Patterson to Monroe is 245.4 miles and takes about 4h 42m via Monroe Highway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Louisiana, traversing the Southeast region on a mix of highway and surface roads. It's a straightforward trip that should be manageable in a single day, making it a good option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without a lot of fuss. You'll spend a noticeable portion of your time on surface roads, so expect varied driving conditions.
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
122.7 miles from Patterson, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Monroe Highway
82.5 mi
1h 36m
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
76.1 mi
1h 17m
US 90
48.6 mi
52m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10.2 mi
11m
US 165
6.1 mi
7m
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
6 mi
9m
US 167
4.8 mi
7m
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
2.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Monroe Highway
— 82.5 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Patterson, LA and Monroe, LA.
1
Start on LA 182
0.1 mi·12 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
0.2 mi·52 sec·Railroad Avenue
3
Continue on Railroad Avenue
0.2 mi·37 sec·Railroad Avenue
4
Take the ramp
99 ft·2 sec
5
Merge onto US 90
49 mi·52 min·US 90
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·14 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi·24 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.4 mi·28 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·15 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1
0.2 mi·13 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
11
Take the exit onto LA 92-1
0.1 mi·21 sec·Young Street
12
Continue on LA 92-1
0.3 mi·38 sec·Young Street
13
Turn right onto St Etienne Road
1.0 mi·3 min·St Etienne Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
0.1 mi·22 sec·East Fairfield Drive
15
Turn left onto LA 3073
1.5 mi·2 min·Ambassador Caffery Parkway
16
Turn right onto South Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·South Morgan Avenue
17
Turn right onto US 90; LA 182
0.2 mi·13 sec·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
18
Keep slight left at fork
158 ft·7 sec
19
Turn left onto US 90; LA 182
2.5 mi·2 min·Southwest Evangeline Thruway
20
Continue on US 90; LA 182
6.0 mi·9 min·Southeast Evangeline Thruway
21
Continue on I 49; LA 182
8.8 mi·9 min·Veterans Memorial Expressway
22
Continue on I 49; US 167
76 mi·1 hr 17 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
23
Take the exit onto US 167
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
4.6 mi·6 min·US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward US 165: Alexandria, MonroeUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
337 ft·8 sec
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
27
Merge onto US 165
83 mi·1 hr 36 min·Monroe Highway
28
Turn straight onto US 165
6.1 mi·7 min·US 165
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
31
Merge onto I 20
1.0 mi·1 min·I 20
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
33
Keep slight right at fork
303 ft·7 sec
34
Turn straight onto US 165 Business; LA 15
0.5 mi·45 sec·Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
35
Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15
0.3 mi·35 sec·North 6th Street
36
Turn left onto US 80; US 165 Business; LA 15
0.1 mi·17 sec·Louisville Avenue
37
Turn left
45 ft·5 sec
38
Turn right
38 ft·2 sec
39
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4h 42m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to ensure you have ample daylight for the entire 245.4-mile trip. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $39, it’s easy to manage. The longest stretch without a major road change is 82.5 miles on Monroe Highway, so plan your breaks accordingly. Since this is a single-day route, you have flexibility, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, especially as you move onto the surface road sections where stations might be less frequent.
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 122.7 miles from Patterson, LA, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 54 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.7 miles or 2h 19m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monroe, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Patterson, 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 Patterson, LA
This is one driving day of about 245.4 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Patterson, 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 Monroe Highway for about 82.5 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 50.4 and 153.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
50.4 mi into trip|~55m in|US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
55.5 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
149 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expr...
7
153.6 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
6
153.8 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 165 North: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.07 one way
$68.13 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$38.11
$76.23
premium
$4.29
$41.44
$82.88
diesel
$4.80
$46.34
$92.67
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Southeast Evangeline Thruway
(6 mi)$0.42
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.5 mi)$0.17
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.6
0
$25.77
$11.78
Efficient EV
61.4
0
$21.47
$9.82
EV Truck/SUV
98.2
1
$34.36
$15.71
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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
Patterson, LA
Late night
in Patterson on Monday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
NW 0 to 5 mph6% 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
Monroe, LA
Late night
in Monroe on Monday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
W 0 to 5 mph2% 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
76°F
Alexandria, LA
123 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
3 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 42m 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?
About 30% of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll encounter 82.5 miles of uninterrupted cruising on Monroe Highway at its longest stretch. The remainder of the 245.4 miles involves surface roads, so be prepared for more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you transition. You'll notice the change from highway to surface roads as exits become less frequent and the surrounding environment shifts.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.5 mi on Monroe Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 50.4 miles in near US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway.
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 29 significant decision points across 245.4 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 50.4 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 55.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 149 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Monroe is the third-largest city in Northern Louisiana, largest city in Northeast Louisiana, and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish. It is also home to the University of Louisiana at Monroe and their sports team, the ULM Warhawks.
Founded as Fort Miro, it took on the name of Monroe after the paddle-wheeler James Monroe that came to town in the early 19th century, and, by extrapolation, the former president James Monroe. An interesting bit of trivia is that Monroe was once the headquarters of Delta Airlines, which got its start as the crop dusting operation Delta Dusters in nearby Tallulah.
Slathered down with highly religious views and the effects of years of racial inequality, Monroe can have a rather gritty appearance imbued with a fragrant aroma from its paper mill, but, well, take heart, Wikivoyage traveler.
Top landmarks
•Neville High School — high school in Louisiana, United States
•Bright-Lamkin-Easterling House — historic house in Monroe, Louisiana, United States
•Bynum House — historic house in Monroe, Louisiana, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 42m. Total distance: 245.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.5 miles on Monroe Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.59 in tolls one way, starting with Southeast Evangeline Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Monroe, 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 50.4 miles (US 90; LA 92-1 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 55.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 149 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Monroe, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
