Connecting Shreveport to Kenner, this 317.1-mile journey across Louisiana typically takes about 5 hours and 53 minutes. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. You should budget approximately $48 for fuel to cover the distance between these two points in the state's Southeast region. Utilizing a mix of I-10, US-190, and the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, the route offers a straightforward path for travelers. Whether you are heading toward the New Orleans area for business or leisure, this trip is well-suited for a direct, one-day transit.
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
158.6 miles from Shreveport, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
186.4 mi
3h 10m
I 10
71.4 mi
1h 20m
US 190
49.5 mi
1h 3m
LA 415 Spur
3.6 mi
5m
North Common Street
1.4 mi
2m
Williams Boulevard
1 mi
2m
Allen Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
River Parkway
0.5 mi
1m
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 Kenner, 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
71 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 223A-BToward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans International AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
174 ft·4 sec
Toward LA 49 South: New Orleans International Airport, Williams Boulevard SouthUse the right lane.
18
Turn right onto LA 49
1.0 mi·2 min·Williams Boulevard
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto 21st Street
38 ft·1 sec·21st Street
20
Arrive at destination
21st Street
Trip Plan
To keep your energy levels steady, plan for at least one dedicated stop during your 317.1-mile journey. Since the drive is under six hours, leaving early in the morning allows you to arrive in Kenner with plenty of daylight to spare. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially before hitting the 186.4-mile stretch on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, to ensure you don't get caught low on gas in a remote section. Having your $48 fuel budget ready helps streamline your planning, but consider setting aside a little extra for unexpected price fluctuations at the pump. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your stop timing based on your personal comfort rather than a rigid schedule.
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 158.6 miles from Shreveport, LA, or about 2h 46m 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 158.6 miles or 2h 46m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenner, 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 317.1 miles and 5h 53m.
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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 316.1 — 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.
8
315.8 mi into trip|~5h 50m in
Take the exit toward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 223A-B
Toward LA 49: Williams Boulevard, New Orleans I...
9
316.1 mi into trip|~5h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 49 South: New Orleans International Airport, Williams Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 49 South: New Orleans International A...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.89 one way
$95.78 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$52.57
$105.14
premium
$4.56
$56.92
$113.83
diesel
$5.61
$70.01
$140.02
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: 110.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.1
1
$33.30
$15.22
Efficient EV
79.3
0
$27.75
$12.68
EV Truck/SUV
126.8
1
$44.39
$20.29
Gas CO2
111 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
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kenner, LA
Evening
in Kenner on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
85°F
Alexandria, LA
159 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
23 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 53m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 87.5
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 317.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances steady highway cruising with local road transitions. With a 39% highway share, you will spend a significant portion of the trip navigating through various road types rather than just staying on a single interstate. The longest uninterrupted segment spans 186.4 miles along the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, requiring you to maintain focus during that extended stretch. As you progress from the Shreveport area toward Kenner, the character of the road shifts, providing a change in scenery and driving intensity. Being prepared for these transitions will help you stay comfortable behind the wheel throughout the nearly six-hour trek.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 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?
7/10
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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 317.1 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 3.5 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
191 ft0 ft
Total Climb
88 ft
Total Descent
270 ft
Highest Point
191 ft
~68 mi in
Elevation Range
191 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 Kenner, 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.
Kenner is a suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana, on the east bank of Jefferson Parish, approximately 10 mi (16 km) west of the city. It is the location of New Orleans International Airport. René-Robert Cavelier landed on this stretch of the north shore of the Mississippi River in 1682.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 317.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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 Kenner, 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.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kenner, LA before the return drive.
