Planning a trip from River Ridge to Alexandria? This approximately 196-mile drive will take you about 3 hours and 49 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day excursion. The journey primarily utilizes I-10 and State Route 1, with a significant portion on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of around $30, it’s an economical option for exploring within Louisiana. This route is a straightforward highway-focused drive, perfect for getting from point A to point B efficiently. You'll be staying within the Southeast region for the entire trip.
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
97.8 miles from River Ridge, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
71.3 mi
1h 20m
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
64.9 mi
1h 5m
State Route 1
49 mi
1h 2m
North Lobdell Highway
3.6 mi
4m
Williams Boulevard
2.1 mi
4m
Jefferson Highway
1.6 mi
3m
Filmore Street
0.5 mi
1m
Airline Drive
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 71.3 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between River Ridge, LA and Alexandria, LA.
1
Start on this road
47 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Garden Road
0.2 mi·58 sec·Garden Road
3
Turn right onto LA 48
1.6 mi·3 min·Jefferson Highway
4
Turn right onto Filmore Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Filmore Street
5
Turn left onto US 61
0.4 mi·55 sec·Airline Drive
6
Take the exit
241 ft·7 sec
7
At end of road, turn right onto LA 49
2.1 mi·4 min·Williams Boulevard
Use the right lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
9
Merge onto I 10
67 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi·4 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 151Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft·7 sec
Toward LA 415: LobdellUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi·4 min·North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi·1 hr 2 min·State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
16
Merge onto I 49; US 167
65 mi·1 hr 5 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward M L King Drive, Downtown Alexandria
18
Continue on 10th Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·10th Street
19
Turn right onto Murray Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Murray Street
20
Arrive at destination
Murray Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 49-minute drive, starting early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 71.3-mile stretch on I-10, as services can be spaced out. The relatively short duration means you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Consider packing snacks and drinks to make the most of your time on the road.
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 97.8 miles from River Ridge, LA, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.3 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 43 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.8 miles or 2h 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 Alexandria, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving River Ridge, 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 River Ridge, LA
This is one driving day of about 195.7 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from River Ridge, 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 71.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.9 and 77 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.9 mi into trip|~6m in|LA 49 / Williams Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto LA 49 / Williams Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
5.4 mi into trip|~11m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
72.8 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
76.7 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward LA 415: Lobdell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
7
77 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 415: Lobdell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.56 one way
$59.11 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$32.44
$64.89
premium
$4.56
$35.13
$70.25
diesel
$5.61
$43.21
$86.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.7
0
$20.55
$9.39
Efficient EV
48.9
0
$17.12
$7.83
EV Truck/SUV
78.3
0
$27.40
$12.52
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
River Ridge, LA
Late night
in River Ridge on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alexandria, LA
Late night
in Alexandria on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
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 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 49m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 61% of the journey on high-speed roads. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 71.3 miles on I-10, offering a chance to settle in. While the majority is highway driving, the inclusion of Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and State Route 1 introduces some variation from a pure interstate experience. Expect a generally efficient pace, allowing you to cover ground steadily. The road character is geared towards consistent travel rather than winding scenic byways.
61% 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: 71.3 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in near LA 49 / Williams Boulevard.
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 195.7 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 2.9 miles (LA 49 / Williams Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.8 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Alexandria is a historic city, rich in Louisiana history. Civil War historic sites along with easy access to numerous historic locations and Kisatchie National Forest sites make it a city ideal for history enthusiasts and sportsmen.
Top landmarks
•Arna Wendell Bontemps House — historic house in Louisiana, United States
•Bolton High School — high school in Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 49m. Total distance: 195.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.3 miles on I 10. 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 Alexandria, 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 2.9 miles (LA 49 / Williams Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.8 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Alexandria, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
