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Trip from Metairie, LA to Natchitoches, LA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 49m

Distance

251.6 mi

405 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

19 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 36m ★
6 AM
4h 49m
8 AM
5h 16m
10 AM
4h 59m
12 PM
4h 56m
3 PM
5h 0m
5 PM
5h 15m
8 PM
4h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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unincorporated suburban community and census-designated places in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States

Metairie, LA

Wikimedia Commons

small city and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States

Natchitoches, LA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Metairie, LA to Natchitoches, LA covers 251.6 miles and takes about 4h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, I 10, State Route 1 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 107.6 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.00 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

125.8 miles from Metairie, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway 107.6 mi 1h 48m
I 10 76.2 mi 1h 26m
State Route 1 49 mi 1h 2m
LA 1 9.1 mi 13m
North Lobdell Highway 3.6 mi 4m
LA 120 1 mi 1m
North Causeway Boulevard 0.7 mi 1m
Rapides Drive 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway — 107.6 mi, about 1h 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Metairie, LA and Natchitoches, 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

108 mi · 1 hr 48 min · Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward LA 120: Flora, Cypress
18

Turn right onto LA 120

1.0 mi · 1 min · LA 120
19

Turn left onto LA 1

9.1 mi · 13 min · LA 1
20

Keep slight left at fork onto LA 1223

0.6 mi · 1 min · Rapides Drive
21

Continue on LA 1223

0.5 mi · 43 sec · Mill Street
22

Turn slight right

104 ft · 3 sec
23

Turn slight right onto LA 6 Bus

0.6 mi · 56 sec · Jefferson Street
24

Continue on LA 6 Bus

492 ft · 8 sec · Rue Front
25

Arrive at destination

LA 6 Bus

Trip Plan

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 125.8 miles from Metairie, LA, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.6 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 55 miles or 1h 5m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 125.8 miles or 2h 33m 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 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Natchitoches, 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 251.6 miles and 4h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 107.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lafayette, LA

126 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

Baton Rouge, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lafayette, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.8 miles from Metairie, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Parrain's Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 71.9

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12253819922

Visit website

The Breadhouse-Nakatosh Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Natchitoches, Louisiana

0.8 mi

Giorlando's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Metairie, Louisiana

1.3 mi

Parrain's Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 71.9

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12253819922

Visit website

The Breadhouse-Nakatosh Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 251.6

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+13182142400

Giorlando's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Metairie, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–8:45 pm

+15048358593

Visit website

Cork's Cajun Fried Fish & Shrimp

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 71.9

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+12254789128

Visit website

City Pork Jefferson

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 71.9

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+12256158880

Visit website

NolaKorea Korean Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Metairie, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15047028811

Fausto's Bistro

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $30 to $50

Metairie, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15048337121

Visit website

Brigtsen's Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $50 to $10

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: 5–8:30 pm

+15048617610

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 197.7

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 71.9

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 71.9

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 53.9

Gonzales, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Metairie, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 197.7

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 71.9

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ProChargeEV Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 71.9

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12259236993

Visit website

Love's Travel Stop

0 mi from route

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

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

La1 Truck Stop

1.2 mi from route

TA Express

2.4 mi from route

Alexandria Museum of Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 197.7

Alexandria, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13184433458

Visit website

Louisiana State University Rural Life Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 71.9

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+12257652437

Visit website

Knock Knock Children's Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 71.9

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+12253883090

Visit website

Longue Vue House and Gardens

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+15044885488

Visit website

Burden Museum & Gardens

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 71.9

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12257633990

Visit website

LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 71.9

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12257633990

Visit website

13th Gate Escape, Louisiana's Ultimate Escape Games

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 71.9

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–10:15 pm

+12253891313

Visit website

Kidz Kove Discovery Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 53.9

Gonzales, Louisiana

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+12256472841

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

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

$38.00 one way

$76.00 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $41.71 $83.42
premium $4.56 $45.16 $90.32
diesel $5.61 $55.55 $111.10

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: 88 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

19 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Winn-Dixie - Tesla Supercharger

Metairie, LA

Tesla

24 DCFC

Gonzales, LA - Tesla Supercharger

Gonzales, LA

Tesla

16 DCFC

The Jung Hotel - Tesla Supercharger

New Orleans, LA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Hammond Aire Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Baton Rouge, LA

Tesla

11 DCFC

Rouses Market - Tesla Supercharger

Metairie, LA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Circle K - Tesla Supercharger

Baton Rouge, LA

Tesla

8 DCFC

All Star Hyundai of Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge, LA

Blink Network

6 DCFC

Acadian Village Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger

Baton Rouge, LA

Tesla

6 DCFC

Tesla: 7 ChargePoint Network: 5 RED_E: 2 Non-Networked: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 1 Blink Network: 1 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 75.5 0 $26.42 $12.08
Efficient EV 62.9 0 $22.01 $10.06
EV Truck/SUV 100.6 1 $35.22 $16.10

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% 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 Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Metairie, LA

Afternoon in Metairie on Sunday

Local time

2:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Natchitoches, LA

Afternoon in Natchitoches on Sunday

Local time

2:20 PM

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

4h 49m 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?

251.6 mi in 4h 49m — 54% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.

54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.6 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 17 significant decision points across 251.6 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.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 251.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 107.6 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 Natchitoches, 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Natchitoches, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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