Origin
New Iberia, LA
Morning in New Iberia on Sunday
Local time
7:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h
Distance
204.6 mi
329 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Iberia, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Ouachita Parish, LA
Vika Glitter
New Iberia to Ouachita Parish is 204.6 miles and takes about 4 hours via Monroe Highway, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a route with frequent turns and a focus on local roads, rather than long stretches of interstate. It's a manageable distance for a single day's travel, allowing for a relaxed pace. Consider this trip if you prefer a more varied driving experience over a straightforward highway journey.
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
102.3 miles from New Iberia, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Monroe Highway | 82.5 mi | 1h 36m |
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 76.1 mi | 1h 17m |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| US 165 Business | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| Southeast Evangeline Thruway | 6 mi | 9m |
| Old Spanish Trail Highway South | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| US 167 | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| Old Spanish Trail | 4.1 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between New Iberia, LA and Ouachita Parish, LA.
Start on Julia Street
Turn left onto LA 86; LA 182
Continue on LA 182
Turn straight onto LA 182
Continue on LA 182
Continue on LA 182
Take the ramp onto LA 182
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182
Continue on US 90; LA 182
Continue on I 49; LA 182
Continue on I 49; US 167
Take the exit onto US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 165
Turn straight onto US 165 Business
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto LA 34
Continue on LA 34
Continue on LA 34
Arrive at destination
Given the 4-hour estimated duration and 204.6-mile length, a single-day trip is entirely feasible, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the drive and handle the frequent turns comfortably. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $31, you can plan your stops strategically, perhaps for a quick meal or to stretch your legs. Pay attention to road signs, especially as you transition onto local roads, to ensure you stay on track through the more turn-heavy segments. A good tip is to familiarize yourself with the route's turning patterns before you depart to minimize any surprises.
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.
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 45 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.3 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ouachita Parish, LA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving New Iberia, 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 New Iberia, LA
This is one driving day of about 204.6 miles and 4h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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.
A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 102.3 miles from New Iberia, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Monroe Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 107.1 and 202.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
Keep slight right at fork toward US 165 North: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight left at fork toward LA 34 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 34 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Regular Gas
$30.90 one way
$61.80 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $33.92 | $67.84 |
| premium | $4.56 | $36.72 | $73.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $45.17 | $90.35 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.60
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
$31
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.4 | 0 | $21.48 | $9.82 |
| Efficient EV | 51.2 | 0 | $17.90 | $8.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.8 | 1 | $28.64 | $13.09 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in New Iberia on Sunday
Local time
7:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Ouachita Parish on Sunday
Local time
7:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter a good number of directional changes. With only an 11% highway share, most of your journey will be on local roads, offering a more grounded perspective of the landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 82.5 miles on Monroe Highway, providing a period of more consistent travel before the turns pick up again. The Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and Veterans Memorial Expressway also feature in this drive. You'll likely experience a dynamic road personality, shifting between quicker sections and more intricate local navigation.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 107.1 miles in near US 167.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 204.6 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 107.1 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from New Iberia, LA to Ouachita Parish, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Monroe along the way.
Monroe
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h. Total distance: 204.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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