Prien to Metairie Terrace is 205.5 miles and takes about 3h 57m via I 10, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Louisiana the entire time, starting in the Southeast region and ending in the same area. Given its predominantly highway nature and short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on Interstate 10, making it a straightforward drive if you're looking for efficiency.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
102.7 miles from Prien, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
192.1 mi
3h 34m
1st Lieutenant Douglas B Fournet Memorial Parkway
8.2 mi
10m
West Metairie Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Clearview Parkway
1 mi
2m
West Prien Lake Road
0.5 mi
1m
Henderson Bayou Road
0.5 mi
1m
Lock Lane
0.3 mi
1m
Mayflower Drive
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 192.1 mi, about 3h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prien, LA and Metairie Terrace, LA.
1
Start on Lock Lane
0.3 mi·1 min·Lock Lane
2
Turn right onto Henderson Bayou Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Henderson Bayou Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto West Prien Lake Road
0.5 mi·1 min·West Prien Lake Road
4
Enter roundabout onto Cove Lane
128 ft·3 sec·Cove Lane
5
Continue on Cove Lane
316 ft·10 sec·Cove Lane
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 210 East: Lafayette
7
Merge onto I 210
8.2 mi·10 min·1st Lieutenant Douglas B Fournet Memorial Parkway
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·56 sec
Toward I 10 East: Lafayette
9
Merge onto I 10
192 mi·3 hr 34 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Exit 226Toward Clearview Parkway, Huey Long BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Clearview Parkway South, Huey Long BridgeUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto LA 3152
1.0 mi·2 min·Clearview Parkway
13
Turn right onto West Metairie Avenue
253 ft·6 sec·West Metairie Avenue
14
Continue on West Metairie Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·West Metairie Avenue
15
Turn right onto Division Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·Division Street
16
At end of road, turn left onto Mayflower Drive
0.1 mi·28 sec·Mayflower Drive
17
Arrive at destination
Mayflower Drive
Trip Plan
For this 3h 57m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one stop recommended over 205.5 miles, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the long 192.1-mile stretch on I 10, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. The estimated fuel cost of $32 should help you budget, but it's always wise to have a buffer. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you can easily adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 102.7 miles from Prien, LA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 192.1 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 45 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.7 miles or 1h 59m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Metairie Terrace, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Prien, 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 Prien, LA
This is one driving day of about 205.5 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Prien, 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 I 10 for about 192.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 10 and 205.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
10 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: Lafayette
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 10 East: Lafayette
5
10.6 mi into trip|~16m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
202.7 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward Clearview Parkway, Huey Long Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 226
Toward Clearview Parkway, Huey Long Bridge
8
202.9 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Clearview Parkway South, Huey Long Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Clearview Parkway South, Huey Long Bridg...
5
205.4 mi into trip|~3h 57m in|Mayflower Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Mayflower Drive
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.53 one way
$57.05 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$31.92
$63.83
premium
$4.29
$34.70
$69.40
diesel
$4.80
$38.80
$77.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.58
$9.86
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$17.98
$8.22
EV Truck/SUV
82.2
1
$28.77
$13.15
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Prien, LA
Morning
in Prien on Sunday
Local time
6:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 8:15PM CDT until July 19 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:12AM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Destination
Metairie Terrace, LA
Morning
in Metairie Terrace on Sunday
Local time
6:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 8:15PM CDT until July 19 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:12AM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
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
4 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
3h 57m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 205.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 98% of the 205.5 miles on major interstates like I 10. You'll experience a long stretch of 192.1 miles on I 10 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate the urban areas leading into Metairie Terrace.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 192.1 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and 1st Lieutenant Douglas B Fournet Memorial Parkway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 205.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 10 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 10.6 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 205.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 192.1 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Metairie Terrace, 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 10.6 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Metairie Terrace, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
