Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
57m
Distance
45.5 mi
73 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Metairie, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Ponchatoula, LA
Maive & Nahuel Fotografía
This 45.5-mile drive from Metairie, LA to Ponchatoula, LA is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in under an hour, making it ideal for a day trip. The route primarily utilizes major highways, with 93% of the drive on interstates like I-10 and I-55, as well as US 51 Business. With an estimated fuel cost of $7, this short hop is very budget-friendly. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region of Louisiana for the entirety of this trip. Given the brief duration and minimal stops, this route is perfect for a quick transit or an easy addition to a larger travel plan.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 22.5 mi | 24m |
| I 10 | 17.9 mi | 22m |
| US 51 Business | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Causeway Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 47th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Fagot Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 46th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Northwest Railroad Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie, LA and Ponchatoula, LA.
Start on Fagot Avenue
Continue on 47th Street
At end of road, turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
Turn left onto 46th Street
Turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Continue on I 55; US 51
Take the exit onto US 51 Business
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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.
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 22.8 miles from Metairie, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 20 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Turn left onto 46th Street
Navigation decision point
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Hammond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$6.87 one way
$13.74 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $7.54 | $15.09 |
| premium | $4.56 | $8.17 | $16.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.05 | $20.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.78 | $2.18 |
| Efficient EV | 11.4 | 0 | $3.98 | $1.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.37 | $2.91 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Metairie on Sunday
Local time
9:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Morning in Ponchatoula on Sunday
Local time
9:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 57-minute trip. You'll be spending the vast majority of your time on high-speed interstates, covering 93% of the 45.5 miles on these roads. The longest stretch without a major change in direction or road type is a significant 22.5 miles on I-55. While primarily interstate, the route does incorporate US 51 Business, offering a slight variation in the driving environment as you approach your destination. This profile suggests a journey where efficiency is key, with minimal opportunities for leisurely sightseeing directly from the road.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 10. 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.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 45.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 57m.
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.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 57m. Total distance: 45.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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