Traveling from Oak Grove to Bossier City covers 263.2 miles and typically requires about 4 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. You should budget approximately $36 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Navigating this route involves a combination of US 61 North, Airline Highway, and Highland Road rather than a direct interstate path. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Southeast region of Louisiana, you will remain in a familiar geographic context throughout the drive.
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
131.4 miles from Oak Grove, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
186.3 mi
3h 10m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
I 10
14.9 mi
17m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
Airline Highway
3.3 mi
4m
Purple Heart Recipients Highway
1.5 mi
2m
Highland Road
1.5 mi
2m
Old Jefferson Highway
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 186.3 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Grove, LA and Bossier City, LA.
1
Start on LA 73
0.2 mi·20 sec·Old Jefferson Highway
2
Turn left onto LA 42
0.1 mi·14 sec·LA 42
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Keep slight left at fork
108 ft·3 sec
Toward US 61 North
4
Merge onto US 61; LA 42
3.3 mi·4 min·Airline Highway
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto LA 42
1.5 mi·2 min·Highland Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 10 West: Baton RougeUse the straight / right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 10
11 mi·12 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi·4 min·North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
14
Merge onto I 49; US 167
186 mi·3 hr 10 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 20: Dallas, Monroe
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: Monroe
17
Merge onto I 20
1.5 mi·2 min·Purple Heart Recipients Highway
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Traffic Street
19
Continue on Barksdale Boulevard
0.2 mi·36 sec·Barksdale Boulevard
20
Turn left onto Monroe Street
78 ft·2 sec·Monroe Street
21
Arrive at destination
Monroe Street
Trip Plan
Since you have a 4-hour and 2-minute drive ahead, try to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic congestion on these secondary roads. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and reset your focus. Keep your $36 fuel budget handy and consider topping off your tank before you leave Oak Grove to ensure you aren't hunting for stations on smaller roads. Because you aren't relying on major interstates, keep a close eye on your GPS to stay on track with the specific sequence of US 61 North, Airline Highway, and Highland Road. This flexibility allows you to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for daylight driving.
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 131.4 miles from Oak Grove, LA, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.3 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 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.4 miles or 2h 33m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bossier City, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oak Grove, 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 Oak Grove, LA
This is one driving day of about 262.8 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Oak Grove, 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 Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 186.3 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 20.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 61 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 61 North
6
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|US 61; LA 42 / Airline Highway
Merge onto US 61; LA 42 / Airline Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
5 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
7
20.2 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward LA 415: Lobdell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
7
20.5 mi into trip|~25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 415: Lobdell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.69 one way
$79.38 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$43.57
$87.14
premium
$4.56
$47.17
$94.34
diesel
$5.61
$58.02
$116.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.8
0
$27.59
$12.61
Efficient EV
65.7
0
$23.00
$10.51
EV Truck/SUV
105.1
1
$36.79
$16.82
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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Oak Grove, LA
Morning
in Oak Grove on Sunday
Local time
9:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bossier City, LA
Morning
in Bossier City on Sunday
Local time
9:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph11% chanceLive forecast
85°F
Alexandria, LA
131 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
9 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
4h 49m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous highway cruise, this route features zero percent highway travel, meaning you will navigate local thoroughfares for the duration of the 263.2-mile journey. You will not find any long, uninterrupted stretches, as the longest segment on US 61 North is 0 miles. This configuration creates a more technical driving experience that keeps you engaged with the road rather than settling into cruise control. Be prepared for frequent turns and a driving rhythm that shifts constantly as you transition through the various local roads.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.3 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 262.8 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 0.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.3 miles (US 61; LA 42 / Airline Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Bossier City is the second-largest city in Northern Louisiana and the largest city in Bossier Parish. Home to Barksdale Air Force Base, which hosts several Air Force commands, as well as the backup landing site of Air Force One, Bossier City's recent history revolves largely around the U.S. military. In addition, most of the casinos in the Ark-La-Tex (the three-states region where Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas intersect) are within the corporate limits of Bossier City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 262.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.3 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Bossier City, 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: at 0.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.3 miles (US 61; LA 42 / Airline Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Bossier City, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
