Red Chute, LA to Marrero, LA is 342.9 miles and takes about 6h 23m via Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and I 10, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a solid choice for a single-day drive, primarily using major highways but with a significant portion on surface roads. You'll want to be prepared for a mix of driving conditions throughout the approximately 6-hour trip.
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
171.5 miles from Red Chute, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
186.4 mi
3h 10m
I 10
78.6 mi
1h 29m
US 190
49.5 mi
1h 3m
Purple Heart Recipients Highway
7.9 mi
9m
Pontchartrain Expressway
5.9 mi
6m
Westbank Expressway
5.6 mi
7m
LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi
5m
Highway 80
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 186.4 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Chute, LA and Marrero, LA.
1
Start on US 79; US 80
0.7 mi·1 min·Highway 80
2
Continue on US 79; US 80
0.7 mi·1 min·East Texas Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
4
Merge onto I 220
0.5 mi·39 sec·Johnny Wyatt Memorial Highway
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 20 West: Shreveport
6
Merge onto I 20
7.9 mi·9 min·Purple Heart Recipients Highway
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 49 South: Alexandria
8
Continue on I 49
186 mi·3 hr 10 min·Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
10
Keep slight left at fork
362 ft·9 sec
Toward US 190 East: Baton Rouge
11
Merge onto US 190
49 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 190
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi·5 min·LA 415 Spur
13
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Baton Rouge
14
Merge onto I 10
79 mi·1 hr 29 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 DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 90 BUS
2.4 mi·2 min·Pontchartrain Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 90 BUS
0.7 mi·1 min·Crescent City Connection
18
Continue on US 90 BUS
5.4 mi·6 min·Westbank Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 4BToward LA 45: Barataria BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto Westbank Expressway
0.3 mi·36 sec·Westbank Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn right onto LA 45
0.3 mi·39 sec·Barataria Boulevard
22
Arrive at destination
LA 18
Trip Plan
For this 342.9-mile drive, leaving in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight, especially since the 6h 23m duration doesn't account for stops. With only one recommended stop, you can manage your breaks efficiently. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $51, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, particularly before heading into longer stretches. The longest continuous highway segment is 186.4 miles, so ensure you're well-fueled before embarking on that part of the drive.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.5 miles from Red Chute, LA, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.4 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 75 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.5 miles or 2h 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 5h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marrero, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Red Chute, 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 Red Chute, LA
This is one driving day of about 342.9 miles and 6h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Red Chute, 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 Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway for about 186.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 342.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.2 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 20 West: Shreveport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 20 West: Shreveport
6
198.2 mi into trip|~3h 27m in|US 190
Merge onto US 190
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
330.1 mi into trip|~6h 6m 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
333.7 mi into trip|~6h 11m in|US 90 BUS / Pontchartrain Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 90 BUS / Pontchartrain Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
342.1 mi into trip|~6h 21m in
Take the exit toward LA 45: Barataria Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4B
Toward LA 45: Barataria Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.38 one way
$106.76 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$58.85
$117.69
premium
$4.71
$63.60
$127.20
diesel
$6.18
$83.42
$166.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.9
1
$36.00
$16.46
Efficient EV
85.7
0
$30.00
$13.72
EV Truck/SUV
137.2
1
$48.01
$21.95
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Red Chute, LA
Late night
in Red Chute on Saturday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Clear
N 10 to 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 16 at 6:02PM CDT until October 17 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 16 at 6:02PM CDT until October 17 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Marrero, LA
Late night
in Marrero on Saturday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
N 15 to 20 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 16 at 6:02PM CDT until October 17 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 16 at 6:02PM CDT until October 17 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
90°F
Alexandria, LA
171 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
9 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
6h 23m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 331.1
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
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 94.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 42% highway driving, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on interstates. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 186.4 miles along the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a transition from more rural cruising on surface roads to interstate speeds, with a noticeable increase in traffic and exits as you approach your destination. The mixed profile suggests you'll experience both open road driving and more congested segments.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.4 mi on Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial 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 2.2 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 15 significant decision points across 342.9 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 2.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 198.2 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 330.1 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
216 ft-1 ft
Total Climb
19 ft
Total Descent
233 ft
Highest Point
216 ft
Elevation Range
217 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 Red Chute, LA to Marrero, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Opelousas along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 23m. Total distance: 342.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.4 miles on Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Marrero, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 198.2 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 330.1 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 and Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Marrero, LA before the return drive.
