Origin
Lafayette, LA
Late night in Lafayette on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lafayette, LA to Denham Springs, LA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 28m
Distance
71.6 mi
115 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 22m
★
6 AM
1h 28m
8 AM
1h 42m
10 AM
1h 33m
12 PM
1h 32m
3 PM
1h 34m
5 PM
1h 41m
8 PM
1h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Denham Springs, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 71.6-mile drive from Lafayette, LA, to Denham Springs, LA, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 28 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, it's an economical option for a day trip. The route primarily utilizes I 10, West Florida Republic Parkway, and Northeast Evangeline Thruway, making it a convenient option for travelers staying within the Southeast region. This drive is best suited for a single day, offering a direct connection between these two Louisiana locales without the need for an overnight stay.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 55.9 mi | 1h 4m |
| West Florida Republic Parkway | 9.2 mi | 10m |
| Northeast Evangeline Thruway | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Corporal Shawn Kelly Memorial Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Hummel Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Rue Jefferson | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Eugene Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Range Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 55.9 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette, LA and Denham Springs, 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
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Baton Rouge
6
Merge onto I 10
56 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 159
Toward I 12 East: Hammond
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8
Continue on I 12
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
West Florida Republic Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 10
Toward LA 3002: Denham Springs
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
240 ft
·
7 sec
Toward LA 3002 North: Downtown Historic District, Denham Springs
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto LA 3002
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Range Avenue
12
Continue on LA 3002
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Corporal Shawn Kelly Memorial Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on LA 3002
507 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Range Avenue
14
Continue on Eugene Street
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
Eugene Street
15
Continue on LA 16
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Hummel Street
16
Turn left onto Centerville Street Northeast
433 ft
·
15 sec
·
Centerville Street Northeast
17
Turn right onto Benton Street
228 ft
·
12 sec
·
Benton Street
18
Arrive at destination
Benton Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.8 miles from Lafayette, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 71.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
58.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 12 East: Hammond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 159
Toward I 12 East: Hammond
7
68.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward LA 3002: Denham Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10
Toward LA 3002: Denham Springs
9
69.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward LA 3002 North: Downtown Historic District, Denham Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Toward LA 3002 North: Downtown Historic Distric...
5
71.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
Benton Street
Turn right onto Benton Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.81 one way
$21.63 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $11.87 | $23.74 |
| premium | $4.56 | $12.85 | $25.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.81 | $31.62 |
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.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Tolls
$0
Total
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.52 | $3.44 |
| Efficient EV | 17.9 | 0 | $6.26 | $2.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.6 | 0 | $10.02 | $4.58 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Denham Springs, LA
Late night in Denham Springs on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
18 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
1h 28m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 91% of the drive on major roadways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 55.9 miles on I 10, which will likely be the most consistent part of your journey. While the profile is 'Highway-focused,' the combination of I 10, West Florida Republic Parkway, and Northeast Evangeline Thruway suggests a mix of high-speed interstate travel and potentially slightly more varied parkway or thruway driving as you progress. This isn't a winding country road, but rather a direct path designed for efficient travel.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.9 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and West Florida Republic Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near I 10.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.6 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 3 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 28m. Total distance: 71.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.9 miles on I 10. 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.
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 Denham Springs, LA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Denham Springs, LA before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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