Mansfield, LA to Kenner, LA is 287.8 miles and takes about 5h 20m via I 49 and I 10, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, moving you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. With 96% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct path that makes for a straightforward travel day. The total distance is manageable for a single day of driving, getting you to your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
143.9 miles from Mansfield, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 49
152.6 mi
2h 33m
I 10
71.4 mi
1h 20m
US 190
49.5 mi
1h 3m
McArthur Drive
8 mi
11m
LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi
5m
Williams Boulevard
1 mi
2m
Polk Street
0.3 mi
<1m
21st Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 152.6 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mansfield, LA and Kenner, LA.
1
Start on US 84
0.3 mi·25 sec·Polk Street
2
Turn straight onto US 84; LA 175
8.0 mi·11 min·McArthur Drive
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
4
Merge onto I 49
153 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 49
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
6
Keep slight left at fork
362 ft·9 sec
Toward US 190 East: Baton Rouge
7
Merge onto US 190
49 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 190
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi·5 min·LA 415 Spur
9
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Baton Rouge
10
Merge onto I 10
71 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 223A-BToward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans International AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
174 ft·4 sec
Toward LA 49 South: New Orleans International Airport, Williams Boulevard SouthUse the right lane.
13
Turn right onto LA 49
1.0 mi·2 min·Williams Boulevard
Use the right lane.
14
Turn right onto 21st Street
38 ft·1 sec·21st Street
15
Arrive at destination
21st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 20m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning from Mansfield will allow you to arrive in Kenner well before evening. The route is mostly highway, so focus on finding a convenient spot for your single recommended stop along I 49 or I 10. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 152.6-mile stretch on I 49, as services can sometimes be spaced out on long highway segments. The $45 fuel estimate should give you a good baseline for budgeting.
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 143.9 miles from Mansfield, LA, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.6 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 63 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.9 miles or 2h 29m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenner, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mansfield, 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 Mansfield, LA
This is one driving day of about 287.8 miles and 5h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Mansfield, 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 49 for about 152.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 161.3 and 286.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
161.3 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
5
161.8 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 190 East: Baton Rouge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 190 East: Baton Rouge
6
161.8 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|US 190
Merge onto US 190
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
286.5 mi into trip|~5h 17m in
Take the exit toward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans International Airport
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 223A-B
Toward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans I...
9
286.8 mi into trip|~5h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 49 South: New Orleans International Airport, Williams Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 49 South: New Orleans International A...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.95 one way
$79.90 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$44.70
$89.40
premium
$4.29
$48.60
$97.19
diesel
$4.80
$54.34
$108.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.3
1
$30.22
$13.81
Efficient EV
72
0
$25.18
$11.51
EV Truck/SUV
115.1
1
$40.29
$18.42
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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 18, 2026
Origin
Mansfield, LA
Late night
in Mansfield on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 0 to 5 mph10% 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
Kenner, LA
Late night
in Kenner on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph2% 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
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
3 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 20m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 49.6
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 287.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway driving, with 96% of the 287.8 miles on major roads like I 49 and I 10. You'll encounter a long stretch of 152.6 miles on I 49, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur late in the trip, after you've spent the majority of your time on the interstate. Expect a pattern of dense exits as you approach your destination.
96% 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: 152.6 mi on I 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 161.3 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 287.8 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 161.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 161.8 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
332 ft0 ft
Total Climb
9 ft
Total Descent
341 ft
Highest Point
332 ft
Elevation Range
332 ft
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 Mansfield, LA to Kenner, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Opelousas along the way.
Mansfield, in Northern Louisiana, is an example of a small town with several big stories, the largest of which revolves around the American Civil War. The parish seat of DeSoto Parish (the Louisiana equivalent of a county), the city is home of several historical sites, including the first women's college in the western United States, and the site of one of the largest Civil War battles west of the Mississippi River (which was also the last major victory of the Southern States during the war).
A historic log cabin courthouse, a charming downtown square, larger-than-life stories of days gone by, and a real joie de vivre among the residents, are key signatures of this seemingly hidden city, which lies 10 miles away from the major Interstate highway in the area.
Top landmarks
•DeSoto Parish Courthouse — county courthouse in Mansfield, United States of America
Kenner is a suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana, on the east bank of Jefferson Parish, approximately 10 mi (16 km) west of the city. It is the location of New Orleans International Airport. René-Robert Cavelier landed on this stretch of the north shore of the Mississippi River in 1682.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 287.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 152.6 miles on I 49. 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 Kenner, 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 161.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 161.8 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kenner, LA before the return drive.
