Origin
Plaquemine, LA
Late night in Plaquemine on Sunday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Plaquemine, LA to New Orleans, LA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
86 mi
138 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 36m
★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
1h 59m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plaquemine, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 86-mile drive from Plaquemine to New Orleans, Louisiana, can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 43 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll be spending 93% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing I-10 and LA 70. With an estimated fuel cost of around $13, this route is budget-friendly. The journey takes you through the Southeast region of Louisiana, offering a direct path to your destination without the need for an overnight stop. It’s a practical option for getting 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
43 miles from Plaquemine, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 47.8 mi | 55m |
| Highway 1 | 18.5 mi | 21m |
| LA 70 | 10 mi | 12m |
| Pontchartrain Expressway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Division Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Eden Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| West 10th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Marchand Drive | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 47.8 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plaquemine, LA and New Orleans, LA.
1
Start on Plaquemine Street
4 ft
·
4 sec
·
Plaquemine Street
2
Turn left onto LA 1
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Eden Street
3
Continue on LA 1
19 mi
·
21 min
·
Highway 1
4
Continue on LA 1
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 10th Street
5
Continue on LA 3089
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Albert Street
6
Continue on LA 3089
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
Marchand Drive
7
Continue on LA 3089
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Division Street
8
Continue on LA 70
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
LA 70
9
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 70
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
LA 70
10
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 70
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
LA 70
11
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 70
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Crawford Leblanc Boulevard
12
Merge onto LA 22
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
LA 22
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 10 East: New Orleans
14
Merge onto I 10
47 mi
·
54 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Pontchartrain Expressway
Toward New Orleans, Business District
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 234B
Toward Poydras Street, Superdome
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Turn left onto South Claiborne Avenue
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
South Claiborne Avenue
19
Turn right onto Tulane Avenue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Tulane Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Tulane Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 43-minute duration, this 86-mile trip offers plenty of flexibility for departure times. Leaving Plaquemine in the morning will get you to New Orleans with ample time to explore. With a modest fuel cost of $13, you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops, though it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay attention to traffic conditions as you approach New Orleans, especially if traveling during peak hours. A key tip for this route is to stay on I-10 East once you join it, as it provides the most direct path into the city.
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 43 miles from Plaquemine, LA, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.8 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43 miles or 52m 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 Plaquemine, LA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Plaquemine, LA
This is one driving day of about 86 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Plaquemine, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 47.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43 miles from Plaquemine, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 24.9 and 85.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
24.9 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
LA 70
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
33.8 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
81.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m 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
84.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m 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
85.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m 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
$12.99 one way
$25.98 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $14.26 | $28.52 |
| premium | $4.56 | $15.44 | $30.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.99 | $37.98 |
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: 30.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.8 | 0 | $9.03 | $4.13 |
| Efficient EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.52 | $3.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.04 | $5.50 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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.
Destination
New Orleans, LA
Late night in New Orleans on Sunday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
S 10 mph
0% chance
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 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 43m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 86
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 93% of the mileage on major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 47.8 miles on I-10 without needing to exit, allowing for consistent progress. While predominantly highway, the route also incorporates Highway 1 and LA 70, offering some variation in the driving experience. This character means you'll likely encounter steady speeds for much of the journey, with periods of faster travel on the interstate.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.8 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Highway 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.9 miles in near LA 70.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86 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 24.9 miles (LA 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 33.8 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.1 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Plaquemine, LA to New Orleans, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Business District along the way.
Business District
81.1 mi in
|
~1h 36m
|
via I 10
About the Cities
Arriving in New Orleans, LA
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 86 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.8 miles on I 10. 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 24.9 miles (LA 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 33.8 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.1 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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