New Orleans to Swartz is 263.9 miles and takes about 5h 12m via I 10 and Samuels Road, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on highways, making it a good option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this route for its simplicity and manageable duration.
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 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
78.5 mi
1h 29m
Samuels Road
75.7 mi
1h 28m
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
63.2 mi
1h 12m
I 20
13.2 mi
14m
Natchez-Vidalia Bridge
10.6 mi
12m
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
6.2 mi
8m
Scenic Highway
3.8 mi
5m
LA 594
3.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 78.5 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Orleans, LA and Swartz, 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
79 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
Continue on I 110
2.6 mi·3 min·Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 8CToward US 61 North: NatchezUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on US 61
3.8 mi·5 min·Scenic Highway
10
Continue on US 61
76 mi·1 hr 28 min·Samuels Road
11
Turn left
0.1 mi·17 sec
12
Continue on US 84; US 425
2.4 mi·2 min·John R Junkin Drive
13
Continue on US 84; US 425
11 mi·12 min·Natchez-Vidalia Bridge
14
Continue on US 425; LA 15
63 mi·1 hr 12 min·E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
15
Turn left
0.3 mi·35 sec
16
Merge onto I 20
13 mi·14 min·I 20
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Russell Sage Wildlife Area
18
Keep slight right at fork
274 ft·6 sec
Toward Millhaven
19
Turn straight onto Russell Sage Road
0.3 mi·28 sec·Russell Sage Road
20
Continue on LA 594
3.3 mi·5 min·LA 594
21
Enter roundabout onto LA 594
121 ft·2 sec·Highway 594
22
Continue on LA 594
1.8 mi·3 min·Highway 594
23
At end of road, turn right onto Swartz School Road
74 ft·3 sec·Swartz School Road
24
Arrive at destination
Swartz School Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 12m estimated drive time, leaving New Orleans in the morning should allow you to reach Swartz with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you take breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before departing New Orleans, as the $39 fuel cost is an estimate. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 78.5 miles on I 10, so plan your last fuel stop accordingly before you begin 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 132 miles from New Orleans, LA, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.5 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 58 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132 miles or 2h 36m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Swartz, 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 263.9 miles and 5h 12m.
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 10 for about 78.5 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 258.5 — 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
5
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
79.7 mi into trip|~1h 32m 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
88.5 mi into trip|~1h 44m 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
5
258.5 mi into trip|~5h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Millhaven
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Millhaven
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.08 one way
$82.16 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.29
$90.58
premium
$4.71
$48.95
$97.89
diesel
$6.18
$64.20
$128.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.2
0
$27.71
$12.67
Efficient EV
66
0
$23.09
$10.56
EV Truck/SUV
105.6
1
$36.95
$16.89
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
New Orleans, LA
Late night
in New Orleans on Tuesday
Local time
12:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Swartz, LA
Late night
in Swartz on Tuesday
Local time
12:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
E 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
17 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 12m 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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 245.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 40% of this 263.9-mile drive is on highways. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway driving for 78.5 miles on I 10. The route transitions from highway cruising to surface roads, specifically Samuels Road and E. E. Wallace Boulevard North, as you approach your destination. Expect a mix of faster highway speeds and potentially more local traffic as you get closer to Swartz.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.5 mi on I 10.
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 early in the drive near Loyola Avenue.
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 13 significant decision points across 263.9 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 1.2 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.7 miles (I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
355 ft0 ft
Total Climb
388 ft
Total Descent
295 ft
Highest Point
355 ft
~132 mi in
Elevation Range
355 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 Swartz, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.
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 — 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 5h 12m. Total distance: 263.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.5 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Swartz, 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Loyola Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.7 miles (I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Swartz, LA before the return drive.
