Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Shreveport, LA to Ferriday, LA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 30m
Distance
184.8 mi
297 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 18m
★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 55m
10 AM
3h 39m
12 PM
3h 36m
3 PM
3h 40m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shreveport, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Ferriday, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Shreveport to Ferriday is 184.8 miles and takes about 3h 30m via Purple Heart Recipients Highway and US 425, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. With most of the drive on highways, you'll find it a straightforward path to your destination. It's a relatively short drive, making it ideal for a single-day trip, so you can focus on arriving without feeling rushed.
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
92.4 miles from Shreveport, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Recipients Highway | 118.3 mi | 2h 9m |
| US 425 | 63.5 mi | 1h 13m |
| River Parkway | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| US 71 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Milam Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Recipients Highway
— 118.3 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shreveport, LA and Ferriday, LA.
1
Start on River Parkway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
River Parkway
2
Continue on River Parkway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
River Parkway
3
Turn straight onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
4
Turn right onto Milam Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Milam Street
5
Turn left onto US 71; LA 1
381 ft
·
15 sec
·
Market Street
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71; LA 1
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Market Street
7
Take the ramp onto US 71
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
US 71
8
Merge onto I 20; US 71
118 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
·
Purple Heart Recipients Highway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
10
Turn right onto US 425
63 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
US 425
11
Turn left
203 ft
·
14 sec
12
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 30m estimated duration, you can comfortably complete this drive in one day. Leaving Shreveport in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Ferriday. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $25, planning is simple. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway portion on Purple Heart Recipients Highway, as services might be less frequent than in more urban areas. This route's manageable length means you have flexibility to depart when you're ready.
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 92.4 miles from Shreveport, LA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.3 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 41 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.4 miles or 1h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ferriday, 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 184.8 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 Purple Heart Recipients Highway for about 118.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.4 miles from Shreveport, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Recipients Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Quick Draw Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
USA Truck Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Wallys Fast Food
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 121.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Milam Street
Turn right onto Milam Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 71; LA 1 / Market Street
Turn left onto US 71; LA 1 / Market Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 71; LA 1 / Market Street
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71; LA 1 / Market Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
121 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
4
121.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
US 425
Turn right onto US 425
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.40 one way
$56.81 round trip
$3.90/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $31.42 | $62.83 |
| premium | $4.65 | $33.81 | $67.62 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $38.92 | $77.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.4 | 0 | $19.40 | $8.87 |
| Efficient EV | 46.2 | 0 | $16.17 | $7.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.9 | 0 | $25.87 | $11.83 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Origin
Shreveport, LA
Afternoon in Shreveport on Wednesday
Local time
3:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 14 at 8:00PM CDT until May 19 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 14 at 10:05AM CDT until May 15 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Ferriday, LA
Afternoon in Ferriday on Wednesday
Local time
3:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
SE 0 to 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 14 at 8:00PM CDT until May 19 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 14 at 10:05AM CDT until May 15 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
73°F
Delhi, LA
92 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
5 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
3h 30m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Poverty Point National Monument
National Monument
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 121.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 36% of this 184.8-mile route is highway driving. You'll experience an 118.3-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Recipients Highway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a mix of higher-speed cruising and potentially more local traffic as you get closer to Ferriday. The change from highway to surface roads will be noticeable.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.3 mi on Purple Heart Recipients Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near Milam Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 30m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (Milam Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (US 71; LA 1 / Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (US 71; LA 1 / Market Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
354 ft
58 ft
Total Climb
200 ft
Total Descent
323 ft
Highest Point
354 ft
~52.8 mi in
Elevation Range
295 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Ferriday, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Archibald along the way.
Archibald
121 mi in
|
~2h 15m
About the Cities
Starting in Shreveport, LA
Full guide →Founded 1836
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
Arriving in Ferriday, LA
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Ferriday Commercial Historic District — historic district in Ferriday, Louisiana
- • Zappe Boarding House — boarding house in Ferriday, Louisiana
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 184.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (36%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.3 miles on Purple Heart Recipients Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 1.9 miles (Milam Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (US 71; LA 1 / Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (US 71; LA 1 / Market Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Poverty Point National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Ferriday, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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