Origin
Lafayette, LA
Late night in Lafayette on Tuesday
Local time
3:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lafayette, LA to Greenwood, LA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 52m
Distance
219.5 mi
353 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 40m
★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 18m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 59m
3 PM
4h 3m
5 PM
4h 17m
8 PM
3h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Greenwood, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Lafayette to Greenwood covers 219.5 miles across the state of Louisiana, typically taking about 3 hours and 52 minutes of drive time. Because this journey fits comfortably into a single day, you do not need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. You should budget approximately $34 for fuel to cover the distance. The route keeps you within the Southeast region for the duration of the trip, offering a consistent experience as you transition between these two Louisiana hubs. Overall, it is a straightforward excursion that works well for a quick getaway or a necessary transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
109.7 miles from Lafayette, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 192.2 mi | 3h 15m |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| Inner Loop Expressway | 6.8 mi | 8m |
| I 20 | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| Northeast Evangeline Thruway | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Greenwood Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Rue Jefferson | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Jefferson Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 192.2 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette, LA and Greenwood, 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
192 mi
·
3 hr 15 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward LA 3132: Dallas, Texarkana
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward LA 3132 West: Dallas, Texarkana
9
Merge onto LA 3132
6.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Inner Loop Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 20 West: Dallas
11
Merge onto I 20
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
I 20
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward US 79 North, US 80: Greenwood
13
Keep slight left at fork
205 ft
·
10 sec
14
Turn left onto US 79; US 80
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Greenwood Road
15
Turn left onto LA 169
227 ft
·
5 sec
·
Greenwood Springridge Road
16
Arrive at destination
LA 169
Trip Plan
Since you have only one planned stop on the itinerary, timing your break effectively is key to staying comfortable during the nearly four-hour drive. Leaving early in the morning can help you navigate the turns with better visibility and less local traffic congestion. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, check your tire pressure and vehicle fluids before departing to ensure everything is ready for the local road conditions. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule without needing to stress over a rigid multi-day plan. Keep your $34 fuel budget in mind as you map out your refueling strategy along the main highways.
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 109.7 miles from Lafayette, LA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 192.2 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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.7 miles or 1h 54m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greenwood, 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 219.5 miles and 3h 52m.
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 Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 192.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 109.7 miles from Lafayette, 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 192.2 miles.
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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 217.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Rue Jefferson
Turn left onto Rue Jefferson
Navigation decision point
5
203.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
Take the exit toward LA 3132: Dallas, Texarkana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward LA 3132: Dallas, Texarkana
6
203.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward LA 3132 West: Dallas, Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward LA 3132 West: Dallas, Texarkana
5
217.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward US 79 North, US 80: Greenwood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 79 North, US 80: Greenwood
5
217.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.15 one way
$66.30 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $36.39 | $72.78 |
| premium | $4.56 | $39.40 | $78.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.46 | $96.93 |
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
$33
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.9 | 0 | $23.05 | $10.54 |
| Efficient EV | 54.9 | 0 | $19.21 | $8.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.8 | 1 | $30.73 | $14.05 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Greenwood, LA
Late night in Greenwood on Tuesday
Local time
3:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live 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
2 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
3h 52m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 128.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate cruise. You will spend only about 10% of your time on highways, meaning much of your focus will be on the local road network. The primary thoroughfares include the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, Veterans Memorial Expressway, and the Inner Loop Expressway. Expect your longest uninterrupted stretch to be 192.2 miles along the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, which accounts for the vast majority of your time behind the wheel. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention compared to a standard, monotonous freeway commute.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 192.2 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Rue Jefferson.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 219.5 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (Rue Jefferson): Navigation decision point; at 203.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 203.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Greenwood, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Texarkana along the way.
Texarkana
203.5 mi in
|
~3h 30m
About the Cities
Starting in Lafayette, LA
Full guide →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.
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 3h 52m. Total distance: 219.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 192.2 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Greenwood, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Rue Jefferson): Navigation decision point; at 203.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 203.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Greenwood, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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