Monroe to Oak Grove is 198.5 miles and takes about 3h 59m via US 425, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Louisiana, connecting two points in the Southeast region. The drive is mostly on highways, offering a straightforward trip between these two cities. With a recommended single day of travel, this is a manageable drive for most. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, so be prepared for varying driving conditions.
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
99.2 miles from Monroe, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Monroe, LA and Oak Grove, 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
76 mi·1 hr 28 min·US 425
11
Keep slight right at fork
526 ft·14 sec
12
Merge onto US 61
79 mi·1 hr 34 min·Seargent Prentiss Drive
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·48 sec
Toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
14
Continue on I 110
2.1 mi·2 min·Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 5BToward US 190, US 61: Opelousas, Airline HighwayUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 190 East, US 61 South: Airline Highway
17
Merge onto US 61; US 190
17 mi·25 min·Airline Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
334 ft·9 sec
19
Continue on LA 42
0.2 mi·22 sec·LA 42
20
Turn right onto LA 73
0.2 mi·18 sec·Old Jefferson Highway
21
Arrive at destination
LA 73
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 59m duration, departing in the morning from Monroe is ideal to maximize daylight. This route is manageable in a single day, making flexibility a key advantage. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 79.3-mile stretch on Seargent Prentiss Drive, as services might be less frequent. Plan for one stop to stretch your legs or refuel. The fuel cost is estimated at $29, so factor that into your budget before you leave.
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 99.2 miles from Monroe, LA, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.3 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 44 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.2 miles or 1h 55m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Grove, 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 198.5 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 Seargent Prentiss Drive for about 79.3 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 0.1 and 181 — 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
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
8
179.9 mi into trip|~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 190, US 61: Opelousas, Airline Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5B
Toward US 190, US 61: Opelousas, Airline Highwa...
6
180.5 mi into trip|~3h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 190 East, US 61 South: Airline Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 190 East, US 61 South: Airline Highwa...
5
181 mi into trip|~3h 33m in|US 61; US 190 / Airline Highway
Merge onto US 61; US 190 / Airline Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.38 one way
$60.77 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$33.65
$67.30
premium
$4.65
$36.33
$72.66
diesel
$6.28
$49.05
$98.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.6
0
$20.84
$9.53
Efficient EV
49.6
0
$17.37
$7.94
EV Truck/SUV
79.4
0
$27.79
$12.70
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Monroe, LA
Late night
in Monroe on Friday
Local time
4:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Oak Grove, LA
Late night
in Oak Grove on Friday
Local time
4:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 59m 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.
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 20.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About half of this 198.5-mile trip is on highways, with the other half on surface roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 79.3 miles on Seargent Prentiss Drive before transitioning to other roads. The profile indicates a mix of highway and surface driving, so expect to adjust your speed and awareness as you move between road types. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely involve a noticeable change in traffic density and speed limits.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.3 mi on Seargent Prentiss Drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 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 15 significant decision points across 198.5 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 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
294 ft22 ft
Total Climb
323 ft
Total Descent
377 ft
Highest Point
294 ft
~127.6 mi in
Elevation Range
272 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Monroe, LA and Oak Grove, LA, road signs point toward Archibald and Airline Highway.
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.
Top landmarks
•Masur Museum of Art — historic house in Monroe, Louisiana, United States
•Neville High School — high school in Louisiana, United States
•Roland M. Filhiol House — house in Monroe, Louisiana
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 198.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.3 miles on Seargent Prentiss 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 Oak Grove, 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 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Oak Grove, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
