Origin
Shreveport, LA
Night in Shreveport on Saturday
Local time
11:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shreveport, LA to Saint Martinville, LA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 9m
Distance
228.4 mi
368 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 56m
★
6 AM
4h 9m
8 AM
4h 36m
10 AM
4h 19m
12 PM
4h 16m
3 PM
4h 20m
5 PM
4h 34m
8 PM
4h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shreveport, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Saint Martinville, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 228.4-mile journey from Shreveport to Saint Martinville, Louisiana, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 9 minutes. You'll primarily navigate on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway and US 90, with a significant 8% share of the drive being on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $34, this route offers a budget-friendly experience. The drive feels like a turn-heavy local exploration, perfect for those who enjoy a more hands-on driving experience rather than a long, straight highway cruise. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so you'll be exploring within a familiar geographical context.
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
114.2 miles from Shreveport, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway | 197.9 mi | 3h 22m |
| Veterans Memorial Expressway | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| US 90 | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| Terrace Highway | 5.6 mi | 9m |
| Northwest Evangeline Thruway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| North Common Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Southwest Evangeline Thruway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| State Route 96 | 1 mi | 1m |
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 Saint Martinville, 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
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
US 90; LA 182
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
·
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
15
Take the exit onto LA 182
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
LA 182
16
Turn left onto LA 96
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Route 96
17
Continue on LA 96
5.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Terrace Highway
18
Continue on LA 96
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
West Port Street
19
Turn left onto South Vivier Street
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Vivier Street
20
Turn right onto West Bridge Street
148 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Bridge Street
21
Arrive at destination
West Bridge Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 9-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, especially since the route has a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. You'll encounter one primary stop point along the way, so plan for a brief break to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch is nearly 200 miles, and fuel availability can vary on local roads. The estimated fuel cost is around $34, so factor that into your budget before you set off.
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 114.2 miles from Shreveport, LA, or about 2h 1m 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 50 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.2 miles or 2h 1m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Martinville, 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 228.4 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 114.2 miles from Shreveport, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 197.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 228.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Airport Drive
Turn left onto Airport Drive
Navigation decision point
4
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
LA 173 / Caddo Street
Turn right onto LA 173 / Caddo Street
Navigation decision point
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
4
219.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m in
|
US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90; LA 182 / Southwest Evangeline Thruway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
228.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m in
|
West Bridge Street
Turn right onto West Bridge Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.49 one way
$68.99 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $37.87 | $75.73 |
| premium | $4.56 | $41.00 | $81.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.43 | $100.86 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.20
Northwest Evangeline Thruway
(2.2 mi)
$0.15
Southwest Evangeline Thruway
(0.7 mi)
$0.05
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
$34
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.5 | 0 | $23.98 | $10.96 |
| Efficient EV | 57.1 | 0 | $19.99 | $9.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.4 | 1 | $31.98 | $14.62 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Saint Martinville, LA
Night in Saint Martinville on Saturday
Local time
11:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
85°F
Alexandria, LA
114 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
3 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 9m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 78.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, rather than a straightforward interstate experience. While you'll encounter some highway sections, about 8% of the drive, the overall feel is more about navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 197.9 miles on the Louisiana Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, offering a substantial period of consistent driving. This route is characterized by frequent turns and changes in scenery as you move through different communities, making it an engaging, rather than monotonous, journey behind the wheel.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Airport Drive.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 228.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.7 miles (Airport Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (LA 173 / Caddo Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Starting in Shreveport, LA
Full guide →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.
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 4h 9m. Total distance: 228.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (8%). 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 $0.20 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.
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.
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 0.7 miles (Airport Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (LA 173 / Caddo Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.5 miles: 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Martinville, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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