Richwood to New Orleans is 267.1 miles and takes about 5h 12m via Seargent Prentiss Drive and US 425, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Southeast region of Louisiana to another part of the Southeast, primarily on highways. With about 70% of the route on highways, you'll cover a good amount of ground efficiently. Consider this trip if you're looking for a straightforward drive that gets you to New Orleans without too many detours.
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
133.5 miles from Richwood, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Richwood, LA and New Orleans, LA.
1
Start on US 165
75 ft·9 sec·US 165
2
Continue on US 165
3.3 mi·4 min·US 165
3
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
5
Merge onto I 20
19 mi·20 min·I 20
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
7
Turn right onto US 425
76 mi·1 hr 28 min·US 425
8
Keep slight right at fork
526 ft·14 sec
9
Merge onto US 61
79 mi·1 hr 34 min·Seargent Prentiss Drive
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·48 sec
Toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
11
Continue on I 110
2.5 mi·3 min·Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 110
5.7 mi·7 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 110
0.5 mi·35 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 10
75 mi·1 hr 24 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 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 234BToward Poydras Street, SuperdomeUse 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
To make the most of this 5h 12m drive, aim to leave Richwood in the morning to give yourself ample daylight for the 267.1 miles. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your timing, perhaps pausing around the halfway mark. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach New Orleans, as prices can sometimes be higher in urban areas; your estimated fuel cost is around $39. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 79.3 miles, so plan your break before or after that if needed.
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 133.5 miles from Richwood, LA, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.3 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 59 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.5 miles or 2h 35m 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 16m
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 Richwood, 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 Richwood, LA
This is one driving day of about 267.1 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Richwood, 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 Seargent Prentiss Drive for about 79.3 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 3.4 and 266.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.4 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
187 mi into trip|~3h 40m in|I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
262.2 mi into trip|~5h 5m 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
265.7 mi into trip|~5h 10m 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
266.2 mi into trip|~5h 10m 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
$37.08 one way
$74.16 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$41.48
$82.97
premium
$4.29
$45.10
$90.20
diesel
$4.80
$50.43
$100.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.1
0
$28.05
$12.82
Efficient EV
66.8
0
$23.37
$10.68
EV Truck/SUV
106.8
1
$37.39
$17.09
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Richwood, LA
Late night
in Richwood on Sunday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:23PM CDT until July 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
New Orleans, LA
Late night
in New Orleans on Sunday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:23PM CDT until July 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
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
3 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
5h 12m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 267.1
Now a nearly forgotten culture, Poverty Point at its peak 3,000 years ago was part of an enormous trading network that stretched for hundreds of miles across the continent. It was - and is - also an e...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 18.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 70% of the 267.1 miles on higher-speed roads like US 425 and I 10. You'll encounter your longest stretch without a major road change at 79.3 miles on Seargent Prentiss Drive. Expect to transition from surface roads to highways early on, and then back to more urban merging as you approach New Orleans. The bulk of your time will be spent cruising on well-maintained roadways.
70% 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: 79.3 mi on Seargent Prentiss Drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Seargent Prentiss Drive and US 425. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 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 15 significant decision points across 267.1 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 187 miles (I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 262.2 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
351 ft0 ft
Total Climb
299 ft
Total Descent
373 ft
Highest Point
351 ft
~133.5 mi in
Elevation Range
351 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 Richwood, LA to New Orleans, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Archibald 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.
Top landmarks
•Tulane University of Louisiana — private research university in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
•Caesars Superdome — domed stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
•French Quarter — neighborhood of and historic district in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 12m. Total distance: 267.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.3 miles on Seargent Prentiss Drive. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 New Orleans, 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 187 miles (I 110 / Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 262.2 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 Poverty Point National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at New Orleans, LA before the return drive.
