If you are planning to travel from Mandeville to Shreveport, prepare for a 319.8-mile journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 56 minutes. This route stays entirely within Louisiana, transitioning from the Southeast region toward the northwest. Because the duration is just under five hours, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip if you are comfortable with a steady pace. You should budget about $43 for fuel to cover the distance. While you could split this into two days, the drive is manageable for most drivers in one go, provided you plan for at least one stop to break up the time behind the wheel.
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
Florida Street
1 mi
1m
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 Shreveport, 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 left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
18
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Pete Harris Drive
19
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi·2 min·Caddo Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi·56 sec·Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
21
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft·1 sec·River Parkway
22
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
To make the most of this drive, aim to head out early to avoid potential local traffic congestion on smaller streets. Since this route lacks the convenience of high-speed interstates, use your one recommended stop to refuel and stretch your legs, ensuring you stay refreshed for the technical sections ahead. Being flexible with your departure time is a major advantage for this trip, as it allows you to bypass the busiest periods on local roads. Keep in mind that because you are relying on local streets like Girod and Florida, your pace will be determined by local conditions rather than speed limits. Always double-check your navigation before leaving, as the turn-heavy nature of the route makes it easy to miss a turn if you aren't watching your GPS closely.
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 Shreveport, 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 53m.
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 17
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 16, 2026
Origin
Mandeville, LA
Evening
in Mandeville on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Shreveport, LA
Evening
in Shreveport on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph11% chanceLive 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
28 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 53m 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 experience on this trip, as it is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a standard interstate cruise. You will navigate via Girod Street, Florida Street, and Highway 190, with a highway share of 0%. Because you are avoiding major interstates, there is no single long, monotonous stretch; in fact, the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on Girod Street. Staying alert is essential, as the constant turns and local road transitions require your full attention compared to a typical highway commute. You will find that the road demands more active engagement as you navigate through the local infrastructure.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 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 17 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.
Shreveport is the largest city in Northern Louisiana, part of the twin city metro of Shreveport-Bossier City, and is considered the principal city in the three-state region known as the "Ark-La-Tex." It has about 188,000 residents (2019), and is in the area of the state designated as the Sportsman's Paradise. Many lakes and rivers are in the area and offer recreational activities. The surrounding area is also a contrast from points in southern Louisiana, in that the landscape is marked by rolling hills and pine forests, being an extension of the Texas region known as the Piney Woods.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 319.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 53m 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 Shreveport, 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 Shreveport, LA before the return drive.
