Origin
Morgan City, LA
Late night in Morgan City on Sunday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Morgan City, LA to Bossier City, LA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 2m
Distance
279.5 mi
450 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 49m
★
6 AM
5h 3m
8 AM
5h 30m
10 AM
5h 12m
12 PM
5h 10m
3 PM
5h 14m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Morgan City, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Bossier City, LA
Stephen Leonardi
Trip Overview
This 279.5-mile journey from Morgan City to Bossier City, Louisiana, is a single-day adventure taking approximately 5 hours and 2 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate local roads, with about 24% of the drive on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $42, this trip is budget-friendly for a day trip. The route traverses the Southeast region of Louisiana, offering a direct connection between these two points. It's designed for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
139.8 miles from Morgan City, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 197.8 mi | 3h 22m |
| US 90 | 55 mi | 1h |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| Southeast Evangeline Thruway | 6 mi | 9m |
| Southwest Evangeline Thruway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| South Morgan Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Purple Heart Recipients Highway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Ambassador Caffery Parkway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 197.8 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morgan City, LA and Bossier City, LA.
1
Start on LA 182
107 ft
·
2 sec
·
Brashear Avenue
2
Keep slight left at fork
61 ft
·
2 sec
3
Turn left onto Federal Avenue
98 ft
·
4 sec
·
Federal Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
5
Merge onto US 90
55 mi
·
1 hr
·
US 90
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
11
Take the exit onto LA 92-1
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Young Street
12
Continue on LA 92-1
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Young Street
13
Turn right onto St Etienne Road
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
St Etienne Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
East Fairfield Drive
15
Turn left onto LA 3073
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Ambassador Caffery Parkway
16
Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Morgan Avenue
17
Turn right onto US 90; LA 182
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
18
Keep slight left at fork
158 ft
·
7 sec
19
Turn left onto US 90; LA 182
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
20
Continue on US 90; LA 182
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
21
Continue on I 49; LA 182
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Veterans Memorial Expressway
22
Continue on I 49; US 167
198 mi
·
3 hr 22 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
25
Merge onto I 20
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Purple Heart Recipients Highway
26
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Traffic Street
27
Continue on Barksdale Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Barksdale Boulevard
28
Turn left onto Monroe Street
78 ft
·
2 sec
·
Monroe Street
29
Arrive at destination
Monroe Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive from Morgan City in the morning is advisable to allow ample time for any unexpected delays or a brief stop. With just one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $42, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Pay attention to the "turn-heavy" nature of the route, especially when navigating the local roads. A practical tip for this drive is to ensure your GPS is fully charged or you have a reliable navigation system, as frequent turns on local roads can make it easy to miss a junction. The longest stretch is nearly 200 miles, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly before embarking on that segment.
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 139.8 miles from Morgan City, LA, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.8 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 61 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.8 miles or 2h 37m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bossier City, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Morgan City, 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 Morgan City, LA
This is one driving day of about 279.5 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Morgan City, 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 Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 197.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.8 miles from Morgan City, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 197.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 276.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
56.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
61.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
276.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
5
276.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 20 East: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.21 one way
$84.42 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $46.34 | $92.68 |
| premium | $4.56 | $50.17 | $100.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.71 | $123.42 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
(6 mi)
$0.42
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.5 mi)
$0.17
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
$42
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.9 | 1 | $29.35 | $13.42 |
| Efficient EV | 69.9 | 0 | $24.46 | $11.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.8 | 1 | $39.13 | $17.89 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
Bossier City, LA
Late night in Bossier City on Sunday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Broussard, LA
140 mi in
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
14 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
5h 2m 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.
Cane River Creole National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Cane River region is home to a unique culture; the Creoles. Generations of the same families of workers, enslaved and tenant, and owners lived on these lands for over 200 years. The park tells the...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 202.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for much of this 279.5-mile trip. While 24% of the route utilizes highways, the majority will be on local roads, requiring your attention with frequent turns. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 197.8 miles along Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, providing a significant segment on a single road. The Veterans Memorial Expressway and US 90 also feature in your journey. This profile suggests a drive that demands engagement rather than a passive interstate cruise.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 197.8 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 22 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 279.5 miles you will encounter 22 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 56.4 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 61.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Starting in Morgan City, LA
Full guide →Morgan City is a town of 11,000 people (2019) in Coastal Acadiana that revolves around shrimp and petroleum, so much so that it's major annual event is the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival.
Arriving in Bossier City, LA
Full guide →Bossier City is the second-largest city in Northern Louisiana and the largest city in Bossier Parish. Home to Barksdale Air Force Base, which hosts several Air Force commands, as well as the backup landing site of Air Force One, Bossier City's recent history revolves largely around the U.S. military. In addition, most of the casinos in the Ark-La-Tex (the three-states region where Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas intersect) are within the corporate limits of Bossier City.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 2m. Total distance: 279.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 197.8 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.59 in tolls one way, starting with Southeast 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 Bossier City, 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: near the start: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 56.4 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 61.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bossier City, LA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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