Metairie Terrace, LA to Oakdale, LA is 178.9 miles and takes about 3h 51m via I 10 and US 167, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, moving you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. For a direct, mostly highway cruise, this route is a straightforward option. You'll cover a good chunk of ground with minimal fuss, making it ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
89.5 miles from Metairie Terrace, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
74.7 mi
1h 24m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
US 167
17.5 mi
26m
Oakdale Road
9.8 mi
14m
Vidrine Road
7.1 mi
10m
Oakdale Highway
4.4 mi
6m
State Route 10
4.1 mi
5m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 74.7 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie Terrace, LA and Oakdale, 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
3.2 mi·3 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
16
Take the exit onto US 167
0.3 mi·44 sec·US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 744: Ville Platte
17
Turn left onto US 167
17 mi·25 min·US 167
18
Turn straight onto US 167; LA 10
1.2 mi·1 min·West Main Street
19
Continue on US 167; LA 10
0.1 mi·10 sec·Chemin Vidrine
20
Turn straight onto LA 10
7.1 mi·10 min·Vidrine Road
21
Continue on LA 10
3.6 mi·5 min·Oakdale Road
22
Continue on LA 10
0.5 mi·48 sec·State Route 10
23
Continue on LA 10
0.7 mi·1 min·Oakdale Highway
24
Continue on LA 10
3.2 mi·4 min·Oakdale Road
25
Turn straight onto LA 10
3.6 mi·5 min·Oakdale Highway
26
Continue on LA 10
2.9 mi·4 min·Oakdale Road
27
Continue on LA 10
3.6 mi·4 min·State Route 10
28
Turn right onto Irene Street
240 ft·6 sec·Irene Street
29
Continue on East 5th Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·East 5th Avenue
30
Continue on South 13th Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·South 13th Street
31
Turn left onto East 6th Avenue
0.1 mi·38 sec·East 6th Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
East 6th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 51-minute duration, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Oakdale well before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to decide when and where to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services on I 10 is nearly 75 miles. The $26 fuel cost is an estimate, so always check current prices. Since this is a single-day trip, you can adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 89.5 miles from Metairie Terrace, LA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.7 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 39 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.5 miles or 1h 47m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakdale, 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 178.9 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 I 10 for about 74.7 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 15
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
$26.21 one way
$52.42 round trip
$3.72/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.13
$29.10
$58.19
premium
$4.49
$31.60
$63.19
diesel
$5.60
$39.44
$78.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.7
0
$18.78
$8.59
Efficient EV
44.7
0
$15.65
$7.16
EV Truck/SUV
71.6
0
$25.05
$11.45
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Sep 2, 2026
Origin
Metairie Terrace, LA
Afternoon
in Metairie Terrace on Friday
Local time
4:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 8:27PM CDT until September 2 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued September 1 at 4:56PM CDT until September 2 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Oakdale, LA
Afternoon
in Oakdale on Friday
Local time
4:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 0 to 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 8:27PM CDT until September 2 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued September 1 at 4:56PM CDT until September 2 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 51m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 be on the highway for 82% of this 178.9-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on the interstate is 74.7 miles on I 10. Expect to transition from the interstate onto surface roads, specifically State Route 1 and US 167, as you approach Oakdale. The dense network of exits on I 10 will be noticeable for the first portion of your trip.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.7 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and State Route 1. 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 15 significant decision points across 178.9 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 51m. Total distance: 178.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.7 miles on I 10. 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 Oakdale, 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 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 — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Oakdale, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
