Metairie Terrace, LA to Mansfield, LA is 292.6 miles and takes about 5h 28m via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and I 10, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, so it’s not a pure interstate run. Given the duration and distance, it's definitely doable in a single day, but plan for a relatively straightforward drive across the state.
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
146.3 miles from Metairie Terrace, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
152.7 mi
2h 33m
I 10
74.7 mi
1h 24m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
US 84
8.5 mi
12m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
Clearview Parkway
1.2 mi
2m
West Metairie Avenue North
0.9 mi
2m
Mayflower Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 152.7 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie Terrace, LA and Mansfield, LA.
1
Start on Mayflower Drive
0.1 mi·24 sec·Mayflower Drive
2
Continue on Civic Street
396 ft·18 sec·Civic Street
3
Turn right onto Waltham Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Waltham Street
4
Turn left onto West Metairie Avenue North
0.9 mi·2 min·West Metairie Avenue North
5
Turn right onto LA 3152
1.2 mi·2 min·Clearview Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
8
Merge onto I 10
71 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi·4 min·North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
15
Merge onto I 49; US 167
153 mi·2 hr 33 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
17
Keep slight left at fork
193 ft·4 sec
18
Turn left onto US 84
8.5 mi·12 min·US 84
19
Arrive at destination
US 84
Trip Plan
For a drive of this length, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. With a total duration of around 5.5 hours, a single stop should be sufficient to break up the drive. The route features 152.7 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, so plan for that longer stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into less populated areas, as the estimated fuel cost is $43. Given it's a one-day trip, you have flexibility to depart when convenient.
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 146.3 miles from Metairie Terrace, LA, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.7 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 64 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.3 miles or 2h 56m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mansfield, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Metairie Terrace, 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 Terrace, LA
This is one driving day of about 292.6 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Metairie Terrace, 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 152.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 78.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.2 mi into trip|~3m in|LA 3152 / Clearview Parkway
Turn right onto LA 3152 / Clearview Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
3.1 mi into trip|~7m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
73.9 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
77.8 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
78.2 mi into trip|~1h 33m 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
$45.55 one way
$91.10 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$50.21
$100.43
premium
$4.71
$54.27
$108.54
diesel
$6.18
$71.18
$142.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.8
1
$30.72
$14.04
Efficient EV
73.2
0
$25.60
$11.70
EV Truck/SUV
117
1
$40.96
$18.73
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Metairie Terrace, LA
Evening
in Metairie Terrace on Monday
Local time
5:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mansfield, LA
Evening
in Mansfield on Monday
Local time
5:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
E 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
16 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
5h 28m 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.
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 242.1
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?
You'll spend about 46% of your time on highways, meaning a good portion of the 292.6 miles involves surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 152.7 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. After that segment, you'll transition to a mixed highway and surface road profile. Be aware that you'll encounter more frequent exits and potentially slower speeds as you move between highway sections and surface streets.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152.7 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 1.2 miles in near LA 3152 / Clearview Parkway.
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 14 significant decision points across 292.6 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 1.2 miles (LA 3152 / Clearview Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.9 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Mansfield, in Northern Louisiana, is an example of a small town with several big stories, the largest of which revolves around the American Civil War. The parish seat of DeSoto Parish (the Louisiana equivalent of a county), the city is home of several historical sites, including the first women's college in the western United States, and the site of one of the largest Civil War battles west of the Mississippi River (which was also the last major victory of the Southern States during the war).
A historic log cabin courthouse, a charming downtown square, larger-than-life stories of days gone by, and a real joie de vivre among the residents, are key signatures of this seemingly hidden city, which lies 10 miles away from the major Interstate highway in the area.
Top landmarks
•DeSoto Parish Courthouse — county courthouse in Mansfield, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 292.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 152.7 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Mansfield, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (LA 3152 / Clearview Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.9 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mansfield, LA before the return drive.
