Traveling from Slidell to Claiborne covers 271.1 miles, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 8 minutes of drive time. Because this route stays within the Southeast region of Louisiana, you will experience a consistent regional atmosphere from start to finish. It is manageable as a single-day trip if you are comfortable with a full day behind the wheel, though you should budget approximately $41 for fuel. Since the trip involves a mix of road types, planning for at least one stop will help keep you fresh. Ultimately, this drive is a straightforward, practical way to traverse the state, provided you account for the time spent on both major boulevards and quieter stretches.
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
135.5 miles from Slidell, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
63.2 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
I 20
25.5 mi
28m
Gause Boulevard West
3 mi
4m
Northshore Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
E. E. Wallace Boulevard North
— 63.2 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Slidell, LA and Claiborne, 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
Turn left
0.3 mi·35 sec
20
Merge onto I 20
25 mi·28 min·I 20
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
22
Keep slight left at fork
234 ft·5 sec
23
Enter roundabout onto LA 3246
39 ft·0 sec·Well Road
24
Continue on LA 3246
0.2 mi·22 sec·Well Road
25
Arrive at destination
Wallace Dean Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 271.1-mile trek, aim for an early departure to ensure you reach Claiborne before nightfall. Since the route requires roughly 5 hours of seat time, plan your single designated stop strategically to break up the longest stretches of the drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $41 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local station prices. Since the trip is a single-day commitment, maintain flexibility in your schedule to account for potential traffic on the highway portions of the route. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to prioritize your rest break during the transition between the major highway segments to maximize your comfort.
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 135.5 miles from Slidell, LA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.2 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 135.5 miles or 2h 31m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Claiborne, 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 271.1 miles and 5h 8m.
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 63.2 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 19
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
$40.94 one way
$81.89 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$44.94
$89.89
premium
$4.56
$48.66
$97.32
diesel
$5.61
$59.86
$119.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.3
1
$28.47
$13.01
Efficient EV
67.8
0
$23.72
$10.84
EV Truck/SUV
108.4
1
$37.95
$17.35
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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 Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Slidell, LA
Night
in Slidell on Saturday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Claiborne, LA
Night
in Claiborne on Saturday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°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
5 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
5h 8m 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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 243
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?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing regional highways with a significant 53% highway share. You will navigate several key thoroughfares, including E. E. Wallace Boulevard North, Congressman Jimmy Morrison Highway, and US 84. Expect variety in your pace, as the road transitions between faster, high-capacity stretches and more localized driving conditions. Your longest uninterrupted segment occurs on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North, which spans 63.2 miles and requires steady focus. By blending these different road types, the route keeps you engaged while moving you efficiently toward your destination.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.2 mi on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 3rd Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 271.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
250 ft5 ft
Total Climb
246 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
250 ft
~77.4 mi in
Elevation Range
246 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 8m. Total distance: 271.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.2 miles on E. E. Wallace Boulevard North. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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 Claiborne, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Claiborne, LA before the return drive.
