New Orleans to Delhi is 264 miles and takes about 4h 54m via I-55, I-20, and I-10, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Louisiana, beginning in the Southeast region and ending in the same area. The route is almost entirely highway driving, making it a straightforward trip if you're looking for efficiency. It's a good option for a single-day excursion, especially if you're starting your journey from New Orleans.
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
132 miles from New Orleans, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
156.2 mi
2h 47m
I 20
79.8 mi
1h 28m
I 10
24.1 mi
30m
Broadway Street
0.9 mi
1m
Poydras Street
0.6 mi
1m
Loyola Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
East 1st Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Charter Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 156.2 mi, about 2h 47m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,259 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,506
Quietest
2 AM
~114 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 New Orleans, LA and Delhi, LA.
1
Start on Tulane Avenue
40 ft·3 sec·Tulane Avenue
2
Turn right onto Loyola Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Loyola Avenue
3
Turn right onto Poydras Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Poydras Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
5
Merge onto I 10
24 mi·30 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 55 North: HammondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 55; US 51
156 mi·2 hr 47 min·I 55; US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
0.2 mi·13 sec·I 55
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 92CToward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
11
Merge onto I 20; US 49
39 mi·43 min·I 20; US 49
12
Merge onto I 20; US 61; US 80
3.8 mi·4 min·I 20; US 61; US 80
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 80
37 mi·40 min·I 20; US 80
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward Winnsboro, Delhi
15
Keep slight right at fork
292 ft·7 sec
Toward Delhi
16
Turn right onto LA 17
0.9 mi·1 min·Broadway Street
17
Turn left onto US 80
353 ft·8 sec·East 1st Street
18
Turn right onto Charter Street
187 ft·8 sec·Charter Street
19
Arrive at destination
Charter Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour, 54-minute drive, consider leaving New Orleans in the morning to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and 99% highway driving, pacing isn't a major concern, but it's wise to fuel up before you leave, as gas stations can become less frequent on stretches of I-55. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when you're ready, but aim to arrive in Delhi with ample time before dark. Keep an eye out for the transition points between I-55, I-20, and I-10, as these are key navigation moments.
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 132 miles from New Orleans, LA, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.2 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 58 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132 miles or 2h 28m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Delhi, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Orleans, 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 Orleans, LA
This is one driving day of about 264 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from New Orleans, 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 I 55 for about 156.2 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 0 and 262.9 — 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|Loyola Avenue
Turn right onto Loyola Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
25.3 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Hammond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Hammond
7
182.5 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 92C
Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo...
7
182.7 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo...
6
262.9 mi into trip|~4h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Delhi
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Delhi
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.65 one way
$73.30 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$41.00
$82.01
premium
$4.29
$44.58
$89.16
diesel
$4.80
$49.85
$99.70
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: 92.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.2
0
$27.72
$12.67
Efficient EV
66
0
$23.10
$10.56
EV Truck/SUV
105.6
1
$36.96
$16.90
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
New Orleans, LA
Late night
in New Orleans on Sunday
Local time
3:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Destination
Delhi, LA
Late night
in Delhi on Sunday
Local time
3:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:20AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
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
4 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
4h 54m 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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 264
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a 99% highway drive, so expect continuous travel on limited-access roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 156.2 miles on I-55, meaning extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads, if any, will be minimal and close to your destination. You'll notice the dense exit ramps characteristic of major interstate travel for most of this trip.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 156.2 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Loyola Avenue.
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 16 significant decision points across 264 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 (Loyola Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 25.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
492 ft0 ft
Total Climb
577 ft
Total Descent
485 ft
Highest Point
492 ft
~132 mi in
Elevation Range
492 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 New Orleans, LA to Delhi, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Yazoo City along the way.
Yazoo City
182.5 mi in|~3h 22m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Way down yonder in New Orleans (French: La Nouvelle-Orléans), you'll find the roots of jazz and a blossoming culture that is unlike anything else on Earth. Here, the laid-back atmosphere of the riverfront South has mixed with French sophistication, Spanish style, and African-American energy to create something greater than the sum of its parts. "NOLA" is the largest city in Louisiana and one of the top tourist destinations in the United States.
"Laissez les bons temps rouler" is what they say here in the Big Easy, and you too can "let the good times roll" with a cool stroll down Bourbon Street, a hot Dixieland band, and even hotter Creole cuisine. Mardi Gras may be the city's calling card, but that's just one day out of the hot and muggy year in New Orleans.
Go ahead, take a riverboat down the Mississippi, munch on some beignets, and watch the Saints go marchin' in.
Top landmarks
•Tulane University of Louisiana — private research university in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
•Caesars Superdome — domed stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
•French Quarter — neighborhood of and historic district in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 264 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 156.2 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Delhi, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Loyola Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 25.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Delhi, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
