Spanning 366.5 miles from Metairie to Springhill, this journey across Louisiana takes approximately 7 hours and 4 minutes of drive time. You will navigate via I-10, State Route 1, and the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway to reach your destination in the northern part of the state. While it is technically possible to complete this trip in a single day, be prepared for a long stretch behind the wheel. Expect to budget roughly $56 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Since you are traveling from the Southeast region toward the northern reaches of the state, you will notice a gradual transition in the landscape as you move inland.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
183.2 miles from Metairie, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
186.3 mi
3h 10m
I 10
76.2 mi
1h 26m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
Highway 3
18.9 mi
26m
Highway 157
14.5 mi
19m
Benton Road
6.3 mi
9m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
Purple Heart Recipients Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 186.3 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie, LA and Springhill, 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
3.9 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse 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
186 mi·3 hr 10 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
19
Merge onto I 20
1.9 mi·2 min·Purple Heart Recipients Highway
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Hamilton Road, DiamondJacks Boulevard
21
Turn left onto Hamilton Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Hamilton Road
22
Enter roundabout onto Walter O Bigby Carriageway
27 ft·0 sec·Walter O Bigby Carriageway
23
Continue on Walter O Bigby Carriageway
0.2 mi·29 sec·Walter O Bigby Carriageway
24
Enter roundabout onto Walter O. Bigby Carriageway
161 ft·4 sec·Walter O. Bigby Carriageway
25
Continue on Walter O. Bigby Carriageway
0.7 mi·1 min·Walter O. Bigby Carriageway
26
At end of road, turn left onto LA 3
6.3 mi·9 min·Benton Road
27
Continue on LA 3
19 mi·26 min·Highway 3
28
Continue on LA 3
0.6 mi·1 min·South Louisiana Street
29
Turn slight right
171 ft·6 sec
30
Continue on LA 2
0.5 mi·45 sec·West Mary Lee Street
31
Turn left onto LA 157
381 ft·9 sec·North Magnolia Street
32
Turn slight right onto LA 157
0.8 mi·1 min·Hickory Drive
33
Continue on LA 157
15 mi·19 min·Highway 157
34
Continue on LA 157
1.5 mi·2 min·Plain Dealing Road
35
Continue on LA 157
0.3 mi·48 sec·Butler Street
36
Turn left
68 ft·9 sec
37
Turn left
212 ft·15 sec
38
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning for two stops is highly recommended to break up the 7-hour duration and keep you refreshed. Given the distance, try to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach Springhill before nightfall. Since the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway accounts for such a large portion of the drive, check your fuel levels before merging onto it to avoid unnecessary mid-stretch detours. Although this route can be tackled in one day, having the flexibility to take breaks at your two planned stops will make the journey significantly more manageable. Always double-check your route settings, particularly when transitioning onto State Route 1, to stay on track.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.2 miles from Metairie, LA, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.3 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 81 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.2 miles or 3h 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 5h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springhill, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Metairie, LA
This is one driving day of about 366.5 miles and 7h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Metairie, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 186.3 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 25
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
$55.35 one way
$110.70 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$60.76
$121.52
premium
$4.56
$65.78
$131.56
diesel
$5.61
$80.92
$161.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110
1
$38.48
$17.59
Efficient EV
91.6
1
$32.07
$14.66
EV Truck/SUV
146.6
1
$51.31
$23.46
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Metairie, LA
Evening
in Metairie on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
SE 5 to 15 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Springhill, LA
Evening
in Springhill on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph39% chanceLive forecast
85°F
Alexandria, LA
183 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
7h 4m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 240.1
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?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed transit with local road navigation. You will spend about 43% of your journey on highways, providing a blend of interstate efficiency and smaller road travel. The most significant portion of your time is spent on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 186.3 miles. As you transition between these road types, the personality of the drive shifts from busy, high-traffic corridors to more steady, consistent stretches of pavement. Maintaining focus is key during the longer highway segments to ensure a smooth transition into the final leg of your trip.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.3 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 Effort10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 366.5 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.
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 Springhill, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Monroe along the way.
Monroe
318 mi in|~5h 51m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 4m. Total distance: 366.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 4m 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 186.3 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 Springhill, 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 2 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.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Springhill, LA before the return drive.
