Metairie, LA to Vivian, LA is 352 miles and takes about 6h 36m via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and I 10, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to the northern part of the same state. You'll experience a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making for a varied driving experience. Consider this route if you're looking for a single-day trip with a manageable duration and a straightforward path.
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
176 miles from Metairie, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 26m 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
Alvin B Kessler Memorial Highway
18.7 mi
19m
Highway 170
6.6 mi
9m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
North Market Street
2.8 mi
4m
South Pardue Street
1.4 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 Vivian, 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 left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
18
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Pete Harris Drive
19
Turn right onto LA 173
0.3 mi·44 sec·Caddo Street
20
Turn left onto Common Street
1.0 mi·1 min·Common Street
21
Turn left onto US 71; LA 1
2.8 mi·4 min·North Market Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto LA 3194
0.4 mi·41 sec·Doctor Martin Luther King Drive
Use the left lane.
23
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
24
Merge onto I 49
19 mi·19 min·Alvin B Kessler Memorial Highway
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward LA 170: Vivian, Gilliam
26
Turn left onto Highway 170
6.6 mi·9 min·Highway 170
27
Continue on LA 170
1.4 mi·2 min·South Pardue Street
28
Turn slight left onto East Arkansas Avenue
0.3 mi·35 sec·East Arkansas Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
West Arkansas Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 6h 36m drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Vivian, LA. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the 352 miles as needed, perhaps around the halfway point or when you transition from highway to surface roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $53, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially before heading into longer stretches on surface roads. This drive is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
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 176 miles from Metairie, LA, or about 3h 26m 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 77 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176 miles or 3h 26m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vivian, 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 352 miles and 6h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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 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 22
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
$53.16 one way
$106.32 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$58.36
$116.71
premium
$4.56
$63.18
$126.36
diesel
$5.61
$77.72
$155.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
18 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
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.6
1
$36.96
$16.90
Efficient EV
88
1
$30.80
$14.08
EV Truck/SUV
140.8
1
$49.28
$22.53
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Metairie, LA
Late night
in Metairie on Sunday
Local time
5:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Vivian, LA
Late night
in Vivian on Sunday
Local time
5:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
85°F
Alexandria, LA
176 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
25 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 36m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 242.7
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 route features a 37% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on interstates before transitioning to surface roads. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 186.3 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. Expect to encounter mixed highway and surface driving, with the highway portion likely offering more continuous travel before you encounter more frequent intersections on surface roads.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 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 22 significant decision points across 352 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 6h 36m. Total distance: 352 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 36m 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 Vivian, 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Vivian, LA before the return drive.
