This 257.3-mile journey from Maryland, Louisiana, to Eastwood, Louisiana, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 4 hours and 47 minutes. You'll be navigating primarily along the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, Airline Highway, and Purple Heart Recipients Highway. With a fuel cost estimated around $39, this drive offers a straightforward way to travel within the Southeast region. The route is characterized by its many turns, suggesting a more local driving experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. It's a solid option if you're looking for a direct route without extensive planning.
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
128.6 miles from Maryland, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
186.3 mi
3h 10m
Airline Highway
54.5 mi
1h 10m
Purple Heart Recipients Highway
5.3 mi
7m
Highway 80
3.4 mi
5m
East Texas Street
3.1 mi
4m
Scotland Avenue
1.6 mi
3m
Scenic Highway
1.1 mi
1m
Industrial Drive
0.5 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 Maryland, LA and Eastwood, LA.
1
Start on this road
86 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto LA 19
1.6 mi·3 min·Scotland Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 61
1.1 mi·1 min·Scenic Highway
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
5
Merge onto US 190
54 mi·1 hr 10 min·Airline Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
7
Merge onto I 49; US 167
186 mi·3 hr 10 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
10
Merge onto I 20
5.3 mi·7 min·Purple Heart Recipients Highway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Industrial Drive, Barksdale AFB
12
Keep slight left at fork
139 ft·7 sec
13
Turn left onto LA 782-2
0.3 mi·40 sec·Industrial Drive
14
Continue on Industrial Drive
0.2 mi·24 sec·Industrial Drive
15
Turn straight onto US 79; US 80
3.1 mi·4 min·East Texas Street
16
Continue on US 79; US 80
3.4 mi·5 min·Highway 80
17
Continue on US 79; US 80
104 ft·10 sec·Highway 80
18
Arrive at destination
US 79; US 80
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 47-minute duration, this route is easily achievable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan for one stop to break up the 257.3 miles and manage your energy. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 186.3-mile stretch on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, as services might be less frequent. The 'turn-heavy' nature of this drive means you'll want to stay alert and manage your speed accordingly, particularly as you approach Eastwood. A good tip is to familiarize yourself with the general sequence of the main roads – Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, Airline Highway, and Purple Heart Recipients Highway – before you set off.
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 128.6 miles from Maryland, LA, or about 2h 29m 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 57 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.6 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 3h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eastwood, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Maryland, 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 Maryland, LA
This is one driving day of about 257.3 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Maryland, 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 244.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|LA 19 / Scotland Avenue
Turn left onto LA 19 / Scotland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
2.9 mi into trip|~5m in|US 190 / Airline Highway
Merge onto US 190 / Airline Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
57.4 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
6
244 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
5
244.2 mi into trip|~4h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 20 East: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.72 one way
$71.44 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$39.96
$79.93
premium
$4.29
$43.45
$86.89
diesel
$4.80
$48.58
$97.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.2
0
$27.02
$12.35
Efficient EV
64.3
0
$22.51
$10.29
EV Truck/SUV
102.9
1
$36.02
$16.47
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Maryland, LA
Late night
in Maryland on Sunday
Local time
2:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
W 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Destination
Eastwood, LA
Late night
in Eastwood on Sunday
Local time
2:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
95°F
Alexandria, LA
129 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 47m 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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 168.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 257.3-mile route, with a significant 100% highway share, indicating you'll be on established roadways throughout. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 186.3 miles on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, offering a period of consistent travel before the turns become more frequent. This drive's personality leans towards navigating through communities and potentially varied speed limits rather than a monotonous interstate experience. Be prepared for a dynamic driving feel as you transition between different named highways.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near LA 19 / Scotland Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 257.3 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (LA 19 / Scotland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (US 190 / Airline Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
238 ft23 ft
Total Climb
236 ft
Total Descent
67 ft
Highest Point
238 ft
~257.3 mi in
Elevation Range
215 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 Maryland, LA to Eastwood, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Monroe along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 47m. Total distance: 257.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads 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.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Eastwood, 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (LA 19 / Scotland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (US 190 / Airline Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Eastwood, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
