Origin
South Vacherie, LA
Morning in South Vacherie on Sunday
Local time
10:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Vacherie, LA to Shreveport, LA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 35m
Distance
299.6 mi
482 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 23m
★
6 AM
5h 36m
8 AM
6h 2m
10 AM
5h 45m
12 PM
5h 42m
3 PM
5h 46m
5 PM
6h 1m
8 PM
5h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Vacherie, LA
Oleksandr Plakhota
Shreveport, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 299.6-mile drive from South Vacherie to Shreveport, Louisiana, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 5 hours and 35 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of highways, with 32% being on major interstates, making for a predominantly efficient journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $45 and only one recommended stop, this route is manageable for a single day. The drive traverses the Southeast region of Louisiana, offering a straightforward path across the state. It's a practical option if you're looking to cover ground without needing an overnight stay.
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
149.8 miles from South Vacherie, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway | 186.3 mi | 3h 10m |
| State Route 1 | 49 mi | 1h 2m |
| I 10 | 35.4 mi | 39m |
| West Airline Highway | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| LA 3213 | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| North Lobdell Highway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| LA 3127 | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| LA 20 | 2.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
— 186.3 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Vacherie, LA and Shreveport, LA.
1
Start on Fern Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Fern Street
2
Turn left onto LA 643
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
LA 643
3
Turn slight right onto LA 643
267 ft
·
7 sec
·
LA 643
4
Turn straight onto LA 20
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
LA 20
5
Turn right onto LA 3127
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
LA 3127
6
Turn left onto LA 3213
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
LA 3213
7
Turn left onto US 61
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
West Airline Highway
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 10 West: Baton Rouge
9
Merge onto I 10
31 mi
·
34 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
317 ft
·
7 sec
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto LA 415
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North Lobdell Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Merge onto US 190; LA 1
49 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
State Route 1
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Alexandria
16
Merge onto I 49; US 167
186 mi
·
3 hr 10 min
·
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
18
Continue on Pete Harris Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pete Harris Drive
19
Turn right onto LA 173
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Caddo Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
21
Turn slight right onto River Parkway
68 ft
·
1 sec
·
River Parkway
22
Arrive at destination
River Parkway
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 35-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from South Vacherie to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. The estimated fuel cost of $45 is helpful for budgeting, and with only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 186.3-mile stretch on the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway, as services might be less frequent. This single-day route allows for flexibility, but planning your fuel and a brief rest stop in advance will ensure a smooth journey to Shreveport.
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 149.8 miles from South Vacherie, LA, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.3 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 66 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.8 miles or 2h 59m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shreveport, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Vacherie, 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 South Vacherie, LA
This is one driving day of about 299.6 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from South Vacherie, 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 Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway for about 186.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
150 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 149.8 miles from South Vacherie, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 21.6 and 296.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
21.6 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
53.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
57 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward LA 415: Lobdell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 151
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
7
57.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward LA 415: Lobdell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward LA 415: Lobdell
6
296.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Pete Harris Drive, Murphy Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.25 one way
$90.49 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
105 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $49.67 | $99.34 |
| premium | $4.56 | $53.77 | $107.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.15 | $132.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.9 | 1 | $31.46 | $14.38 |
| Efficient EV | 74.9 | 0 | $26.22 | $11.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119.8 | 1 | $41.94 | $19.17 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Destination
Shreveport, LA
Morning in Shreveport on Sunday
Local time
10:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Broussard, LA
150 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
21 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 35m 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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 217
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, balancing interstate speeds with state highway cruising. While 32% of the journey utilizes major highways for efficiency, you'll also spend time on roads like the Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. This highway accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 186.3 miles, suggesting a significant portion of your drive will be on this particular route. The character of the drive evolves as you move from the southern part of the state northward, shifting between faster highway segments and potentially more varied local road conditions.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.3 mi on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 around 21.6 miles in near I 10.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 299.6 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: at 21.6 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.1 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in South Vacherie, LA
Full guide →Vacherie and nearby Wallace are small communities in the Acadiana region of Louisiana.
Arriving in Shreveport, LA
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 299.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.3 miles on Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway. 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 Shreveport, 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: at 21.6 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.1 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cane River Creole National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Shreveport, LA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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