If you are planning a trip from Shreveport to Swartz, you are looking at a 111-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 11 minutes to complete. This drive stays entirely within Louisiana, moving across the southeastern region of the state. Since the entire route is easily manageable in a single day, there is no need to worry about overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel, making this a budget-friendly option for your travel plans. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this straightforward trek provides a reliable connection between the two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.5 miles from Shreveport, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Shreveport, LA and Swartz, 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
99 mi·1 hr 48 min·Purple Heart Recipients Highway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 165: Bastrop, Columbia
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 165 North: Bastrop
11
Merge onto US 165
1.4 mi·1 min·Martin Luther King Jr Drive
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
13
Turn right onto US 80
2.8 mi·4 min·Desiard Street
14
Continue on LA 139
0.4 mi·40 sec·Old Bastrop Road
15
Continue on LA 139
1.3 mi·2 min·Lincoln Road
16
Continue on LA 139
1.9 mi·3 min·Highway 139
17
Turn right onto Swartz School Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Swartz School Road
18
Arrive at destination
Swartz School Road
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Since there are no scheduled stops in the data, it is a good idea to check your fuel levels before leaving Shreveport to ensure you can cover the $17 estimated cost without needing to hunt for stations along the way. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route means you should pace yourself, especially when transitioning from the long stretch on the Purple Heart Recipients Highway onto local roads like Highway 139. Planning for a direct, non-stop drive is the most efficient way to handle this 111-mile distance. Stay mindful of your surroundings as you navigate the local sections near Swartz to ensure a smooth arrival.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.5 miles from Shreveport, LA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.1 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.5 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Swartz, 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 111 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Shreveport, LA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Recipients Highway for about 99.1 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 2.1 and 110.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
101.7 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward US 165: Bastrop, Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 165: Bastrop, Columbia
5
101.9 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 165 North: Bastrop
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 165 North: Bastrop
4
110.2 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|Swartz School Road
Turn right onto Swartz School Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.76 one way
$33.53 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$18.40
$36.80
premium
$4.56
$19.92
$39.85
diesel
$5.61
$24.51
$49.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.3
0
$11.65
$5.33
Efficient EV
27.8
0
$9.71
$4.44
EV Truck/SUV
44.4
0
$15.54
$7.10
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Shreveport, LA
Late night
in Shreveport on Tuesday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Swartz, LA
Late night
in Swartz on Tuesday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
84°F
Arcadia, LA
56 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
2h 11m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined as a turn-heavy local drive, offering a different pace than a monotonous interstate haul. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Purple Heart Recipients Highway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 99.1 miles. With only about 4% of the journey on major highways, expect to navigate local roads like Desiard Street and Highway 139 for most of the trip. The route transitions from highway speeds to more technical driving, so stay alert as the road requires your attention through its various turns. It is a practical drive that demands a bit more engagement from the driver than a standard freeway cruise.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.1 mi on Purple Heart Recipients 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 2.1 miles in near US 71; LA 1 / Market Street.
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 111 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 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; at 101.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
392 ft55 ft
Total Climb
310 ft
Total Descent
436 ft
Highest Point
392 ft
~50.9 mi in
Elevation Range
337 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 Swartz, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Columbia 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 111 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (4%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.1 miles on Purple Heart Recipients Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 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; at 101.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Swartz, LA before heading back.
