This 329.4-mile journey from Red Chute, LA to Metairie, LA is a straightforward one-day drive, estimated to take around 6 hours and 7 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and I-10, with a portion on US 190, making for a mixed driving experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $50, this trip is budget-friendly for a single day. Both the origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so expect a consistent regional feel throughout your travels. This route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
164.7 miles from Red Chute, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
186.4 mi
3h 10m
I 10
76.5 mi
1h 27m
US 190
49.5 mi
1h 3m
Purple Heart Recipients Highway
7.9 mi
9m
LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi
5m
Highway 80
0.7 mi
1m
East Texas Street
0.7 mi
1m
North Causeway Boulevard
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 Metairie, 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
77 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 228Toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·55 sec
Toward Causeway Boulevard SouthUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto North Causeway Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·North Causeway Boulevard
18
Turn left onto 46th Street
88 ft·5 sec·46th Street
19
Turn right onto North Causeway Boulevard
285 ft·17 sec·North Causeway Boulevard
20
Turn left onto 47th Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·47th Street
21
Arrive at destination
Fagot Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Metairie. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in choosing when and where to break your journey; however, plan for a longer stretch on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, so consider a break before or after this segment. The estimated fuel cost of $50 should be factored into your budget, and it's always wise to top off your tank before embarking on the 186.4-mile stretch on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during longer stretches where services might be less frequent.
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 164.7 miles from Red Chute, LA, or about 2h 52m 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 72 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.7 miles or 2h 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 4h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Metairie, 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 329.4 miles and 6h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 328.2 — 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
5
197.6 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
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
328 mi into trip|~6h 4m in
Take the exit toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel Boulevard
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 228
Toward Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville, Bonnabel...
7
328.2 mi into trip|~6h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Causeway Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Causeway Boulevard South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.75 one way
$99.49 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$54.61
$109.22
premium
$4.56
$59.12
$118.25
diesel
$5.61
$72.73
$145.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.8
1
$34.59
$15.81
Efficient EV
82.4
0
$28.82
$13.18
EV Truck/SUV
131.8
1
$46.12
$21.08
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% 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 Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Red Chute, LA
Evening
in Red Chute on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Metairie, LA
Evening
in Metairie on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
S 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
85°F
Alexandria, LA
165 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 7m 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.
Cane River Creole National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 90.9
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 329.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The drive features a significant 40% on highways, offering stretches of efficient travel. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 186.4 miles on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, providing a solid block of driving time. The profile is described as a 'mixed drive,' suggesting a blend of faster highway sections and potentially other road types as you progress toward Metairie. This means you'll experience varying driving conditions, from open highway cruising to potentially more varied local road segments.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 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?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 329.4 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 2.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 197.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.2 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Metairie, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Opelousas along the way.
Opelousas
197.6 mi in|~3h 26m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 7m. Total distance: 329.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 7m 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 197.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.2 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Metairie, LA before the return drive.
