Metairie Terrace, LA to Sibley, LA is 320.3 miles and takes about 6h 12m via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and I 10, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region towards the northern part of the state. The route offers a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. Plan for a steady pace as you cover the distance, with a significant portion on the interstate.
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
160.1 miles from Metairie Terrace, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
142.6 mi
2h 23m
I 10
74.7 mi
1h 24m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
HWY 371
34.6 mi
49m
US 371
8.1 mi
12m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
Ringgold Avenue
2.2 mi
3m
Clearview Parkway
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 142.6 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metairie Terrace, LA and Sibley, 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
143 mi·2 hr 23 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
17
Keep slight right at fork
316 ft·7 sec
18
Turn straight onto US 371; LA 177
8.1 mi·12 min·US 371; LA 177
19
Continue on US 84; US 371
0.2 mi·20 sec·HWY 84 EAST
20
Turn left onto US 371
0.8 mi·1 min·Ringgold Avenue
21
Turn left onto US 71; US 371
1.4 mi·2 min·Ringgold Avenue
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 371
35 mi·49 min·HWY 371
23
Continue on US 371
0.9 mi·1 min·South Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 371
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel level, especially during the 142.6-mile stretch on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, as services might be less frequent there. Budgeting around $47 for fuel should cover the 320.3 miles comfortably. This drive is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to arrive with time to spare.
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 160.1 miles from Metairie Terrace, LA, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.6 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 70 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.1 miles or 3h 10m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sibley, 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 320.3 miles and 6h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 142.6 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 17
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
$43.51 one way
$87.01 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$48.55
$97.10
premium
$4.15
$52.33
$104.66
diesel
$3.75
$47.29
$94.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.1
1
$33.63
$15.37
Efficient EV
80.1
0
$28.03
$12.81
EV Truck/SUV
128.1
1
$44.84
$20.50
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 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 17, 2026
Origin
Metairie Terrace, LA
Afternoon
in Metairie Terrace on Saturday
Local time
2:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
N 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 3:29AM CDT until October 17 at 3:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 17 at 3:27AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Sibley, LA
Afternoon
in Sibley on Saturday
Local time
2:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live 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
2 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 12m 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...
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 52% of your time on highways. The longest continuous stretch on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway is 142.6 miles, before you transition to other roads. Expect a mixed driving experience with stretches of faster highway speeds followed by more varied surface street conditions as you get closer to your destination. The constant changes in speed limits and road types will keep you engaged.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.6 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 17 significant decision points across 320.3 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
229 ft1 ft
Total Climb
254 ft
Total Descent
37 ft
Highest Point
229 ft
~297.4 mi in
Elevation Range
228 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 12m. Total distance: 320.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 12m 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 142.6 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Sibley, 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 11 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sibley, LA before the return drive.
