Metairie to Merryville is 247.2 miles and takes about 4 hours 58 minutes via I 10 and Highway 171, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive that mostly sticks to major highways, making it a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is well within typical driving limits.
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
123.6 miles from Metairie, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
194.8 mi
3h 37m
State Route 110
23.6 mi
41m
Highway 171
21.1 mi
24m
Martin Luther King Highway
4.5 mi
7m
North Causeway Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
47th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
O'Bryan Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 194.8 mi, about 3h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie, LA and Merryville, 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
122 mi·2 hr 15 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 171: DeRidder, Shreveport
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 171 North: DeRidder, Shreveport
13
Merge onto US 171
4.5 mi·7 min·Martin Luther King Highway
14
Continue on US 171
21 mi·24 min·Highway 171
15
Turn left onto LA 110
13 mi·23 min·State Route 110
16
Turn right onto LA 27; LA 110
0.1 mi·17 sec·State Route 27
17
Turn left onto LA 110
10 mi·17 min·State Route 110
18
Continue on LA 110
0.1 mi·15 sec·O'Bryan Street
19
Continue on LA 110
0.4 mi·37 sec·Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
LA 110
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 58-minute drive, departing in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but consider a brief stop around the halfway point. With a fuel cost estimated at $37, ensure your tank is full before leaving Metairie, as the longest stretch without exits could be substantial. Keep an eye out for the change in road type as you exit I 10 onto State Route 110 and then Highway 171; this marks the shift to more local 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 123.6 miles from Metairie, LA, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 194.8 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 54 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.6 miles or 2h 21m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Merryville, 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 247.2 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 194.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 197.1 — 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
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
197.1 mi into trip|~3h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 171 North: DeRidder, Shreveport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 171 North: DeRidder, Shreveport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.99 one way
$75.99 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$42.02
$84.05
premium
$4.65
$45.23
$90.45
diesel
$5.35
$52.07
$104.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.2
0
$25.96
$11.87
Efficient EV
61.8
0
$21.63
$9.89
EV Truck/SUV
98.9
1
$34.61
$15.82
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Metairie, LA
Afternoon
in Metairie on Wednesday
Local time
3:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 0 to 5 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 31 at 1:49PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 11:00AM CDT until June 4 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Merryville, LA
Afternoon
in Merryville on Wednesday
Local time
3:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 31 at 1:49PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 11:00AM CDT until June 4 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
75°F
Crowley, LA
124 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
2 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
4h 58m 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.
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?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 97% of the route utilizing them. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 194.8 miles, primarily on I 10. Be prepared for the transition from the interstate to State Route 110 and then Highway 171, where the road environment will change. Expect a significant number of exits and potential merging as you navigate the interstate portion.
97% 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: 194.8 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and State Route 110. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 247.2 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: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
126 ft0 ft
Total Climb
169 ft
Total Descent
90 ft
Highest Point
126 ft
~229.5 mi in
Elevation Range
126 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 Metairie, LA to Merryville, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Shreveport along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 247.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 194.8 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Merryville, 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 18 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 0.2 miles (46th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: 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 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Merryville, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
