Mathews to Shreveport is 322.4 miles and takes about 5h 50m via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, US 90, and Veterans Memorial Expressway, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from Louisiana's Southeast region to another part of the Southeast, staying within the state the entire time. Given the relatively short duration, it's a straightforward drive suitable for a single day. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface road driving, so be prepared for varying speeds and traffic conditions. It's a practical route if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently within Louisiana.
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
161.2 miles from Mathews, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
197.8 mi
3h 22m
US 90
95.4 mi
1h 43m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10.2 mi
11m
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
6 mi
9m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.7 mi
3m
Highway 1
2.3 mi
3m
South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Ambassador Caffery Parkway
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 197.8 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mathews, LA and Shreveport, LA.
1
Start on New Haven Street
13 ft·3 sec·New Haven Street
2
Turn left onto LA 1
2.3 mi·3 min·Highway 1
3
Turn left
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward US 90 West: Morgan City
4
Merge onto US 90
95 mi·1 hr 43 min·US 90
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·14 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi·24 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi·28 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·15 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1
0.2 mi·13 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
10
Take the exit onto LA 92-1
0.1 mi·21 sec·Young Street
11
Continue on LA 92-1
0.3 mi·38 sec·Young Street
12
Turn right onto St Etienne Road
1.0 mi·3 min·St Etienne Road
13
At end of road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
0.1 mi·22 sec·East Fairfield Drive
14
Turn left onto LA 3073
1.5 mi·2 min·Ambassador Caffery Parkway
15
Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·South Morgan Avenue
16
Turn right onto US 90; LA 182
0.2 mi·13 sec·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
17
Keep slight left at fork
158 ft·7 sec
18
Turn left onto US 90; LA 182
2.5 mi·2 min·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
19
Continue on US 90; LA 182
6.0 mi·9 min·Southeast Evangeline Thruway
20
Continue on I 49; LA 182
8.8 mi·9 min·Veterans Memorial Expressway
21
Continue on I 49; US 167
198 mi·3 hr 22 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
23
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Pete Harris Drive
24
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi·2 min·Caddo Street
25
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi·56 sec·Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
26
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft·1 sec·River Parkway
27
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
For this 5h 50m drive, consider an early morning departure from Mathews to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $47, pacing yourself should be manageable. The longest stretch on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway is nearly 200 miles, so plan your fuel and break needs accordingly before hitting that segment. Since it's a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule slightly, but staying aware of the transition from highway to surface roads will help you anticipate changes in travel time.
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 161.2 miles from Mathews, LA, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.8 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 71 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.2 miles or 3h 2m 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 47m
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 Mathews, 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 Mathews, LA
This is one driving day of about 322.4 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Mathews, 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 197.8 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 2.3 and 319.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~3m in
Turn left toward US 90 West: Morgan City
Navigation decision point
Toward US 90 West: Morgan City
4
98.1 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
99.3 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
104.4 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
319.4 mi into trip|~5h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.76 one way
$89.51 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$50.07
$100.15
premium
$4.29
$54.44
$108.88
diesel
$4.80
$60.88
$121.75
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
(6 mi)$0.42
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.5 mi)$0.17
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.7
1
$33.85
$15.48
Efficient EV
80.6
0
$28.21
$12.90
EV Truck/SUV
129
1
$45.14
$20.63
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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 17, 2026
Origin
Mathews, LA
Evening
in Mathews on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 5 mph6% 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
Shreveport, LA
Evening
in Shreveport on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph16% 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 50m 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 244.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 34% of this 322.4-mile drive is on highways. You'll experience the longest continuous stretch on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, covering 197.8 miles. Following this, you'll transition to a mixed highway and surface road profile for the remainder of the trip. Be aware of the shift in driving pace as you move from potentially faster highway speeds to more varied surface road conditions, which might include more frequent intersections or slower local traffic.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 197.8 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 322.4 miles you will encounter 19 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: at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 98.1 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 99.3 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
Top landmarks
•Petroleum Tower — 16-story high-rise office building located at 425 Edwards Street at the corner o...
•Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium — theater and meeting hall in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
•Strand Theatre — theater in Shreveport, Louisiana
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 50m. Total distance: 322.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 197.8 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.59 in tolls one way, starting with Southeast Evangeline Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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.
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 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 98.1 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 99.3 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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.
