Embark on a 195.4-mile journey from Monroe to Cade, Louisiana, a drive that will take approximately 3 hours and 43 minutes. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Louisiana. With a projected fuel cost of around $30 and a single recommended stop, it's perfectly suited for a single-day adventure. The route primarily utilizes local roads, offering a more connected experience to the communities you'll pass through. Expect a turn-heavy local drive that provides a good feel for the area.
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
97.7 miles from Monroe, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Martin Luther King Jr Drive
88.7 mi
1h 43m
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
76 mi
1h 17m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
8.8 mi
9m
US 90
6.3 mi
8m
LA 182
4.3 mi
6m
Pineville Expressway
4.2 mi
5m
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
2.2 mi
3m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Martin Luther King Jr Drive
— 88.7 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monroe, LA and Cade, 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
1.0 mi·1 min·I 20
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 165: Bastrop, Columbia
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 165 South: Columbia
11
Merge onto US 165
89 mi·1 hr 43 min·Martin Luther King Jr Drive
12
Turn left
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
13
Merge onto US 167
4.2 mi·5 min·Pineville Expressway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
0.8 mi·1 min·US 167
Toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
15
Merge onto I 49; US 167; US 71 BYP
76 mi·1 hr 17 min·Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
16
Continue on I 49; US 167
8.8 mi·9 min·Veterans Memorial Expressway
17
Continue on I 49; LA 182
2.2 mi·3 min·Northwest Evangeline Thruway
18
Continue on US 90; LA 182
6.3 mi·8 min·US 90; LA 182
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182
0.5 mi·33 sec·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182
0.7 mi·46 sec·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
21
Take the exit onto LA 182
4.3 mi·6 min·LA 182
22
Turn right onto LA 92-1
107 ft·8 sec·Smede Highway
23
Turn left onto R Babineaux Road
526 ft·23 sec·R Babineaux Road
24
Arrive at destination
R Babineaux Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 43 minute duration, departing Monroe in the morning allows ample time to reach Cade comfortably within a single day. Plan for one stop to break up the 195.4 miles; the longest stretch without a significant change is 88.7 miles, so consider pausing before or after this segment. The estimated fuel cost is $30, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Monroe. Keep an eye out for the frequent turns characteristic of this route, especially as you transition between Martin Luther King Jr Drive and other local roads.
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 97.7 miles from Monroe, LA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.7 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 43 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.7 miles or 1h 57m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cade, 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 195.4 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 Martin Luther King Jr Drive for about 88.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 195.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
2.2 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward US 165: Bastrop, Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 165: Bastrop, Columbia
6
2.4 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 165 South: Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 165 South: Columbia
6
95.8 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 South, US 167 South: Opelousas
5
195.3 mi into trip|~3h 43m in|R Babineaux Road
Turn left onto R Babineaux Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.51 one way
$59.02 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$32.39
$64.79
premium
$4.56
$35.07
$70.14
diesel
$5.61
$43.14
$86.28
Estimated Tolls: $0.20
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.2 mi)$0.15
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
(0.7 mi)$0.05
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.6
0
$20.52
$9.38
Efficient EV
48.9
0
$17.10
$7.82
EV Truck/SUV
78.2
0
$27.36
$12.51
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Monroe, LA
Late night
in Monroe on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cade, LA
Late night
in Cade on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°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
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 43m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only 13% of the journey on highways. You'll navigate primarily along Martin Luther King Jr Drive and Martin Luther King, Jr Highway, transitioning onto the Veterans Memorial Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 88.7 miles, giving you a substantial segment on a single road before changes occur. Be prepared for frequent turns and a more involved driving experience compared to a straightforward interstate trip.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.7 mi on Martin Luther King Jr Drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 165 Business; LA 15 / North 5th Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 195.4 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 0.1 miles (US 165 Business; LA 15 / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 43m. Total distance: 195.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.7 miles on Martin Luther King Jr Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.20 in tolls one way, starting with Northwest Evangeline Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Cade, 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 0.1 miles (US 165 Business; LA 15 / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Cade, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
