Metairie to Alexandria is 197.3 miles and takes about 3h 49m via I 10 and State Route 1, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a relatively straightforward trip. This route is a good option if you need to get from the New Orleans area to central Louisiana without a lot of fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
98.7 miles from Metairie, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
76.2 mi
1h 26m
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
64.9 mi
1h 5m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
North Causeway Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
Murray Street
0.3 mi
1m
47th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
10th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 76.2 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie, LA and Alexandria, LA.
1
Start on Fagot Avenue
111 ft·4 sec·Fagot Avenue
2
Continue on 47th Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·47th Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
285 ft·17 sec·North Causeway Boulevard
4
Turn left onto 46th Street
47 ft·4 sec·46th Street
5
Turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·North Causeway Boulevard
6
Take the exit
425 ft·12 sec
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: New Orleans, Baton Rouge
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 West: Baton RougeUse the slight left lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
9
Merge onto I 10
72 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
65 mi·1 hr 5 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward M L King Drive, Downtown Alexandria
18
Continue on 10th Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·10th Street
19
Turn right onto Murray Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Murray Street
20
Arrive at destination
Murray Street
Trip Plan
For this 197.3-mile drive, leaving Metairie in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Alexandria before evening. The estimated duration is under four hours, so you likely won't need more than one substantial stop. With a fuel cost estimated around $30, it's wise to fill up before you leave Metairie to ensure you have enough gas for the entire trip, especially for the 76.2-mile stretch on I 10. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, watch for the transition from I 10 to State Route 1, as this is where the driving environment changes most significantly.
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 98.7 miles from Metairie, LA, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.2 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 43 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.7 miles or 1h 58m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Metairie, 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 Metairie, LA
This is one driving day of about 197.3 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Metairie, 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 10 for about 76.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 78.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|North Causeway Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
6
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
78.3 mi into trip|~1h 32m 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
78.7 mi into trip|~1h 32m 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
$29.80 one way
$59.59 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$32.71
$65.42
premium
$4.56
$35.41
$70.83
diesel
$5.61
$43.56
$87.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.2
0
$20.72
$9.47
Efficient EV
49.3
0
$17.26
$7.89
EV Truck/SUV
78.9
0
$27.62
$12.63
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Metairie, LA
Late night
in Metairie on Sunday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alexandria, LA
Late night
in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
3h 49m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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?
This drive is mostly highway, with 63% of the 197.3 miles on interstates or similar roads. The longest continuous stretch on a main highway is 76.2 miles along I 10. After the highway portion, you'll transition to Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and State Route 1 for the remainder of the trip. Expect a noticeable increase in local traffic and more frequent intersections once you leave the interstate.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.2 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North Causeway Boulevard.
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 16 significant decision points across 197.3 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 0.2 miles (North Causeway Boulevard): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.4 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Alexandria is a historic city, rich in Louisiana history. Civil War historic sites along with easy access to numerous historic locations and Kisatchie National Forest sites make it a city ideal for history enthusiasts and sportsmen.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 49m. Total distance: 197.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.2 miles on I 10. 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 Alexandria, 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: at 0.2 miles (North Causeway Boulevard): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.4 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Alexandria, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
