
$104.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71
0
$24.86
$11.37
Efficient EV
59.2
0
$20.72
$9.47
EV Truck/SUV
94.7
1
$33.15
$15.16
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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 Aug 30, 2026
Origin
Kenner, LA
Late night
in Kenner on Friday
Local time
3:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Clear
E 5 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Destination
DeRidder, LA
Late night
in DeRidder on Friday
Local time
3:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
75°F
Crowley, LA
118 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
5 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 29m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Nearly all of this drive, 96%, is on highways. You'll encounter a significant 189.9-mile stretch on I 10 before transitioning to other roads. Around the end of that long highway segment, expect a change from high-speed interstate cruising to surface roads like Highway 171. Pay attention to the increased number of exits and potential for more local traffic as you get closer to DeRidder.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 189.9 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Highway 171. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near LA 49 / Williams Boulevard.
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 236.8 miles you will encounter 8 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: 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
202 ft0 ft
Total Climb
239 ft
Total Descent
37 ft
Highest Point
202 ft
~236.8 mi in
Elevation Range
202 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 DeRidder, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Shreveport along the way.
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 4h 29m. Total distance: 236.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 189.9 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 DeRidder, 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: 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at DeRidder, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
