Monroe to Albany is 220.4 miles and takes about 4h 14m via US 425 and I 55, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Louisiana, taking you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, meaning you'll cover ground efficiently. Given its relatively short duration and the 98% highway share, this trip is well-suited for a single-day journey. Plan for a straightforward drive that prioritizes reaching your destination with minimal fuss.
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
110.2 miles from Monroe, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 425
74.1 mi
1h 25m
US 98
43.2 mi
48m
I 55
41.2 mi
44m
US 84
28.3 mi
32m
I 20
20.3 mi
22m
US 190
4.6 mi
6m
US 61
3.3 mi
3m
Devereaux Drive
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 425
— 74.1 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monroe, LA and Albany, LA.
1
Start on this road
38 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left
45 ft·5 sec
3
Turn right onto US 80; LA 15
265 ft·8 sec·Louisville Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 165 Business; LA 15
0.2 mi·18 sec·North 5th Street
5
Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15
458 ft·7 sec·North 5th Street
6
Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15
0.7 mi·1 min·Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
8
Merge onto I 20
20 mi·22 min·I 20
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
10
Turn right onto US 425
74 mi·1 hr 25 min·US 425
11
Turn left onto South Canal Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Canal Street
12
Turn right onto State Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·State Street
13
Turn left onto South Martin Luther King Jr Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·South Martin Luther King Jr Street
14
Turn right onto East Franklin Street
0.8 mi·1 min·East Franklin Street
15
Turn slight left onto Devereaux Drive
1.1 mi·1 min·Devereaux Drive
16
Take the ramp onto Devereaux Drive
0.1 mi·19 sec·Devereaux Drive
17
Merge onto US 61; US 84
3.3 mi·3 min·US 61; US 84
18
Take the exit onto US 84
28 mi·32 min·US 84
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
20
Keep slight left at fork
167 ft·4 sec
21
Turn right onto US 98; MS 184
0.6 mi·43 sec·US 98; MS 184
22
Turn right onto US 98
29 mi·32 min·US 98
23
Take the exit onto US 98
14 mi·14 min·US 98
24
Continue on I 55
41 mi·44 min·I 55
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 31Toward US 190: Albany, HammondUse the left / right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto US 190
4.6 mi·6 min·US 190
27
Arrive at destination
US 190
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 4 hours, this trip is comfortably manageable in a single day, so consider an early morning departure to maximize your time upon arrival. The estimated fuel cost of $33 means you should have ample budget for gas, but it's always wise to top off before leaving Monroe. While the longest stretch without a significant break is 74.1 miles on US 425, plan for a brief stop midway to stretch your legs and stay alert. Given the highway-focused nature, rest areas will be your primary options for a quick pause.
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 110.2 miles from Monroe, LA, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.1 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 48 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.2 miles or 2h 9m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Monroe, 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 Monroe, LA
This is one driving day of about 220.4 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Monroe, 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 US 425 for about 74.1 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 215.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 165 Business; LA 15 / North 5th Street
Turn right onto US 165 Business; LA 15 / North 5th Street
Navigation decision point
5
21.5 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
5
131.2 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
8
215.6 mi into trip|~4h 6m in
Take the exit toward US 190: Albany, Hammond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Exit 31
Toward US 190: Albany, Hammond
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.29 one way
$66.57 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$36.54
$73.08
premium
$4.56
$39.56
$79.12
diesel
$5.61
$48.66
$97.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.1
0
$23.14
$10.58
Efficient EV
55.1
0
$19.29
$8.82
EV Truck/SUV
88.2
1
$30.86
$14.11
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Monroe, LA
Late night
in Monroe on Tuesday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Albany, LA
Late night
in Albany on Tuesday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
20 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
4h 14m 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.
Poverty Point National Monument
National Monument
Now a nearly forgotten culture, Poverty Point at its peak 3,000 years ago was part of an enormous trading network that stretched for hundreds of miles across the continent. It was - and is - also an e...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 22.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway drive, with 98% of the journey on high-speed roads. You'll encounter stretches designed for covering distance, including a continuous 74.1-mile segment on US 425. The character is primarily that of a functional, efficient drive rather than a winding, scenic tour. Expect to be on major thoroughfares for the vast majority of your travel time. This setup allows for consistent speed and a predictable driving experience throughout the 220.4 miles.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.1 mi on US 425.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 425 and US 98. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 220.4 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 165 Business; LA 15 / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Monroe, LA to Albany, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Archibald along the way.
Monroe is the third-largest city in Northern Louisiana, largest city in Northeast Louisiana, and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish. It is also home to the University of Louisiana at Monroe and their sports team, the ULM Warhawks.
Founded as Fort Miro, it took on the name of Monroe after the paddle-wheeler James Monroe that came to town in the early 19th century, and, by extrapolation, the former president James Monroe. An interesting bit of trivia is that Monroe was once the headquarters of Delta Airlines, which got its start as the crop dusting operation Delta Dusters in nearby Tallulah.
Slathered down with highly religious views and the effects of years of racial inequality, Monroe can have a rather gritty appearance imbued with a fragrant aroma from its paper mill, but, well, take heart, Wikivoyage traveler.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 220.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.1 miles on US 425. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 165 Business; LA 15 / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Poverty Point National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Albany, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
