Traveling between Shreveport and West Monroe covers 98.6 miles of Louisiana landscape. You can expect the journey to take approximately 1 hour and 52 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a simple day trip that requires no overnight stay. Navigating this route involves primarily local roads like the River Parkway, Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway, and Milam Street, rather than major interstate travel. With fuel costs estimated at $13, this is an affordable excursion for those traveling within the Southeast region. Because the drive is relatively short and straightforward, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your schedule around personal preference rather than strict logistical constraints. It is a practical, no-fuss connection between two of Louisiana’s notable hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.3 miles from Shreveport, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Shreveport, LA and West Monroe, 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
92 mi·1 hr 40 min·Purple Heart Recipients Highway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
10
Keep slight left at fork
142 ft·8 sec
11
Turn left onto Well Road
0.2 mi·22 sec·Well Road
12
Enter roundabout onto LA 3246
135 ft·2 sec·Well Road
13
Continue on LA 3246
0.2 mi·23 sec·Well Road
14
Turn right onto US 80; LA 15
2.7 mi·4 min·Cypress Street
15
Turn left onto LA 143
53 ft·0 sec·North 7th Street
16
Arrive at destination
LA 143
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 52-minute duration, you have the advantage of being able to depart at your leisure without needing to account for long-distance fatigue. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 98.6-mile trek, you are free to pace the drive exactly as you see fit. Keep in mind that because this route relies on turn-heavy local roads, you should double-check your navigation before leaving to ensure you are comfortable with the specific turns on Milam Street and the local parkways. Budgeting $13 for fuel should be sufficient for the trip, but topping off your tank in Shreveport is a smart way to ensure peace of mind. Flexibility is your biggest asset here, so feel free to adjust your departure time to avoid any local peak traffic hours.
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 49.3 miles from Shreveport, LA, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.4 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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.3 miles or 56m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Monroe, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Shreveport, LA
This is one driving day of about 98.6 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 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 92.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 95.6 — 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
95.4 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
95.4 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|Well Road
Turn left onto Well Road
Navigation decision point
5
95.6 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|LA 3246 / Well Road
Enter roundabout onto LA 3246 / Well Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.89 one way
$29.78 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$16.35
$32.69
premium
$4.56
$17.70
$35.40
diesel
$5.61
$21.77
$43.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.6
0
$10.35
$4.73
Efficient EV
24.7
0
$8.63
$3.94
EV Truck/SUV
39.4
0
$13.80
$6.31
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (65% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Shreveport, LA
Late night
in Shreveport on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Destination
West Monroe, LA
Late night
in West Monroe on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
8 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
1h 52m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 98.6-mile journey offers a distinct experience compared to a standard interstate highway haul. Since the highway share is 0%, your time behind the wheel is spent entirely on local roads, creating a turn-heavy drive that requires more active attention than a straight stretch of pavement. You will navigate segments like the Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway and Milam Street, which provide a different pace than typical high-speed corridors. Because the longest stretch on the River Parkway is 0 miles, you should anticipate frequent adjustments and a consistent, winding rhythm throughout the trip. Expect a more engaged driving experience that keeps you focused on the local surroundings for the duration of the 1 hour and 52-minute transit.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.4 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 98.6 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 95.4 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 98.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (2%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.4 miles on Purple Heart Recipients Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 95.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at West Monroe, LA before heading back.
