Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 44m
Distance
300.4 mi
484 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kenner, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Ringgold, LA
www.kaboompics.com
Kenner, LA to Ringgold, LA is 300.4 miles and takes about 5h 44m via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and I 10, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region up into the northern part of the state. You'll experience a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel as you make your way north. With a single day recommended, this trip is ideal if you're looking for a straightforward drive between these two points without needing an overnight stay.
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
150.2 miles from Kenner, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
| 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 |
| HWY 371 | 20.4 mi | 30m |
| US 371 | 8.1 mi | 12m |
| North Lobdell Highway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Ringgold Avenue | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Williams Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kenner, LA and Ringgold, LA.
Start on 21st Street
Turn right onto LA 49
Continue on LA 49
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto LA 415
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
Take the exit
Merge onto I 49; US 167
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto US 371; LA 177
Continue on US 84; US 371
Turn left onto US 371
Turn left onto US 71; US 371
Keep slight right at fork onto US 371
Turn right onto Mill Street
Arrive at destination
This 300.4-mile drive can comfortably be completed in one day, so leaving Kenner in the morning should give you ample time to reach Ringgold before evening. The estimated fuel cost is $44, so plan accordingly. With a total duration of under six hours, you might only need one quick stop for gas or a break. Pay attention to the transition from highway driving to surface roads around mile 150, as this is where your speed and the surrounding environment will likely change the most. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the longer highway stretch.
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.
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 66 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.2 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ringgold, LA than in the middle of the route.
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 300.4 miles and 5h 44m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
150 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 150.2 miles from Kenner, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 142.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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.
Turn right onto LA 49 / Williams Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward LA 415: Lobdell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 415: Lobdell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$44.01 one way
$88.01 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.13 | $48.86 | $97.71 |
| premium | $4.49 | $53.05 | $106.11 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $66.22 | $132.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.1 | 1 | $31.54 | $14.42 |
| Efficient EV | 75.1 | 0 | $26.29 | $12.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 120.2 | 1 | $42.06 | $19.23 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Kenner on Friday
Local time
6:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 2 at 9:05PM CDT until September 3 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Destination
Morning in Ringgold on Friday
Local time
6:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 2 at 9:05PM CDT until September 3 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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About half of this 300.4-mile trip, roughly 150 miles, will be on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 142.6 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway before transitioning to other road types. The profile is mixed highway and surface, meaning you'll shift from faster-paced driving to more varied speeds on State Route 1. Expect a change in the driving environment as you move from more open highway to potentially more built-up or rural surface road sections.
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.
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 300.4 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 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.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
351 ft
Total Descent
71 ft
Highest Point
280 ft
~300.4 mi in
Elevation Range
280 ft
Founded 1855
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.
Minden, the parish seat of Webster Parish and the fifth-largest city in Northern Louisiana, has a healthy dose of both city and country attributes. Driving through the downtown strip on old brick-paved roads and surrounded by the same buildings and structures that existed over 100 years ago, it is easy to get the feeling that you have taken a trip back in time. Only a mile or so away, name-brand food and motel chains can easily bring you back to the present. In addition to history of the days gone by, the town also has access to outdoor recreation at the nearby Kisatchie National Forest.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 300.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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