Kenner, LA to Leesville, LA is 242.4 miles and takes about 4h 42m via I 10 and State Route 1, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. With a mixed highway and surface road profile, expect a blend of faster travel and more local cruising. This is a straightforward drive, suitable for a single day trip if you're looking for efficient travel between these two points.
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
121.2 miles from Kenner, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
71.3 mi
1h 20m
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
60.1 mi
1h
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
Coliseum Boulevard
48.4 mi
56m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
Jefferson Highway
2.8 mi
4m
Macarthur Drive
2.2 mi
3m
Williams Boulevard
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 71.3 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenner, LA and Leesville, 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
60 mi·1 hr·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward US 71, US 167 South: MacArthur Drive
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 71 North, US 671 North Business: MacArthur Drive
15
Continue on US 71; US 167 BUS
2.8 mi·4 min·Jefferson Highway
16
Enter roundabout onto US 71; US 165
0.3 mi·34 sec·Macarthur Drive
17
Continue on US 71; US 165
1.9 mi·2 min·Macarthur Drive
18
Take the exit
486 ft·13 sec
19
Continue on LA 28
48 mi·56 min·Coliseum Boulevard
20
Enter roundabout onto US 171; LA 8
314 ft·3 sec·North 6th Street
21
Continue on US 171; LA 8
1.2 mi·1 min·North 6th Street
22
Turn left onto LA 8
390 ft·7 sec·Nolan Trace Parkway
23
Continue on East Texas Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·East Texas Street
24
Arrive at destination
East Texas Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 42m drive time, starting in the morning will give you plenty of flexibility. You'll have one stop suggested along the way, which is a good point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $36, and while the longest stretch without services isn't specified, it's always wise to top up before heading into less populated areas. Since this is a one-day trip, you can adjust your schedule on the fly, but be aware that the surface road sections might take longer than anticipated depending on local traffic.
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 121.2 miles from Kenner, LA, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.3 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 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.2 miles or 2h 26m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leesville, 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 242.4 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 71.3 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 0 and 186.7 — 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
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
6
186.7 mi into trip|~3h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 71 North, US 671 North Business: MacArthur Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 71 North, US 671 North Business: MacA...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.73 one way
$75.47 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.60
$83.20
premium
$4.71
$44.96
$89.92
diesel
$6.18
$58.97
$117.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.7
0
$25.45
$11.64
Efficient EV
60.6
0
$21.21
$9.70
EV Truck/SUV
97
1
$33.94
$15.51
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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Kenner, LA
Morning
in Kenner on Monday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Clear
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Leesville, LA
Morning
in Leesville on Monday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
11 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 42m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About half of your 242.4 miles will be on the highway, with the remaining portion on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 71.3 miles on I 10. You'll notice a shift as you transition from the interstate to Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and State Route 1, where the pace will naturally slow down. Expect more frequent intersections and local traffic as you get closer to Leesville.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.3 mi on I 10.
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 16 significant decision points across 242.4 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 69.1 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 42m. Total distance: 242.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.3 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Leesville, 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 9 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 69.1 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Leesville, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
