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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 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
$35.11 one way
$70.21 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$38.83
$77.66
premium
$4.65
$41.79
$83.57
diesel
$5.35
$48.11
$96.22
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
$35
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, 2026-06-01.
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.
Forecast as of May 27, 2026
Origin
Shreveport, LA
Afternoon
in Shreveport on Wednesday
Local time
3:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 5 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 27 at 5:57AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 27 at 5:56AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Saint Martinville, LA
Afternoon
in Saint Martinville on Wednesday
Local time
3:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
S 5 to 10 mph78% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 27 at 5:57AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 27 at 5:56AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
72°F
Creola, 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
14 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
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
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 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 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.
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 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.
Yes — we found about 10 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 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.
