Traveling from Shreveport to Abita Springs covers 319.5 miles across Louisiana, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 58 minutes. Because the route stays within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent landscape as you transition across the state. Budgeting roughly $49 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip. While it is technically possible to complete this drive in a single day, the duration makes it a full-day commitment. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, you might consider an overnight stay, but the route is manageable for a dedicated driver looking to reach their destination by evening.
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
159.7 miles from Shreveport, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
186.4 mi
3h 10m
West Florida Republic Parkway
58.4 mi
1h 3m
US 190
49.5 mi
1h 3m
I 10
7.6 mi
9m
LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi
5m
Highway 36
2.3 mi
3m
South Tyler Street
2 mi
3m
North Common Street
1.4 mi
2m
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 Shreveport, LA and Abita Springs, LA.
1
Start on River Parkway
0.5 mi·1 min·River Parkway
2
Turn left onto Jack Wells Boulevard
0.1 mi·31 sec·Jack Wells Boulevard
3
Turn left onto Airport Drive
0.3 mi·39 sec·Airport Drive
4
Turn right onto North Common Street
1.4 mi·2 min·North Common Street
5
Turn right onto LA 173
0.3 mi·36 sec·Caddo Street
6
Continue on LA 173
0.1 mi·23 sec·Ford Street
7
Turn left onto Allen Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Allen Avenue
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 49 South: Alexandria
9
Continue on I 49
186 mi·3 hr 10 min·Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 190: Baton Rouge, Opelousas
11
Keep slight left at fork
362 ft·9 sec
Toward US 190 East: Baton Rouge
12
Merge onto US 190
49 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 190
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi·5 min·LA 415 Spur
14
Turn left
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Baton Rouge
15
Merge onto I 10
7.6 mi·9 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 159Toward I 12 East: HammondUse the slight left / straight lanes.
17
Continue on I 12
58 mi·1 hr 3 min·West Florida Republic Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 59Toward LA 21: Covington, MadisonvilleUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto LA 21
1.2 mi·2 min·Highway 21
20
Turn straight onto LA 21
2.0 mi·3 min·South Tyler Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto US 190 Business; LA 21
0.4 mi·44 sec·West 21st Avenue
22
Keep slight right at fork
89 ft·1 sec
23
Turn slight right onto US 190 Business; LA 21
370 ft·7 sec·East 21st Avenue
24
Continue on US 190 Business; LA 21
0.8 mi·1 min·East Boston Street
25
Continue on LA 21
0.2 mi·19 sec·Military Road
26
Turn right onto LA 36
0.7 mi·1 min·Covington Highway
27
Continue on LA 36
2.3 mi·3 min·Highway 36
28
Enter roundabout onto LA 59
26 ft·0 sec·LA 59
29
Continue on LA 59
0.1 mi·13 sec·LA 59
30
Arrive at destination
LA 59
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 319.5-mile journey, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic patterns and ensure you arrive with daylight to spare. Since the itinerary includes one planned stop, use that break strategically to stretch your legs and refresh before tackling the final leg of the drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip to ensure you stay within your $49 budget. Because the route relies heavily on major corridors like the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, stay alert for construction or maintenance updates before you head out. Flexibility is your best asset on this route, so don't hesitate to adjust your timing if weather or traffic reports suggest a delay.
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 159.7 miles from Shreveport, LA, or about 2h 47m 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 70 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.7 miles or 2h 47m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Abita Springs, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shreveport, 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 Shreveport, LA
This is one driving day of about 319.5 miles and 5h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Shreveport, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 311.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.5 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 49 South: Alexandria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 49 South: Alexandria
5
190.6 mi into trip|~3h 19m 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
191.1 mi into trip|~3h 20m in|US 190
Merge onto US 190
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
252.1 mi into trip|~4h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 12 East: Hammond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 159
Toward I 12 East: Hammond
8
311.3 mi into trip|~5h 44m in
Take the exit toward LA 21: Covington, Madisonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 59
Toward LA 21: Covington, Madisonville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.25 one way
$96.50 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$52.97
$105.94
premium
$4.56
$57.35
$114.69
diesel
$5.61
$70.54
$141.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.9
1
$33.55
$15.34
Efficient EV
79.9
0
$27.96
$12.78
EV Truck/SUV
127.8
1
$44.73
$20.45
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Shreveport, LA
Evening
in Shreveport on Saturday
Local time
8:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Abita Springs, LA
Evening
in Abita Springs on Saturday
Local time
8:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Broussard, LA
160 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
30 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 58m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving profile that keeps you engaged as you navigate through different road types. You will spend about 39% of your time on highways, with a significant 186.4-mile stretch along the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway serving as the longest segment of the trip. The journey transitions through various road designations, including the West Florida Republic Parkway and US 190. While the highway portions offer a steady rhythm, the overall experience requires you to adapt to changing road conditions. It is a practical route that balances long, efficient highway hauls with the transition into local thoroughfares as you approach Abita Springs.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 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 3.5 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 18 significant decision points across 319.5 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 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 190.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.1 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
181 ft20 ft
Total Climb
56 ft
Total Descent
213 ft
Highest Point
181 ft
Elevation Range
162 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 Shreveport, LA to Abita Springs, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Opelousas along the way.
Shreveport is the largest city in Northern Louisiana, part of the twin city metro of Shreveport-Bossier City, and is considered the principal city in the three-state region known as the "Ark-La-Tex." It has about 188,000 residents (2019), and is in the area of the state designated as the Sportsman's Paradise. Many lakes and rivers are in the area and offer recreational activities. The surrounding area is also a contrast from points in southern Louisiana, in that the landscape is marked by rolling hills and pine forests, being an extension of the Texas region known as the Piney Woods.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 58m. Total distance: 319.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
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 Abita Springs, 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 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 190.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.1 miles (US 190): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Abita Springs, LA before the return drive.
