Origin
Sterlington, LA
Late night in Sterlington on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sterlington, LA to Baton Rouge, LA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 56m
Distance
199.8 mi
322 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 44m
★
6 AM
3h 57m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 6m
12 PM
4h 3m
3 PM
4h 7m
5 PM
4h 21m
8 PM
3h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sterlington, LA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 199.8-mile drive from Sterlington to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, will take you approximately 3 hours and 56 minutes. It's a manageable trip that's well-suited for a single day, so no need to plan for an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost is around $30, offering a budget-friendly journey. Primarily utilizing Seargent Prentiss Drive, US 425, and I 20, this route provides a mixed driving experience as you travel within the Southeast region. It's a straightforward trip that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
99.9 miles from Sterlington, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Seargent Prentiss Drive | 79.3 mi | 1h 34m |
| US 425 | 76.2 mi | 1h 28m |
| I 20 | 19 mi | 20m |
| US 165 | 12.9 mi | 15m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| LA 2 | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Government Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Seargent Prentiss Drive
— 79.3 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterlington, LA and Baton Rouge, LA.
1
Start on Old Sterlington Road
115 ft
·
10 sec
·
Old Sterlington Road
2
Turn left onto LA 553
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Highway 2
3
At end of road, turn right onto LA 2
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
LA 2
4
Take the ramp
421 ft
·
11 sec
5
Merge onto US 165
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 165
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
7
Merge onto I 20
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 20
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
9
Turn right onto US 425
76 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
US 425
10
Keep slight right at fork
526 ft
·
14 sec
11
Merge onto US 61
79 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
Seargent Prentiss Drive
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 110 South: Baton Rouge
13
Continue on I 110
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 110
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 1A
Toward LA 73: Government Street, River Center, Downtown
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Turn right onto LA 73
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Government Street
17
Arrive at destination
Government Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip of under 4 hours, you have flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning is recommended to make the most of daylight and arrive in Baton Rouge with ample time. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically to coincide with your fuel needs or a chance to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 79.3-mile stretch on Seargent Prentiss Drive, as services might be less frequent compared to major interstates. The $30 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for peace of mind.
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 99.9 miles from Sterlington, LA, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.3 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 44 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.9 miles or 1h 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 3h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baton Rouge, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sterlington, 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 Sterlington, LA
This is one driving day of about 199.8 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Sterlington, 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 Seargent Prentiss Drive for about 79.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 99.9 miles from Sterlington, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Seargent Prentiss Drive if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.3 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 199.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
LA 553 / Old Highway 2
Turn left onto LA 553 / Old Highway 2
Navigation decision point
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
LA 2
At end of road, turn right onto LA 2
Navigation decision point
5
34.8 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the exit toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 425: Rayville, Archibald
4
35.1 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
US 425
Turn right onto US 425
Navigation decision point
8
199.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m in
Take the exit toward LA 73: Government Street, River Center, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward LA 73: Government Street, River Center,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.17 one way
$60.35 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $33.12 | $66.25 |
| premium | $4.56 | $35.86 | $71.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.11 | $88.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.9 | 0 | $20.98 | $9.59 |
| Efficient EV | 50 | 0 | $17.48 | $7.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.9 | 0 | $27.97 | $12.79 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
Baton Rouge, LA
Late night in Baton Rouge on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
0% chance
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 56m 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.
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
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 34.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is predominantly highway, with 59% of the journey on faster roads like I 20 and US 425. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 79.3 miles on Seargent Prentiss Drive, which offers a different pace before merging into more typical highway driving. Expect a mixed profile, meaning you'll transition between different types of roads, so be prepared for variations in speed and scenery. This blend of highway and local road driving keeps the journey from becoming monotonous.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.3 mi on Seargent Prentiss Drive.
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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near LA 553 / Old Highway 2.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 199.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 (LA 553 / Old Highway 2): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (LA 2): Navigation decision point; at 34.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Sterlington, LA to Baton Rouge, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Archibald along the way.
Archibald
34.8 mi in
|
~40m
About the Cities
Arriving in Baton Rouge, LA
Full guide →Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana, USA. Located on the east bank of the mighty Mississippi River, Baton Rouge is Louisiana's second largest city, home of Louisiana State University, major port facilities, and a variety of attractions.
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 3h 56m. Total distance: 199.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.3 miles on Seargent Prentiss Drive. 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 Baton Rouge, 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 (LA 553 / Old Highway 2): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (LA 2): Navigation decision point; at 34.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Poverty Point National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Baton Rouge, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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