Laplace to Minden is 306.6 miles and takes about 5 hours 57 minutes via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. You'll experience a mix of highway and surface roads, making for a varied driving experience. With just one recommended stop and a reasonable drive time, this route is well-suited for a single-day adventure.
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
153.3 miles from Laplace, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
142.6 mi
2h 23m
I 10
54.2 mi
59m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
HWY 371
34.6 mi
49m
US 371
8.1 mi
12m
South Main Street
4.6 mi
6m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
Ringgold Avenue
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 142.6 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laplace, LA and Minden, LA.
1
Start on this road
41 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 61
1.3 mi·2 min·West Airline Highway
3
Turn right onto LA 3188
2.2 mi·3 min·Belle Terre Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
5
Merge onto I 10
50 mi·55 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi·4 min·North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
12
Merge onto I 49; US 167
143 mi·2 hr 23 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
14
Keep slight right at fork
316 ft·7 sec
15
Turn straight onto US 371; LA 177
8.1 mi·12 min·US 371; LA 177
16
Continue on US 84; US 371
0.2 mi·20 sec·HWY 84 EAST
17
Turn left onto US 371
0.8 mi·1 min·Ringgold Avenue
18
Turn left onto US 71; US 371
1.4 mi·2 min·Ringgold Avenue
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 371
35 mi·49 min·HWY 371
20
Continue on US 371
4.6 mi·6 min·South Main Street
21
Continue on Sibley Road
0.3 mi·25 sec·Sibley Road
22
Continue on LA 159
1.3 mi·1 min·Lee Street
23
Turn right onto US 79; US 80; LA 159
0.2 mi·50 sec·Broadway Street
24
Turn left onto US 80
177 ft·13 sec·West Union Street
25
Turn left onto US 79; US 80; LA 159
103 ft·3 sec·Main Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 79; US 80; LA 159
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour 57 minute estimated drive time, leaving in the morning is your best bet to complete this trip comfortably within daylight hours. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, as recommended. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 142.6-mile stretch on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, as services might be less frequent. The $48 fuel cost is an estimate, so checking current prices before you depart is always a good idea.
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 153.3 miles from Laplace, LA, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.6 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 67 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.3 miles or 2h 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 4h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minden, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Laplace, 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 Laplace, LA
This is one driving day of about 306.6 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Laplace, 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 142.6 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 58.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in|LA 3188 / Belle Terre Boulevard
Turn right onto LA 3188 / Belle Terre Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
3.4 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
6
54.6 mi into trip|~1h 3m 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
58.6 mi into trip|~1h 7m 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
58.9 mi into trip|~1h 8m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.56 one way
$85.12 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$47.62
$95.24
premium
$4.29
$51.77
$103.54
diesel
$4.80
$57.89
$115.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92
1
$32.19
$14.72
Efficient EV
76.7
0
$26.83
$12.26
EV Truck/SUV
122.6
1
$42.92
$19.62
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Laplace, LA
Late night
in Laplace on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 0 to 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:02AM CDT until July 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Minden, LA
Late night
in Minden on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
SW 0 to 5 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:02AM CDT until July 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
95°F
Alexandria, LA
153 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
5h 57m 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.
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a mixed highway and surface road profile, with 48% of the drive on major highways. You'll have a significant stretch of 142.6 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, offering a sustained period of cruising. Expect to transition from highway driving to surface roads, which often means more varied speed limits and potential for increased local traffic.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.6 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 1.3 miles in near LA 3188 / Belle Terre Boulevard.
Driving Effort10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 306.6 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 1.3 miles (LA 3188 / Belle Terre Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 54.6 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
297 ft8 ft
Total Climb
374 ft
Total Descent
128 ft
Highest Point
297 ft
~284.7 mi in
Elevation Range
289 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
LaPlace is an Unincorporated Community on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the historic "German Coast" section of the Acadiana region of Louisiana. It is just a short distance west of Greater New Orleans. LaPlace is the largest community in St. John the Baptist Parish.
Around Mardi Gras time, the hotels in New Orleans, Metairie, and Kenner may be booked up, so LaPlace is a good alternative, 20 minutes drive from Kenner and Metairie, about 30 or 35 minutes from New Orleans.
Until Katrina hit in 2005 this was a relatively small town with a few high schools, a Wal-mart, some strip malls, and a couple of good places to eat. LaPlace has grown significantly in the 2010s, but there is still not much to do here.
Minden, the parish seat of Webster Parish and the fifth-largest city in Northern Louisiana, has a healthy dose of both city and country attributes. Driving through the downtown strip on old brick-paved roads and surrounded by the same buildings and structures that existed over 100 years ago, it is easy to get the feeling that you have taken a trip back in time. Only a mile or so away, name-brand food and motel chains can easily bring you back to the present. In addition to history of the days gone by, the town also has access to outdoor recreation at the nearby Kisatchie National Forest.
Top landmarks
•Fuller House — historic house in Louisiana, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 57m. Total distance: 306.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 142.6 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Minden, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (LA 3188 / Belle Terre Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 54.6 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Minden, LA before the return drive.
