If you are planning a trip from Lafayette to Waggaman, you are looking at a straightforward 135.1-mile journey across Southeast Louisiana. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 43 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. With a modest estimated fuel cost of $21, the trip is budget-friendly and requires only one planned stop to keep things comfortable. You will primarily utilize I-10 for the majority of the travel, transitioning onto LA 18 and crossing the Huey P. Long Bridge as you approach your destination. Since the entire drive stays within the Southeast region, the transition is seamless and familiar for those accustomed to Louisiana infrastructure. It is a practical route for travelers who value efficiency over complex navigation.
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
67.6 miles from Lafayette, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
123 mi
2h 19m
Huey P. Long Bridge
2.5 mi
3m
LA 18
2.3 mi
4m
South Clearview Parkway
2.1 mi
3m
Northeast Evangeline Thruway
1.9 mi
3m
Clearview Parkway
1.5 mi
3m
Rue Jefferson
0.3 mi
<1m
Jefferson Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 123 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette, LA and Waggaman, 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
123 mi·2 hr 19 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Exit 226Toward Clearview Parkway, Huey Long BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Clearview Parkway South, Huey Long BridgeUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto LA 3152
1.5 mi·3 min·Clearview Parkway
10
Continue on LA 3152
2.1 mi·3 min·South Clearview Parkway
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 90
2.5 mi·3 min·Huey P. Long Bridge
12
Continue on LA 18
2.3 mi·4 min·LA 18
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto Avondale Garden Road
0.1 mi·24 sec·Avondale Garden Road
14
Continue on Gambino Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·Gambino Road
15
Arrive at destination
Gambino Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2-hour and 43-minute drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, as highway congestion can easily extend your travel time. Since the trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your single required stop whenever it suits your energy levels. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before starting the 123-mile stretch on I-10, as this is where you will spend the bulk of your time. If you are unfamiliar with the area, pay extra attention to the signage as you transition from the interstate to LA 18. Having a clear plan for your exit onto the Huey P. Long Bridge will help you navigate the final approach to Waggaman with confidence.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.6 miles from Lafayette, LA, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123 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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.6 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waggaman, 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 135.1 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 I 10 for about 123 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 126.1 — 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
4
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|US 90; LA 182 / Northeast Evangeline Thruway
Turn left onto US 90; LA 182 / Northeast Evangeline Thruway
Navigation decision point
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.
8
126 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward Clearview Parkway, Huey Long Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 226
Toward Clearview Parkway, Huey Long Bridge
8
126.1 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Clearview Parkway South, Huey Long Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Clearview Parkway South, Huey Long Bridg...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.40 one way
$40.81 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$22.40
$44.80
premium
$4.56
$24.25
$48.50
diesel
$5.61
$29.83
$59.66
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
$20
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.5
0
$14.19
$6.48
Efficient EV
33.8
0
$11.82
$5.40
EV Truck/SUV
54
0
$18.91
$8.65
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lafayette, LA
Late night
in Lafayette on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waggaman, LA
Late night
in Waggaman on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
20 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
2h 43m 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 130.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with roughly 95% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on a 123-mile stretch of I-10, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Because the route relies so heavily on interstate travel, expect a consistent, high-speed pace that allows you to cover ground quickly. As you near the end of the trip, the character of the road shifts when you exit the interstate to navigate LA 18 and the Huey P. Long Bridge. While the interstate portion is utilitarian and direct, the final miles provide a change of pace as you transition into local infrastructure.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 123 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Huey P. Long Bridge. You will hit about 8 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 Effort5/10
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 135.1 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.7 miles (US 90; LA 182 / Northeast Evangeline Thruway): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Waggaman, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Clearview Parkway South along the way.
Clearview Parkway South
126.1 mi in|~2h 26m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 135.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 123 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Rue Jefferson): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (US 90; LA 182 / Northeast Evangeline Thruway): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Waggaman, LA before heading back.
