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Trip from Lutcher, LA to Alexandria, LA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 13m

Distance

165.5 mi

266 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 1m ★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 37m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 19m
3 PM
3h 23m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Lutcher, LA, LA

Lutcher, LA

Photography Maghradze PH

largest city and parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States

Alexandria, LA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 165.7-mile journey from Lutcher, Louisiana, to Alexandria, Louisiana, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes to complete. You'll navigate primarily via North Airline Avenue and West Airline Highway, eventually merging onto I-10 West. With a fuel cost estimated at $25 and only one recommended stop, this route offers a straightforward drive through the Southeast region of Louisiana. The overall feel is that of a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for frequent adjustments. It's an efficient way to cover the distance without a significant time commitment.

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

82.7 miles from Lutcher, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway 64.9 mi 1h 5m
State Route 1 49 mi 1h 2m
I 10 35.4 mi 39m
West Airline Highway 7.5 mi 9m
North Lobdell Highway 3.6 mi 4m
North Airline Avenue 2.2 mi 4m
Main Street 0.7 mi 1m
Murray Street 0.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway — 64.9 mi, about 1h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lutcher, LA and Alexandria, LA.

1

Start on LA 641

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street
2

Turn left onto LA 3274

2.2 mi · 4 min · North Airline Avenue
3

At end of road, turn left onto US 61

7.5 mi · 9 min · West Airline Highway
4

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 58 sec
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
5

Merge onto I 10

31 mi · 34 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 151 Toward LA 415: Lobdell Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

317 ft · 7 sec
Toward LA 415: Lobdell Use 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

65 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward M L King Drive, Downtown Alexandria
14

Continue on 10th Street

0.2 mi · 22 sec · 10th Street
15

Turn right onto Murray Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Murray Street
16

Arrive at destination

Murray Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 41 minutes for this 165.7-mile drive, you have plenty of flexibility. Aiming for a morning departure will allow you to reach Alexandria with ample time for any planned activities. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $25, you can easily complete this trip without needing to split it. Pay close attention to local road signage as you transition between North Airline Avenue, West Airline Highway, and I-10 West to ensure you stay on the most efficient path. The 'turn-heavy' nature means keeping an eye out for upcoming turns is key to a smooth journey.

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 82.7 miles from Lutcher, LA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.9 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 36 miles or 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 82.7 miles or 1h 42m 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 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, LA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lutcher, 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 Lutcher, LA

This is one driving day of about 165.5 miles and 3h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Lutcher, 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 64.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Addis, LA, LA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Addis, LA

83 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.

Popular next leg

Addis, LA to Alexandria, LA

127.9 mi · 2h 31m

Pacing Suggestions

Baton Rouge, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Carencro, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.7 miles from Lutcher, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Supper Club BR

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch · 41min in 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $100 or ab

Hours: 5–10 pm

+12253411000

Visit website

Louisiana Lagniappe Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

1.4 mi

Tu tierra-Cafeteria, Breakfast & Brunch

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

1.2 mi

Supper Club BR

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $100 or ab

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 5–10 pm

+12253411000

Visit website

Louisiana Lagniappe Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour Expensive

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 5–8:30 pm

+12257679991

Visit website

Tu tierra-Cafeteria, Breakfast & Brunch

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+12252563986

Visit website

Court Street Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Port Allen, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12253304669

Visit website

The Cottage Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13184484220

Visit website

The Creek Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Woodworth, Louisiana

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+13184490674

Tiger Phở Vietnamese Kitchen

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12259305448

Maison Lacour French Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $50 to $10

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 5:30–7 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Gonzales, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Gonzales, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Green Park Park & Charge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Pineville, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Love's Travel Stop

0 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

I-49 Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

415 South Truck Stop

0.3 mi from route

La1 Truck Stop

1.2 mi from route

Alexandria Museum of Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13184433458

Visit website

Blue Zoo Aquarium Baton Rouge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+12254165290

Visit website

Burden Museum & Gardens

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12257633990

Visit website

BREC's Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12257578905

Visit website

LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12257633990

Visit website

Laura Plantation: Louisiana's Créole Heritage Site

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Vacherie, Louisiana

Hours: 9:30 am–3:20 pm

+12252657690

Visit website

West Baton Rouge Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Port Allen, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+12253362422

Visit website

Highland Road Community Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+12257674003

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 11.1 and 46.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
11.1 mi into trip | ~16m in | I 10

Merge onto I 10

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
42.5 mi into trip | ~51m 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
46.5 mi into trip | ~55m 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
46.8 mi into trip | ~56m 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
5
46.9 mi into trip | ~56m in | LA 415 / North Lobdell Highway

Merge onto LA 415 / North Lobdell Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.99 one way

$49.99 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $27.44 $54.88
premium $4.56 $29.71 $59.41
diesel $5.61 $36.54 $73.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.7 0 $17.38 $7.94
Efficient EV 41.4 0 $14.48 $6.62
EV Truck/SUV 66.2 0 $23.17 $10.59

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (67% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Lutcher, LA

Late night in Lutcher on Tuesday

Local time

3:14 AM

CDT

Current temp

87°F

Partly Sunny

SW 5 mph 11% chance Live forecast

Destination

Alexandria, LA

Late night in Alexandria on Tuesday

Local time

3:14 AM

CDT

Current temp

87°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 13m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 165.7-mile route. With a highway share of 0%, you won't be experiencing any long stretches of interstate cruising. Instead, the drive will likely involve a series of turns and local road navigation, making it feel more engaged and less monotonous than a pure highway run. While there's no longest uninterrupted stretch specified due to its local road nature, the profile suggests consistent attention will be needed as you transition between different local routes. This driving style means you'll be more connected to the landscape, even if it's not explicitly scenic.

51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.9 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 11.1 miles in near I 10.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 13 significant decision points across 165.5 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 11.1 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.5 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Alexandria, LA

Full guide →

Founded 1818

Alexandria is a historic city, rich in Louisiana history. Civil War historic sites along with easy access to numerous historic locations and Kisatchie National Forest sites make it a city ideal for history enthusiasts and sportsmen.

Top landmarks

  • • Arna Wendell Bontemps House — historic house in Louisiana, United States
  • • Bolton High School — high school in Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana

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 13m. Total distance: 165.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 64.9 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 7 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 Alexandria, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 11.1 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.5 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Alexandria, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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