Shreveport to Charenton is 259 miles and takes about 4h 45m via Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and US 90, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, traveling from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. The profile is mostly surface roads, so expect a more leisurely pace than a pure interstate drive. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion.
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
129.5 miles from Shreveport, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
197.9 mi
3h 22m
US 90
34.1 mi
38m
Veterans Memorial Expressway
10.6 mi
11m
Chitimacha Trail
2.7 mi
4m
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
2.2 mi
3m
North Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Ambassador Caffery Parkway
1.5 mi
2m
North Common Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
— 197.9 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shreveport, LA and Charenton, 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
198 mi·3 hr 22 min·Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 49; US 167
8.8 mi·9 min·Veterans Memorial Expressway
11
Continue on I 49; LA 182
2.2 mi·3 min·Northwest Evangeline Thruway
12
Continue on US 90; LA 182
6.1 mi·8 min·US 90; LA 182
13
Turn right onto North Morgan Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·North Morgan Avenue
14
Turn left onto LA 3073
1.5 mi·2 min·Ambassador Caffery Parkway
15
Turn right onto East Fairfield Drive
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Fairfield Drive
16
Turn left onto St Etienne Road
1.0 mi·4 min·St Etienne Road
17
At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1
0.6 mi·52 sec·Young Street
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 92-1
0.5 mi·31 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·12 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·11 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.2 mi·14 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
0.8 mi·53 sec·Veterans Memorial Expressway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
28 mi·30 min·US 90
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward LA 83: Baldwin, Charenton
25
Turn left onto LA 83
1.4 mi·2 min·State Route 83
26
At end of road, turn right onto LA 182
0.2 mi·33 sec·Main Street
27
Turn left onto LA 326
0.6 mi·1 min·Charenton Road
28
Continue on LA 326
2.7 mi·4 min·Chitimacha Trail
29
Turn right
94 ft·6 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 45 minute drive time, leaving Shreveport in the morning allows ample time to reach Charenton before evening. The route has only one recommended stop, but you can always add more as needed since it's a single-day trip. Keep an eye on fuel, especially before the longest stretch on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, to avoid any potential delays. The transition from highway to surface roads around the 198-mile mark is a good point to check your navigation and be prepared for a change in traffic patterns.
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 129.5 miles from Shreveport, LA, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.9 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 57 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.5 miles or 2h 17m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charenton, 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 259 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 197.9 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 253.7 — 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
223.3 mi into trip|~4h 3m in|LA 92-1 / Young Street
At end of road, turn left onto LA 92-1 / Young Street
Navigation decision point
5
224.5 mi into trip|~4h 4m in|US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
224.7 mi into trip|~4h 4m in|US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
253.7 mi into trip|~4h 36m in
Take the exit toward LA 83: Baldwin, Charenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward LA 83: Baldwin, Charenton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.95 one way
$71.91 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$40.23
$80.45
premium
$4.29
$43.73
$87.47
diesel
$4.80
$48.90
$97.81
Estimated Tolls: $0.15
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.2 mi)$0.15
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.7
0
$27.20
$12.43
Efficient EV
64.8
0
$22.66
$10.36
EV Truck/SUV
103.6
1
$36.26
$16.58
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 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 15, 2026
Origin
Shreveport, LA
Late night
in Shreveport on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 14 at 5:32PM CDT until July 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 14 at 5:31PM CDT until July 16 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Charenton, LA
Late night
in Charenton on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 14 at 5:32PM CDT until July 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 14 at 5:31PM CDT until July 16 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
95°F
Alexandria, LA
130 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
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
4h 45m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 80.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 19% of your time on highways, with the longest stretch of highway driving being 197.9 miles on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. After this significant highway segment, you'll transition to surface roads. Expect a noticeable shift in driving conditions and pace as you move from high-speed travel to navigating local roads with more frequent intersections.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 197.9 mi on Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 259 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 223.3 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point; at 224.5 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
Top landmarks
•Petroleum Tower — 16-story high-rise office building located at 425 Edwards Street at the corner o...
•Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium — theater and meeting hall in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
•Strand Theatre — theater in Shreveport, Louisiana
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 259 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (19%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 197.9 miles on Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.15 in tolls one way, starting with Northwest Evangeline Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 12 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 223.3 miles (LA 92-1 / Young Street): Navigation decision point; at 224.5 miles (US 90 / Veterans Memorial Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Charenton, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
