Monroe, LA to Melville, LA is 167.1 miles and takes about 3h 32m via Martin Luther King Jr Drive, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, taking you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a drive that involves frequent turns and navigating local roads rather than cruising on a major highway. With only one recommended stop and a short drive time, this route is ideal for a straightforward, single-day journey where you can take your time and enjoy the local scenery without feeling rushed.
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
83.6 miles from Monroe, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Martin Luther King Jr Drive
88.7 mi
1h 43m
Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
30.3 mi
30m
Southwest Main Street
19.8 mi
29m
West Railroad Avenue
8.1 mi
14m
Pineville Expressway
4.2 mi
5m
State Route 10
3.7 mi
6m
Highway 115 West
3.6 mi
6m
Lafleur Street
2.3 mi
4m
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 Melville, 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
30 mi·30 min·Martin Luther King, Jr Highway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward LA 115: Bunkie
17
Turn left onto LA 115
1.2 mi·2 min·Macarthur Street
18
Continue on LA 115
3.6 mi·6 min·Highway 115 West
19
Continue on LA 115
0.7 mi·1 min·Macarthur Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto LA 115
0.2 mi·18 sec·South Lexington Avenue
21
Turn right onto LA 115
0.2 mi·25 sec·Church Street
22
Turn right onto US 71; LA 29
20 mi·29 min·Southwest Main Street
23
Turn left onto LA 10
3.7 mi·6 min·State Route 10
24
Continue on LA 10
8.1 mi·14 min·West Railroad Avenue
25
Continue on LA 10
2.3 mi·4 min·Lafleur Street
26
Turn left onto Gum Street
363 ft·17 sec·Gum Street
27
Turn right onto Church Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Church Street
28
Arrive at destination
Church Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 32m duration and 167.1-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, making it best to leave in the morning to maximize daylight. Plan for one stop to break up the 88.7-mile stretch on Martin Luther King Jr Drive, ensuring you stay refreshed. With a fuel cost estimated at $25, it’s wise to fill up before departing Monroe, LA, as opportunities for cheaper fuel might be less frequent on the local roads. Keep an eye on your navigation system, especially as you transition between named roads like Martin Luther King, Jr Highway and Southwest Main Street, to ensure you’re on the most direct path.
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 83.6 miles from Monroe, LA, or about 1h 39m 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 37 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.6 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Melville, 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 167.1 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 132.7 — 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
132.7 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|LA 115 / South Lexington Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto LA 115 / South Lexington Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.24 one way
$50.47 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$27.70
$55.41
premium
$4.56
$29.99
$59.98
diesel
$5.61
$36.89
$73.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.1
0
$17.55
$8.02
Efficient EV
41.8
0
$14.62
$6.68
EV Truck/SUV
66.8
0
$23.39
$10.69
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 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 20, 2026
Origin
Monroe, LA
Late night
in Monroe on Tuesday
Local time
4:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Melville, LA
Late night
in Melville on Tuesday
Local time
4:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°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
18 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 32m 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 offers a "turn-heavy local drive" experience, with only 8% of the journey on highways. You'll spend most of your time on roads like Martin Luther King Jr Drive and Southwest Main Street. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 88.7 miles on Martin Luther King Jr Drive, giving you a significant segment to settle into the rhythm of local driving. Be prepared for frequent adjustments as you navigate through towns and varied road conditions, making it a more engaging drive than a typical interstate trip.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 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 19 significant decision points across 167.1 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.
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 3h 32m. Total distance: 167.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m 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.
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 Melville, 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 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Melville, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
