Love's Travel Stop
0 mi from route
Trip from Metairie, LA to Minden, LA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 21m
Distance
326.4 mi
525 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 9m
★
6 AM
6h 22m
8 AM
6h 47m
10 AM
6h 31m
12 PM
6h 28m
3 PM
6h 32m
5 PM
6h 46m
8 PM
6h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Metairie, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Minden, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Metairie, LA to Minden, LA is 326.4 miles and takes about 6h 21m via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and I 10, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, traversing the Southeast region from the New Orleans metro area up towards Shreveport. You'll experience a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under seven hours, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion.
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
163.2 miles from Metairie, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 142.6 mi | 2h 23m |
| I 10 | 76.2 mi | 1h 26m |
| State Route 1 | 49 mi | 1h 2m |
| HWY 371 | 34.6 mi | 49m |
| US 371 | 8.1 mi | 12m |
| South Main Street | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| North Lobdell Highway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Ringgold Avenue | 2.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 142.6 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie, LA and Minden, 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
143 mi
·
2 hr 23 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
18
Keep slight right at fork
316 ft
·
7 sec
19
Turn straight onto US 371; LA 177
8.1 mi
·
12 min
·
US 371; LA 177
20
Continue on US 84; US 371
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
HWY 84 EAST
21
Turn left onto US 371
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Ringgold Avenue
22
Turn left onto US 71; US 371
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Ringgold Avenue
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 371
35 mi
·
49 min
·
HWY 371
24
Continue on US 371
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
South Main Street
25
Continue on Sibley Road
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Sibley Road
26
Continue on LA 159
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Lee Street
27
Turn right onto US 79; US 80; LA 159
0.2 mi
·
50 sec
·
Broadway Street
28
Turn left onto US 80
177 ft
·
13 sec
·
West Union Street
29
Turn left onto US 79; US 80; LA 159
103 ft
·
3 sec
·
Main Street
30
Arrive at destination
US 79; US 80; LA 159
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 21m estimated drive time, leaving Metairie in the morning should allow you to reach Minden with plenty of daylight. Plan for one stop to break up the 326.4 miles; the longest stretch without a stop is 142.6 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between highway and surface roads, and budget around $49 for gas. This route is manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility in when you depart and how long you rest at your stop.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163.2 miles from Metairie, LA, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.6 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 72 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.2 miles or 3h 13m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minden, 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 326.4 miles and 6h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 142.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
163 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 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 163.2 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 142.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Kings Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
I-49 Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.3 mi from route
415 South Truck Stop
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
La1 Truck Stop
1.2 mi from route
TA Express
2.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
2.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 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
$50.81 one way
$101.62 round trip
$3.95/gal
25.4 MPG avg
114 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $56.01 | $112.03 |
| premium | $4.71 | $60.54 | $121.08 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $79.40 | $158.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97.9 | 1 | $34.27 | $15.67 |
| Efficient EV | 81.6 | 0 | $28.56 | $13.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 130.6 | 1 | $45.70 | $20.89 |
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Origin
Metairie, LA
Late night in Metairie on Saturday
Local time
5:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
NE 0 to 5 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 4:48AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 16 at 4:46AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Minden, LA
Late night in Minden on Saturday
Local time
5:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
N 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 4:48AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 16 at 4:46AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
90°F
Alexandria, LA
163 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
9 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
6h 21m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 236.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a mixed bag, with 52% on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 142.6 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway before transitioning to other roads. Expect some stretches of rural cruising mixed with highway driving as you cover the 326.4 miles. The profile indicates a blend of highway and surface roads, so be prepared for varying speed limits and traffic patterns.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.6 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 22 significant decision points across 326.4 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
271 ft
1 ft
Total Climb
283 ft
Total Descent
27 ft
Highest Point
271 ft
~303.1 mi in
Elevation Range
270 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Metairie, LA
Full guide →Metairie is the largest suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana, in Jefferson Parish.
Arriving in Minden, LA
Full guide →Founded 1836
Minden, the parish seat of Webster Parish and the fifth-largest city in Northern Louisiana, has a healthy dose of both city and country attributes. Driving through the downtown strip on old brick-paved roads and surrounded by the same buildings and structures that existed over 100 years ago, it is easy to get the feeling that you have taken a trip back in time. Only a mile or so away, name-brand food and motel chains can easily bring you back to the present. In addition to history of the days gone by, the town also has access to outdoor recreation at the nearby Kisatchie National Forest.
Top landmarks
- • Fuller House — historic house in Louisiana, United States
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 6h 21m. Total distance: 326.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 142.6 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Minden, 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 15 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 and 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 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Minden, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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