Stretching 83.6 miles across Southeast Louisiana, this drive between New Roads and Alexandria is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 36 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, it functions perfectly as a simple day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel to complete the journey comfortably. Since both cities are located within the same region, you won't experience major geographic shifts, but the transition provides a reliable connection between these two Louisiana locales. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that is well-suited for travelers looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.7 miles from New Roads, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
LA 1
80.9 mi
1h 55m
Parent Street
1.6 mi
3m
LA 10
0.9 mi
1m
Murray Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
LA 1
— 80.9 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Roads, LA and Alexandria, LA.
1
Start on LA 1 Bus; LA 10 Bus
1.6 mi·3 min·Parent Street
2
Turn left onto LA 10; LA 1 Bus
0.9 mi·1 min·LA 10; LA 1 Bus
3
Continue on LA 1; LA 10
81 mi·1 hr 55 min·LA 1; LA 10
4
Turn left onto Murray Street
366 ft·15 sec·Murray Street
5
Arrive at destination
Murray Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. You won't need to plan for any major rest stops, as the 83.6-mile distance is easily manageable in one go. If you are sensitive to heavy traffic, try to avoid peak commuting hours on local surface streets to keep your travel time closer to the 1 hour and 36-minute mark. Because the route relies entirely on local roads like Murray Street rather than major interstates, ensure your GPS is updated to navigate the various turns accurately. Keep your $11 fuel budget in mind, and consider fueling up before you leave New Roads to avoid unnecessary stops along the winding path to Alexandria.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.7 miles from New Roads, LA, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.9 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 18 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.7 miles or 1h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Roads, 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 Roads, LA
This is one driving day of about 83.5 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from New Roads, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on LA 1 for about 80.9 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
2 of 2
2 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 83.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|LA 10; LA 1 Bus
Turn left onto LA 10; LA 1 Bus
Navigation decision point
4
83.4 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|Murray Street
Turn left onto Murray Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.61 one way
$25.22 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$13.84
$27.69
premium
$4.56
$14.99
$29.97
diesel
$5.61
$18.44
$36.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.1
0
$8.77
$4.01
Efficient EV
20.9
0
$7.31
$3.34
EV Truck/SUV
33.4
0
$11.69
$5.34
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
New Roads, LA
Late night
in New Roads on Sunday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alexandria, LA
Late night
in Alexandria on Sunday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live 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
1 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
2h 1m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route contains no highway mileage. You will navigate local thoroughfares, including Murray Street, which serves as a central artery for your travel. Because the roads are primarily local in nature, there is no single long-stretch highway segment, meaning you should prepare for a more involved driving experience with frequent adjustments. The lack of highway share implies a slower, more deliberate pace compared to cross-country transit. Keep your focus sharp, as the winding nature of these local roads requires consistent attention to turns throughout the entire 1 hour and 36-minute duration.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
5 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.9 mi on LA 1.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on LA 1 and Parent Street. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near LA 10; LA 1 Bus.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from New Roads, LA to Alexandria, LA is easy. At 2h 1m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (LA 10; LA 1 Bus): Navigation decision point; at 83.4 miles (Murray Street): Navigation decision point.
Alexandria is a historic city, rich in Louisiana history. Civil War historic sites along with easy access to numerous historic locations and Kisatchie National Forest sites make it a city ideal for history enthusiasts and sportsmen.
The longest stretch is about 80.9 miles on LA 1. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (LA 10; LA 1 Bus): Navigation decision point; at 83.4 miles (Murray Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Alexandria, LA before heading back.
