This 137.2-mile drive from Metairie, Louisiana, to Cade, Louisiana, is a straightforward 2-hour and 42-minute journey primarily utilizing US 90 and I-10. Given its manageable length and duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $21. The drive is largely highway-focused, offering a consistent travel experience across the Southeast region of Louisiana. You'll find it an efficient way to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss, making it a practical choice for those looking to cover ground without extensive planning.
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
68.6 miles from Metairie, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 90
113.2 mi
2h 6m
I 310
10.9 mi
12m
I 10
7.2 mi
8m
Smede Highway
1.1 mi
2m
Petroleum Parkway
1 mi
2m
North Causeway Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
47th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 90
— 113.2 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie, LA and Cade, 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
7.2 mi·8 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 220Toward I 310 South: Boutte, HoumaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 310
11 mi·12 min·I 310
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·55 sec
Toward US 90 West: Houma
13
Merge onto US 90
5.3 mi·7 min·US 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 90
0.3 mi·26 sec·US 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 90
0.5 mi·37 sec·US 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 90
107 mi·1 hr 57 min·US 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.1 mi·11 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
18
Turn right onto Petroleum Parkway
1.0 mi·2 min·Petroleum Parkway
19
Continue on LA 92-1
1.1 mi·2 min·Smede Highway
20
Turn right onto R Babineaux Road
526 ft·23 sec·R Babineaux Road
21
Arrive at destination
R Babineaux Road
Trip Plan
With a total duration of 2 hours and 42 minutes, this 137.2-mile trip offers flexibility for departure times. Consider leaving in the morning to make the most of your day or heading out in the afternoon to avoid potential midday traffic. The longest stretch of 113.2 miles on US 90 means you'll want to ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. While only one official stop is indicated, you'll find services along the way. Keep an eye out for the transition points between US 90 and I-310/I-10 as you navigate the route.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.6 miles from Metairie, LA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.2 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 30 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.6 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cade, 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 137.2 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 US 90 for about 113.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 9.2 — 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
5
0.2 mi into trip|~1m in|46th Street
Turn left onto 46th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: New Orleans, Baton Rouge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: New Orleans, Baton...
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
8
9.2 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I 310 South: Boutte, Houma
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 220
Toward I 310 South: Boutte, Houma
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.72 one way
$41.44 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$22.75
$45.49
premium
$4.56
$24.63
$49.25
diesel
$5.61
$30.29
$60.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.2
0
$14.41
$6.59
Efficient EV
34.3
0
$12.00
$5.49
EV Truck/SUV
54.9
0
$19.21
$8.78
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 16, 2026
Origin
Metairie, LA
Night
in Metairie on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cade, LA
Night
in Cade on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°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
2 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
2h 42m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 137.2-mile trip, with 96% of your journey on major roadways like US 90 and I-10. The character of the drive is shaped by a significant longest stretch of 113.2 miles on US 90, meaning you'll have extended periods of consistent speed and fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops. While the majority is on high-speed roads, the transition between them offers a slight shift in scenery and pace. This route is designed for efficient travel, prioritizing getting you to your destination smoothly.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.2 mi on US 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 90 and I 310. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 137.2 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 0.2 miles (North Causeway Boulevard): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (46th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Metairie, LA to Cade, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Houma along the way.
Houma
9.2 mi in|~14m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 137.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m 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 113.2 miles on US 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Cade, 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 0.2 miles (North Causeway Boulevard): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (46th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cade, LA before heading back.
