Paradis, LA to Shreveport, LA is 318.5 miles and takes about 5h 59m via Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, State Route 1, and I 10, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Southeast region of Louisiana to its northwestern edge, covering a significant portion of the state in a single day. Expect a mixed drive that blends highway speeds with more local road travel, offering a practical way to cover the distance. It's a straightforward journey that doesn't require an overnight stay, making it ideal for a quick transit or a day trip if you start early.
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
159.3 miles from Paradis, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m 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
35.4 mi
39m
3127
19.6 mi
25m
West Airline Highway
8.9 mi
10m
LA 3213
6.8 mi
9m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
US Highway 90
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 186.3 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paradis, LA and Shreveport, LA.
1
Start on Early Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Early Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 90
2.2 mi·3 min·US Highway 90
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 310 North, LA 3127 North: Donaldsonville, New Orleans
4
Continue on I 310
1.3 mi·1 min·I 310
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 10Toward LA 3127 North: Donadlsonville
6
Continue on LA 3127
20 mi·25 min·LA 3127
7
Turn right onto LA 3213
6.8 mi·9 min·LA 3213
8
Turn left onto US 61
8.9 mi·10 min·West Airline Highway
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·58 sec
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
10
Merge onto I 10
31 mi·34 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi·4 min·North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
17
Merge onto I 49; US 167
186 mi·3 hr 10 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
19
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Pete Harris Drive
20
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi·2 min·Caddo Street
21
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi·56 sec·Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
22
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft·1 sec·River Parkway
23
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 59m estimated drive time, starting your trip from Paradis in the morning will allow you to reach Shreveport with daylight to spare. While the route has only one recommended stop, the 318.5-mile distance means you might want to plan for a brief break midway, especially during the 186.3-mile stretch on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $48, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer segments. This is a manageable one-day drive, so you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed.
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 159.3 miles from Paradis, LA, or about 3h 13m 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 70 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.3 miles or 3h 13m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shreveport, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Paradis, 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 Paradis, LA
This is one driving day of about 318.5 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Paradis, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 315.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 310 North, LA 3127 North: Donaldsonville, New Orleans
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 310 North, LA 3127 North: Donaldsonvil...
6
72 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
75.9 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
76.2 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
6
315.6 mi into trip|~5h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.10 one way
$96.20 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$52.80
$105.61
premium
$4.56
$57.17
$114.33
diesel
$5.61
$70.32
$140.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.6
1
$33.44
$15.29
Efficient EV
79.6
0
$27.87
$12.74
EV Truck/SUV
127.4
1
$44.59
$20.38
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Paradis, LA
Evening
in Paradis on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Shreveport, LA
Evening
in Shreveport on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Broussard, LA
159 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
20 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
5h 59m 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.
Cane River Creole National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Cane River region is home to a unique culture; the Creoles. Generations of the same families of workers, enslaved and tenant, and owners lived on these lands for over 200 years. The park tells the...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 241.6
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive presents a mixed profile, with 30% of the route on highways. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 186.3 miles on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, which forms the longest uninterrupted segment of your journey. As you progress, the drive transitions, incorporating State Route 1 and eventually I 10, offering varied driving conditions. This means you'll encounter both faster-paced highway sections and potentially more varied scenery and traffic as you navigate through different parts of Louisiana.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 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
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 around 2.6 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 16 significant decision points across 318.5 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 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Shreveport is the largest city in Northern Louisiana, part of the twin city metro of Shreveport-Bossier City, and is considered the principal city in the three-state region known as the "Ark-La-Tex." It has about 188,000 residents (2019), and is in the area of the state designated as the Sportsman's Paradise. Many lakes and rivers are in the area and offer recreational activities. The surrounding area is also a contrast from points in southern Louisiana, in that the landscape is marked by rolling hills and pine forests, being an extension of the Texas region known as the Piney Woods.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 59m. Total distance: 318.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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 Shreveport, 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 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Shreveport, LA before the return drive.
