Montz, LA to Monroe, LA is 246 miles and takes about 4h 55m via Samuels Road and I 10, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, specifically Louisiana, making it a straightforward trip without crossing state lines. It's a mixed drive, meaning you'll encounter both highway speeds and potentially some local road navigation. With a recommended one-day duration and a relatively short driving time, this route is ideal for a quick journey between these two points. Consider this trip if you're looking for an uncomplicated drive through Louisiana.
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
123 miles from Montz, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Samuels Road
75.7 mi
1h 28m
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
63.2 mi
1h 12m
I 10
50.3 mi
55m
I 20
20.3 mi
22m
Natchez-Vidalia Bridge
10.6 mi
12m
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
6.2 mi
8m
Scenic Highway
3.8 mi
5m
East 5th Street
3.5 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Samuels Road
— 75.7 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montz, LA and Monroe, LA.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·38 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto LA 628
1.8 mi·4 min·River Road
3
Continue on LA 628
3.5 mi·8 min·East 5th Street
4
Turn right onto LA 3224
0.2 mi·39 sec·Hemlock Street
5
Turn left onto US 61
0.3 mi·28 sec·West Airline Highway
6
Turn right onto LA 3188
2.2 mi·3 min·Belle Terre Boulevard
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
8
Merge onto I 10
50 mi·55 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 110
6.2 mi·8 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Toward I 110 North: Downtown, Metro AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 110
2.6 mi·3 min·Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 8CToward US 61 North: NatchezUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on US 61
3.8 mi·5 min·Scenic Highway
13
Continue on US 61
76 mi·1 hr 28 min·Samuels Road
14
Turn left
0.1 mi·17 sec
15
Continue on US 84; US 425
2.4 mi·2 min·John R Junkin Drive
16
Continue on US 84; US 425
11 mi·12 min·Natchez-Vidalia Bridge
17
Continue on US 425; LA 15
63 mi·1 hr 12 min·E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
18
Turn left
0.3 mi·35 sec
19
Merge onto I 20
20 mi·22 min·I 20
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
21
Keep slight right at fork
303 ft·7 sec
22
Turn straight onto US 165 Business; LA 15
0.5 mi·45 sec·Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
23
Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15
0.3 mi·35 sec·North 6th Street
24
Turn left onto US 80; US 165 Business; LA 15
0.1 mi·17 sec·Louisville Avenue
25
Turn left
45 ft·5 sec
26
Turn right
38 ft·2 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given that this trip is recommended for a single day and takes under 5 hours, you have a good deal of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow ample daylight to complete the 246 miles. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel, especially before embarking on the 75.7-mile stretch on Samuels Road, as services might be more spaced out than on the interstate. The estimated fuel cost of $37 is a helpful budget point. While there's only one suggested stop, consider breaking up the drive with a brief pause for stretching or a quick snack to stay refreshed.
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 123 miles from Montz, LA, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.7 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 54 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monroe, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Montz, 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 Montz, LA
This is one driving day of about 246 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Montz, 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 Samuels Road for about 75.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 6 and 68.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6 mi into trip|~14m in|LA 3188 / Belle Terre Boulevard
Turn right onto LA 3188 / Belle Terre Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
8.1 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
5
9 mi into trip|~20m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
59.4 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway toward I 110 North: Downtown, Metro Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 110 North: Downtown, Metro Airport
8
68.2 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 61 North: Natchez
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8C
Toward US 61 North: Natchez
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.15 one way
$74.30 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$40.78
$81.57
premium
$4.56
$44.15
$88.31
diesel
$5.61
$54.31
$108.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.8
0
$25.83
$11.81
Efficient EV
61.5
0
$21.53
$9.84
EV Truck/SUV
98.4
1
$34.44
$15.74
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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
Montz, LA
Late night
in Montz on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Monroe, LA
Late night
in Monroe on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 55m 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.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Discover the roots of jazz at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, our park offers live performances, exhibits, and programs that celebrate the le...
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 220.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed driving experience, with about 33% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches like the 75.7 miles on Samuels Road, which might involve more local traffic and varied speed limits compared to the interstate. The drive progresses from what begins as potentially more local roads to the efficiency of interstate travel, likely I 10 for a significant portion. Expect a blend of environments as you transition between these road types, making it less of a monotonous highway cruise and more dynamic. The longest uninterrupted stretch on Samuels Road suggests a significant portion where you'll be navigating more directly through communities.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.7 mi on Samuels Road.
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 6 miles in near LA 3188 / Belle Terre Boulevard.
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 16 significant decision points across 246 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 6 miles (LA 3188 / Belle Terre Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 9 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Montz, LA to Monroe, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport 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 55m. Total distance: 246 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.7 miles on Samuels Road. 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 Monroe, 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 6 miles (LA 3188 / Belle Terre Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 9 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and Poverty Point National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Monroe, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
