Monroe, LA to Roseland, LA is 198.7 miles and takes about 3h 51m via US 425, US 98, and US 84, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, covering ground in the Southeast region. Given its short duration and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll be on major roads for the vast majority of the drive, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B.
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
99.3 miles from Monroe, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 425
74.1 mi
1h 25m
US 98
43.2 mi
48m
US 84
28.3 mi
32m
I 55
21.6 mi
23m
I 20
20.3 mi
22m
US 61
3.3 mi
3m
Highway 1048
1.4 mi
3m
Devereaux Drive
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 425
— 74.1 mi, about 1h 25m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~598 veh/hr typical
· worst 874
Quietest
1 AM
~82 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monroe, LA and Roseland, 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
22 mi·23 min·I 55
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
26
Keep slight left at fork
130 ft·3 sec
27
Turn left onto LA 1048
1.4 mi·3 min·Highway 1048
28
At end of road, turn right onto US 51; LA 10
1.0 mi·1 min·US 51; LA 10
29
Arrive at destination
US 51
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 1-day trip, aim to depart Monroe in the morning to allow ample time. With a total drive time of under 4 hours, you can easily complete this in one go without needing to split the journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $29, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. Since this is a relatively short and direct route, you won't need to build in extensive rest breaks, but a quick stop around the halfway point might be comfortable.
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 99.3 miles from Monroe, LA, or about 1h 56m 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 44 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.3 miles or 1h 56m 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 Roseland, 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 198.7 miles and 3h 51m.
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 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 196.2 — 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
5
196.2 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.54 one way
$61.08 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$33.78
$67.56
premium
$4.65
$36.35
$72.71
diesel
$5.35
$41.85
$83.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
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, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.6
0
$20.86
$9.54
Efficient EV
49.7
0
$17.39
$7.95
EV Truck/SUV
79.5
0
$27.82
$12.72
Gas CO2
70 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Monroe, LA
Afternoon
in Monroe on Wednesday
Local time
3:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
0 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued May 31 at 5:17PM CDT until May 31 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 11:00AM CDT until June 4 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Roseland, LA
Afternoon
in Roseland on Wednesday
Local time
3:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
0 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued May 31 at 5:17PM CDT until May 31 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 11:00AM CDT until June 4 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
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
3h 51m 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 20.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 98% of the route on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 74.1 miles on US 425 before encountering any significant changes in road type. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, so expect mostly consistent cruising rather than frequent exits or urban merging.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 425 and US 98. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
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 20 significant decision points across 198.7 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: 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
465 ft59 ft
Total Climb
537 ft
Total Descent
482 ft
Highest Point
465 ft
~141.9 mi in
Elevation Range
407 ft
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 Roseland, 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.
Top landmarks
•Neville High School — high school in Louisiana, United States
•Bright-Lamkin-Easterling House — historic house in Monroe, Louisiana, United States
•Bynum House — historic house in Monroe, Louisiana, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 51m. Total distance: 198.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 51m 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.
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 Roseland, 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Roseland, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
