Morgan City to Monroe is 251.5 miles and takes about 4h 48m via Monroe Highway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, connecting the Southeast region to itself. The drive offers a mixed experience of highway and surface roads, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. You'll find the fuel cost to be quite reasonable for the distance covered. Consider this route if you're looking for a practical and efficient way to travel between these two points within the state.
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
125.7 miles from Morgan City, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Monroe Highway
82.5 mi
1h 36m
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
76.1 mi
1h 17m
US 90
55 mi
1h
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10.2 mi
11m
US 165
6.1 mi
7m
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
6 mi
9m
US 167
4.8 mi
7m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Monroe Highway
— 82.5 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morgan City, LA and Monroe, 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
76 mi·1 hr 17 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
23
Take the exit onto US 167
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
4.6 mi·6 min·US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward US 165: Alexandria, MonroeUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
337 ft·8 sec
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
27
Merge onto US 165
83 mi·1 hr 36 min·Monroe Highway
28
Turn straight onto US 165
6.1 mi·7 min·US 165
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
31
Merge onto I 20
1.0 mi·1 min·I 20
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
33
Keep slight right at fork
303 ft·7 sec
34
Turn straight onto US 165 Business; LA 15
0.5 mi·45 sec·Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
35
Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15
0.3 mi·35 sec·North 6th Street
36
Turn left onto US 80; US 165 Business; LA 15
0.1 mi·17 sec·Louisville Avenue
37
Turn left
45 ft·5 sec
38
Turn right
38 ft·2 sec
39
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4h 48m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and arrive well before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches like the 82.5-mile segment on Monroe Highway. The estimated fuel cost of $37 suggests planning for one fill-up. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be spontaneous with your timing.
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 125.7 miles from Morgan City, LA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 55 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.7 miles or 2h 22m 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 54m
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 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 251.5 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 Monroe Highway for about 82.5 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 159.8 — 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
6
155.1 mi into trip|~2h 52m in|US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expr...
7
159.7 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
6
159.8 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 165 North: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.50 one way
$76.99 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$42.64
$85.27
premium
$4.65
$46.03
$92.06
diesel
$6.28
$62.14
$124.28
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
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.5
0
$26.41
$12.07
Efficient EV
62.9
0
$22.01
$10.06
EV Truck/SUV
100.6
1
$35.21
$16.10
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Morgan City, LA
Late night
in Morgan City on Friday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Monroe, LA
Late night
in Monroe on Friday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
E 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
49°F
Alexandria, LA
126 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 48m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a mix of highway and surface roads, with 31% of the drive on highways. You'll experience an 82.5-mile stretch on Monroe Highway, which is the longest continuous segment. Expect the transition from highway to surface roads to occur at some point along the way. Given the profile, be prepared for a blend of faster cruising and more local traffic conditions.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.5 mi on Monroe Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 early in the drive.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 251.5 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: 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 155.1 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
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 4h 48m. Total distance: 251.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.5 miles on Monroe 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 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: 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 155.1 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Monroe, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
