Origin
Metairie, LA
Late night in Metairie on Friday
Local time
2:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Metairie, LA to Mansfield, LA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 28m
Distance
293.1 mi
472 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 15m
★
6 AM
5h 28m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 38m
12 PM
5h 35m
3 PM
5h 39m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Metairie, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Mansfield, LA
Airam Dato-on
Trip Overview
Metairie, LA to Mansfield, LA is 293.1 miles and takes about 5h 28m via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and I 10, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays within the state of Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region towards its northwestern part. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a straightforward drive for anyone looking to cover ground efficiently. It's a practical option if you need to get from the New Orleans area to Northwest Louisiana without much fuss.
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
146.5 miles from Metairie, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 152.7 mi | 2h 33m |
| I 10 | 76.2 mi | 1h 26m |
| State Route 1 | 49 mi | 1h 2m |
| US 84 | 8.5 mi | 12m |
| North Lobdell Highway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| North Causeway Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 47th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Fagot Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 152.7 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie, LA and Mansfield, 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 Rouge
Use 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 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft
·
7 sec
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Use 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
153 mi
·
2 hr 33 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
18
Keep slight left at fork
193 ft
·
4 sec
19
Turn left onto US 84
8.5 mi
·
12 min
·
US 84
20
Arrive at destination
US 84
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 28m estimated drive time, leaving Metairie in the morning should allow you to reach Mansfield well before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 152.7-mile highway segment, as services might be less frequent. The $43 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, and since this is a single-day trip, you don't need to plan for overnight accommodations. Consider taking your break during the initial highway portion to maximize time on the faster roads.
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 146.5 miles from Metairie, LA, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.7 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 64 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.5 miles or 2h 56m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mansfield, 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 293.1 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 152.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
147 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 146.5 miles from Metairie, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 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
$42.94 one way
$85.88 round trip
$3.72/gal
25.4 MPG avg
103 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.13 | $47.67 | $95.34 |
| premium | $4.49 | $51.77 | $103.53 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $64.61 | $129.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.9 | 1 | $30.78 | $14.07 |
| Efficient EV | 73.3 | 0 | $25.65 | $11.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 117.2 | 1 | $41.03 | $18.76 |
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Mansfield, LA
Late night in Mansfield on Friday
Local time
2:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
5 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 28m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 46% of this 293.1-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 152.7 miles, primarily on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. After this significant highway portion, the route transitions to surface roads, indicated by the "Mixed highway & surface" profile. Be prepared for the change in driving conditions as you move from faster highway speeds to more varied surface road environments.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152.7 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort
10/10
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 293.1 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
332 ft
1 ft
Total Climb
336 ft
Total Descent
5 ft
Highest Point
332 ft
~293.1 mi in
Elevation Range
331 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Metairie, LA
Full guide →Metairie is the largest suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana, in Jefferson Parish.
Arriving in Mansfield, LA
Full guide →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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 293.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 152.7 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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 Mansfield, 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 0.9 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mansfield, LA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Mansfield, LA
More trips to Mansfield, LA
Explore more options from Metairie, LA or browse trips ending in Mansfield, LA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse LA road trips.