This 92.2-mile drive from Patterson to New Orleans, Louisiana, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 49 minutes. With 97% of the route on highways, it's designed for efficient travel, making it an ideal day trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, which is quite manageable for such a short distance. You'll be primarily using US 90 and I-310 before merging onto I-10 for the final approach into New Orleans. Given the short duration and minimal stops recommended, this trip is all about getting you to your destination quickly and affordably within the Southeast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.1 miles from Patterson, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 90
64.9 mi
1h 14m
I 310
11.1 mi
12m
I 10
10.1 mi
12m
Pontchartrain Expressway
3.5 mi
4m
Main Street
0.6 mi
1m
Tulane Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
South Claiborne Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Bernard Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 90
— 64.9 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Patterson, LA and New Orleans, LA.
1
Start on LA 182
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Turn right onto Bernard Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·Bernard Street
3
Turn right onto US 90
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 90
4
Take the exit
156 ft·9 sec
5
Turn left onto US 90
65 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 310 North, LA 3127 North: Donaldsonville, New Orleans
7
Continue on I 310
11 mi·12 min·I 310
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 10 East: New Orleans
9
Merge onto I 10
9.6 mi·11 min·I 10
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
3.5 mi·4 min·Pontchartrain Expressway
Toward New Orleans, Business DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 234BToward Poydras Street, SuperdomeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Turn left onto South Claiborne Avenue
0.3 mi·40 sec·South Claiborne Avenue
14
Turn right onto Tulane Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Tulane Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
Tulane Avenue
Trip Plan
For this efficient 1 hour and 49-minute drive, flexibility is your greatest asset. You can depart Patterson, LA, at any time that suits your schedule, as the 92.2-mile journey is short enough to avoid needing an overnight stop. The estimated fuel cost of $14 means you likely won't need extensive refueling breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 64.9 miles on US 90, to ensure a smooth arrival in New Orleans. Since it's a highway-focused route, plan for minimal stops and focus on reaching your destination without unnecessary delays.
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 46.1 miles from Patterson, LA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.9 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 20 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.1 miles or 54m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Orleans, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Patterson, LA
This is one driving day of about 92.2 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Patterson, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 90 for about 64.9 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
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 91.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|US 90
Turn left onto US 90
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
77 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: New Orleans
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1A
Toward I 10 East: New Orleans
8
87.3 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway toward New Orleans, Business District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward New Orleans, Business District
6
90.8 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
91.3 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 234B
Toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.92 one way
$27.85 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$15.29
$30.57
premium
$4.56
$16.55
$33.10
diesel
$5.61
$20.36
$40.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.7
0
$9.68
$4.43
Efficient EV
23.1
0
$8.07
$3.69
EV Truck/SUV
36.9
0
$12.91
$5.90
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 15, 2026
Origin
Patterson, LA
Afternoon
in Patterson on Sunday
Local time
12:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Orleans, LA
Afternoon
in New Orleans on Sunday
Local time
12:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
14 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
1h 49m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 92.2-mile route, with 97% of your travel time spent on major roads like US 90 and I-10. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a 64.9-mile segment on US 90, offering a consistent pace. While largely highway-focused, the transition between these main arteries might offer brief glimpses of the surrounding Louisiana landscape. The drive is characterized by its efficiency, prioritizing speed and directness over varied scenery, allowing you to cover ground smoothly.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.9 mi on US 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 90 and I 310. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near US 90.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 92.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (US 90): Lane positioning matters here; at 77 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 87.3 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
13 ft-2 ft
Total Climb
21 ft
Total Descent
29 ft
Highest Point
13 ft
~32.9 mi in
Elevation Range
15 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 Patterson, LA to New Orleans, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Business District 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 92.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.9 miles on US 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 New Orleans, LA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (US 90): Lane positioning matters here; at 77 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 87.3 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at New Orleans, LA before heading back.
