Slidell to Bastrop is 273.3 miles and takes about 5h 22m via US 84, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Louisiana, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads as you make your way north. With only one recommended stop and a reasonable driving time, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip.
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
136.6 miles from Slidell, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
63.3 mi
1h 12m
Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
56.4 mi
1h
US 84
47.3 mi
55m
West Florida Republic Parkway
41.7 mi
44m
US 98
30.1 mi
34m
South Louisa Street
13.2 mi
19m
Oak Ridge Road
6.5 mi
9m
Grabault Road
6.1 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 12m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~598 veh/hr typical
· worst 874
Quietest
1 AM
~82 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 44 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Slidell, LA and Bastrop, LA.
1
Start on Bouscaren Street
220 ft·15 sec·Bouscaren Street
2
Turn left onto 3rd Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·3rd Street
3
Turn left onto US 190 Business
0.1 mi·21 sec·Fremaux Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 11
0.6 mi·1 min·Front Street
5
Turn left onto US 190
3.0 mi·4 min·Gause Boulevard West
6
Turn right onto Northshore Boulevard
0.7 mi·1 min·Northshore Boulevard
7
Continue on Airport Road
0.3 mi·28 sec·Airport Road
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
9
Merge onto I 12
42 mi·44 min·West Florida Republic Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 38BToward I 55: JacksonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 55
56 mi·1 hr·Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 98
29 mi·33 min·US 98
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 98; MS 184
0.8 mi·53 sec·US 98; MS 184
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
15
Merge onto US 84
28 mi·32 min·US 84
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
6.0 mi·7 min·US 84
17
Take the exit onto US 84
13 mi·15 min·US 84
18
Continue on US 425; LA 15
63 mi·1 hr 12 min·E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
19
Enter roundabout onto US 425
124 ft·2 sec·South Louisa Street
20
Continue on US 425
13 mi·19 min·South Louisa Street
21
Continue on US 425
4.2 mi·6 min·Oak Ridge Road
22
Continue on US 425
0.4 mi·38 sec·North Oak Street
23
Continue on US 425
2.2 mi·3 min·Oak Ridge Road
24
Turn left onto Grabault Road
6.1 mi·10 min·Grabault Road
25
At end of road, turn left onto US 165; US 425; LA 2
0.3 mi·32 sec·Mer Rouge Road
26
Continue on US 165; US 425; LA 2
1.9 mi·3 min·East Madison Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
3 ft·0 sec·US 165; US 425; LA 2
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Slidell to ensure you have ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to surface roads, as stations might be less frequent. The fuel cost is estimated at around $40, so plan accordingly. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have flexibility to adjust your schedule if needed.
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 136.6 miles from Slidell, LA, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 60 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.6 miles or 2h 33m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bastrop, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Slidell, 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 Slidell, LA
This is one driving day of about 273.3 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Slidell, 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 E. E. Wallace Boulevard North for about 63.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 47.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|3rd Street
Turn left onto 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 190 Business / Fremaux Avenue
Turn left onto US 190 Business / Fremaux Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
5.3 mi into trip|~8m in|I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway
Merge onto I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
47 mi into trip|~53m in
Take the exit toward I 55: Jackson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 38B
Toward I 55: Jackson
5
47.4 mi into trip|~54m in|I 55 / Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
Merge onto I 55 / Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.01 one way
$84.01 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$46.46
$92.92
premium
$4.65
$50.00
$100.00
diesel
$5.35
$57.57
$115.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82
1
$28.70
$13.12
Efficient EV
68.3
0
$23.91
$10.93
EV Truck/SUV
109.3
1
$38.26
$17.49
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Slidell, LA
Afternoon
in Slidell on Wednesday
Local time
2:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:42PM CDT until June 3 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:35PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
Destination
Bastrop, LA
Afternoon
in Bastrop on Wednesday
Local time
2:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:42PM CDT until June 3 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:35PM CDT until June 1 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA
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 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 22m 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.
Poverty Point National Monument
National Monument
Now a nearly forgotten culture, Poverty Point at its peak 3,000 years ago was part of an enormous trading network that stretched for hundreds of miles across the continent. It was - and is - also an e...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 254.4
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 44% of this 273.3-mile drive is on highways. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North, covering 63.3 miles. The route transitions from highway segments to surface roads, offering a varied driving experience. Be prepared for periods of more rural cruising as you navigate through the state.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.3 mi on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 3rd Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 273.3 miles you will encounter 17 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: near the start (3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 190 Business / Fremaux Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 5.3 miles (I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Slidell is a small city in St. Tammany Parish, one of the Florida Parishes of Louisiana.
Named after the statesman, John Slidell, this town is a growing suburb of the New Orleans area. Since Hurricane Katrina, Slidell and its surrounding areas have seen a tremendous population surge.
Top landmarks
•Slidell — Amtrak rail station in Slidell, Louisiana, United States
Bastrop is the county seat of Bastrop County, Texas, and is located about 30 mi (48 km) east of Austin. Bastrop was settled by Europeans in 1804 and incorporated on December 18, 1837, with a 2020 population of 9688. It is known for its isolated belt of loblolly pines (the "Lost Pines") that exist miles to the west of the Piney Woods of East Texas and Louisiana; see Bastrop State Park below.
Top landmarks
•Morehouse Parish Courthouse — building in Bastrop, Louisiana, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 22m. Total distance: 273.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.3 miles on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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.
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 Bastrop, 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. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 190 Business / Fremaux Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 5.3 miles (I 12 / West Florida Republic Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Poverty Point National Monument 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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bastrop, LA before the return drive.
