Love's Travel Stop
0 mi from route
Trip from Lacombe, LA to Shreveport, LA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 1m
Distance
328.2 mi
528 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 49m
★
6 AM
6h 2m
8 AM
6h 28m
10 AM
6h 11m
12 PM
6h 8m
3 PM
6h 12m
5 PM
6h 26m
8 PM
5h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shreveport, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lacombe to Shreveport is 328.2 miles and takes about 6h 1m via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route connects the Southeast region of Louisiana, moving from the Gulf Coast area to the northwestern part of the state. Expect a mix of driving conditions, with a significant portion on highways but also time spent on surface roads. It's a manageable drive for a single day, making it a practical option for getting across the state without 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
164.1 miles from Lacombe, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 186.3 mi | 3h 10m |
| West Florida Republic Parkway | 74.1 mi | 1h 20m |
| State Route 1 | 49 mi | 1h 2m |
| I 10 | 7.5 mi | 9m |
| North Lobdell Highway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| LA 434 | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Caddo Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Pete Harris Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 186.3 mi, about 3h 10m
Traffic on I-12
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 2 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,067 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~225 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 18 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lacombe, LA and Shreveport, LA.
1
Start on US 190
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 190
2
Enter roundabout
227 ft
·
3 sec
3
Continue
55 ft
·
0 sec
4
Continue on LA 434
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
LA 434
5
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
6
Merge onto I 12
74 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
West Florida Republic Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 10
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 10
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft
·
7 sec
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
14
Merge onto I 49; US 167
186 mi
·
3 hr 10 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
16
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pete Harris Drive
17
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Caddo Street
18
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
19
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft
·
1 sec
·
River Parkway
20
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
For this 6h 1m drive, leaving in the morning is best to maximize daylight, especially since it's a single-day trip. With 328.2 miles to cover, you'll likely want at least one stop for fuel or a break, even with a fuel cost estimate of $48. The longest stretch on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway is substantial at 186.3 miles, so plan your first break before or shortly after that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Shreveport, as services can vary in rural areas.
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 164.1 miles from Lacombe, LA, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.3 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 72 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.1 miles or 3h 10m 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 58m
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 Lacombe, 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 Lacombe, LA
This is one driving day of about 328.2 miles and 6h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Lacombe, 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 186.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
164 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 164.1 miles from Lacombe, 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 186.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
I-49 Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Big Boss Travel Plaza
0.3 mi from route
415 South Truck Stop
0.3 mi from route
La1 Truck Stop
1.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 325.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
81.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m 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
85.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m 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
85.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m 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
325.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 55m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.56 one way
$91.12 round trip
$3.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
115 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.95 | $50.97 | $101.95 |
| premium | $4.29 | $55.42 | $110.84 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $61.97 | $123.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 98.5 | 1 | $34.46 | $15.75 |
| Efficient EV | 82.1 | 0 | $28.72 | $13.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 131.3 | 1 | $45.95 | $21.00 |
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Lacombe, LA
Night in Lacombe on Saturday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
W 5 mph
3% chance
Live 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
Shreveport, LA
Night in Shreveport on Saturday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph
16% chance
Live 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
164 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
4 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 1m 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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 249
View on nps.gov
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 41% of this 328.2-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 186.3 miles along Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. After that, you'll transition to State Route 1, which makes up the remaining portion of the 6h 1m drive. Be prepared for varied road surfaces and potentially more interactions with local traffic as you move off the main highways.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.3 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 around 0.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 328.2 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: at 0.7 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 81.6 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
181 ft
15 ft
Total Climb
239 ft
Total Descent
74 ft
Highest Point
181 ft
~328.2 mi in
Elevation Range
166 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Lacombe, LA
Full guide →Arriving in Shreveport, LA
Full guide →Founded 1836
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.
Top landmarks
- • Petroleum Tower — 16-story high-rise office building located at 425 Edwards Street at the corner o...
- • Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium — theater and meeting hall in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
- • Strand Theatre — theater in Shreveport, Louisiana
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 1m. Total distance: 328.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 1m 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 186.3 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Shreveport, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 81.6 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Shreveport, LA before the return drive.
How this page is built
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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