Traveling from Mandeville to Bossier City covers 319.7 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 56 minutes. Because this route relies on local roads like Girod Street, Florida Street, and Highway 190 rather than major interstates, you should plan for a full day of driving. Budget approximately $49 for fuel to complete the journey. While it is possible to finish this trip in one day, the turn-heavy nature of the roads means you will spend significant time navigating local traffic. Since both cities are located in the Southeast region of Louisiana, you will remain within the same geographic area throughout your travel. Consider this a practical, direct route if you prefer avoiding interstate congestion in favor of a more localized driving experience.
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
159.6 miles from Mandeville, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
186.3 mi
3h 10m
West Florida Republic Parkway
62.7 mi
1h 8m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
I 10
7.5 mi
9m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
US 190
2 mi
2m
Highway 190
1.8 mi
2m
Purple Heart Recipients Highway
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 186.3 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mandeville, LA and Bossier City, LA.
1
Start on LA 1087
160 ft·9 sec·Monroe Street
2
Turn left onto LA 1087
0.4 mi·1 min·Girod Street
3
Turn left onto US 190
1.0 mi·1 min·Florida Street
4
Continue on US 190
1.8 mi·2 min·Highway 190
5
Take the ramp onto US 190
2.0 mi·2 min·US 190
Toward US 190: North Causeway Boulevard
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 12: Hammond, SlidellUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 12 West: HammondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 12
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·West Florida Republic Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 10
3.6 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi·4 min·North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
16
Merge onto I 49; US 167
186 mi·3 hr 10 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
19
Merge onto I 20
1.5 mi·2 min·Purple Heart Recipients Highway
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Traffic Street
21
Continue on Barksdale Boulevard
0.2 mi·36 sec·Barksdale Boulevard
22
Turn left onto Monroe Street
78 ft·2 sec·Monroe Street
23
Arrive at destination
Monroe Street
Trip Plan
Since this 4-hour and 56-minute journey involves frequent turns and local roads, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion. You should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the constant navigation can be more mentally taxing than highway driving. Keep your $49 fuel budget in mind and try to fill up before hitting the more rural or isolated sections of the route. Because this trip is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on how you feel behind the wheel. A helpful tip for this specific route is to double-check your GPS frequently, as the reliance on Girod Street, Florida Street, and Highway 190 involves numerous turns that are easy to miss.
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 159.6 miles from Mandeville, LA, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.3 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 70 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.6 miles or 3h 7m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bossier City, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mandeville, 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 Mandeville, LA
This is one driving day of about 319.2 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Mandeville, 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 186.3 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.2 and 76.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
5.2 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward I 12: Hammond, Slidell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 12: Hammond, Slidell
7
5.4 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 12 West: Hammond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 12 West: Hammond
6
72.7 mi into trip|~1h 23m 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
76.6 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
76.9 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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
$48.21 one way
$96.41 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$52.92
$105.84
premium
$4.56
$57.29
$114.59
diesel
$5.61
$70.48
$140.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.8
1
$33.52
$15.32
Efficient EV
79.8
0
$27.93
$12.77
EV Truck/SUV
127.7
1
$44.69
$20.43
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Mandeville, LA
Evening
in Mandeville on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bossier City, LA
Evening
in Bossier City on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Broussard, LA
160 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
17 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
5h 52m 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 242.2
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?
Expect a unique driving experience on this route, as it consists entirely of local roads with 0% highway travel. You will navigate a turn-heavy path that requires your full attention, as it lacks the long, uninterrupted stretches found on major expressways. The transition through various local streets and Highway 190 creates a rhythmic, changing environment rather than a monotonous interstate grind. Because you are not traveling on high-speed corridors, your average pace will be dictated by local conditions and intersections. Stay alert, as the absence of highway miles means you will be constantly transitioning between different road types and local zones.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.3 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 5.2 miles in.
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 19 significant decision points across 319.2 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 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.7 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Bossier City is the second-largest city in Northern Louisiana and the largest city in Bossier Parish. Home to Barksdale Air Force Base, which hosts several Air Force commands, as well as the backup landing site of Air Force One, Bossier City's recent history revolves largely around the U.S. military. In addition, most of the casinos in the Ark-La-Tex (the three-states region where Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas intersect) are within the corporate limits of Bossier City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 52m. Total distance: 319.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.3 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Bossier City, 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 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.7 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 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bossier City, LA before the return drive.
