Lafayette, LA to Delhi, LA is 217.1 miles and takes about 4h 3m via Monroe Highway and I 20, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, connecting the Southeast region. Expect a drive that's primarily on surface roads, making it a more local experience rather than a high-speed interstate dash. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's a straightforward route suitable for a single day of travel.
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
108.6 miles from Lafayette, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Monroe Highway
82.5 mi
1h 36m
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
76.1 mi
1h 17m
I 20
34.2 mi
36m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.8 mi
9m
US 165
6.1 mi
7m
US 167
4.8 mi
7m
Northeast Evangeline Thruway
1.9 mi
3m
Broadway Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Monroe Highway
— 82.5 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette, LA and Delhi, LA.
1
Start on Rue Vermilion Ouest
335 ft·22 sec·Rue Vermilion Ouest
2
Turn left onto Rue Jefferson
0.3 mi·51 sec·Rue Jefferson
3
Continue on Jefferson Boulevard
0.3 mi·46 sec·Jefferson Boulevard
4
Turn left onto US 90; LA 182
1.9 mi·3 min·Northeast Evangeline Thruway
5
Continue on I 49; LA 182
8.8 mi·9 min·Veterans Memorial Expressway
6
Continue on I 49; US 167
76 mi·1 hr 17 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
7
Take the exit onto US 167
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
4.6 mi·6 min·US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward US 165: Alexandria, MonroeUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
337 ft·8 sec
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
11
Merge onto US 165
83 mi·1 hr 36 min·Monroe Highway
12
Turn straight onto US 165
6.1 mi·7 min·US 165
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
15
Merge onto I 20
34 mi·36 min·I 20
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward LA 17: Delhi, Winnsboro
17
Turn left onto LA 17
239 ft·9 sec·State Route 17
18
Continue on LA 17
1.0 mi·1 min·Broadway Street
19
Turn left onto US 80
353 ft·8 sec·East 1st Street
20
Turn right onto Charter Street
187 ft·8 sec·Charter Street
21
Arrive at destination
Charter Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day drive, leaving Lafayette in the morning will give you ample time to reach Delhi by afternoon. The route has only one recommended stop, so consider taking breaks as needed, especially during the longer stretches on surface roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $35, and it's always wise to refuel before you're running on empty, particularly when a significant portion is on non-interstate roads. Driving mostly surface roads means you'll want to be aware of local traffic patterns.
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 108.6 miles from Lafayette, LA, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 48 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.6 miles or 1h 58m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Delhi, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, LA
This is one driving day of about 217.1 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Lafayette, 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 Monroe Highway for about 82.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 87.4 and 181.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
87.4 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pinevill...
6
87.6 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expr...
7
92.2 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
6
92.4 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 165 North: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
5
181.2 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.14 one way
$60.28 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$33.72
$67.44
premium
$4.29
$36.66
$73.32
diesel
$4.80
$40.99
$81.99
Estimated Tolls: $0.13
Northeast Evangeline Thruway
(1.9 mi)$0.13
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.1
0
$22.80
$10.42
Efficient EV
54.3
0
$19.00
$8.68
EV Truck/SUV
86.8
1
$30.39
$13.89
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Lafayette, LA
Late night
in Lafayette on Sunday
Local time
5:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
W 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:12AM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:11AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Delhi, LA
Late night
in Delhi on Sunday
Local time
5:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:12AM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:11AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 3m 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.
Poverty Point National Monument
National Monument
Now a nearly forgotten culture, Poverty Point at its peak 3,000 years ago was part of an enormous trading network that stretched for hundreds of miles across the continent. It was - and is - also an e...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 217.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 25% of the drive on highways like I 20. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 82.5 miles on Monroe Highway before hitting the interstate. Be prepared for more frequent turns and slower speeds as you transition between these road types. Expect a significant portion of your drive to be on local roads, not high-speed interstate cruising.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.5 mi on Monroe Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 87.4 miles in near US 167.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 217.1 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 87.4 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.6 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
189 ft37 ft
Total Climb
286 ft
Total Descent
231 ft
Highest Point
189 ft
~108.6 mi in
Elevation Range
153 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 Lafayette, LA to Delhi, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Monroe along the way.
Lafayette is a city in Louisiana. It's the unofficial capital of Acadiana or Cajun Country. This flourishing moderate sized city is home to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Music and dancing is an integral part of community life. Several restaurants and dance halls thrive in the area and the city hosts several musical festivals throughout the year.
Top landmarks
•First United Methodist Church — historic church in Lafayette, Louisiana, United States
•Sterling Grove Historic District — historic district in Lafayette, Louisiana, United States
•Evangeline Hotel — historic building in Lafayette, Louisiana, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 217.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.5 miles on Monroe Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.13 in tolls one way, starting with Northeast Evangeline Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Delhi, 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: at 87.4 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.6 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Poverty Point National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Delhi, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
