If you are planning a trip from Sulphur to Monroe, expect a 201.8-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 8 minutes behind the wheel. This route stays entirely within Louisiana, connecting the southeast region of the state through a straightforward highway-focused drive. Given the manageable duration, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $31 for fuel to cover the distance. This route is an efficient way to transit between these two cities, offering a practical path for travelers who prefer a direct driving experience.
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
100.9 miles from Sulphur, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 165
107.3 mi
2h 10m
Monroe Highway
62.5 mi
1h 13m
US 90
17.3 mi
20m
East Napoleon Street
6 mi
9m
Macarthur Drive
4.6 mi
7m
I 20
1 mi
1m
Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
0.6 mi
<1m
Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 165
— 107.3 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sulphur, LA and Monroe, LA.
1
Start on US 90
6.0 mi·9 min·East Napoleon Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Take the ramp onto US 90
17 mi·20 min·US 90
3
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward US 165: Kinder, Alexandria
4
Keep slight left at fork
444 ft·11 sec
5
Continue on US 165
78 mi·1 hr 36 min·US 165
6
Turn slight left onto Macarthur Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Macarthur Drive
7
Turn right
104 ft·6 sec
8
Turn left onto US 71; US 165
4.0 mi·6 min·Macarthur Drive
9
Continue on US 71; US 165
0.6 mi·43 sec·Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge
10
Continue on US 71; US 165
62 mi·1 hr 13 min·Monroe Highway
11
Continue on US 165; LA 4
23 mi·26 min·US 165; LA 4
12
Turn straight onto US 165
6.1 mi·7 min·US 165
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
15
Merge onto I 20
1.0 mi·1 min·I 20
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
17
Keep slight right at fork
303 ft·7 sec
18
Turn straight onto US 165 Business; LA 15
0.5 mi·45 sec·Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
19
Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15
0.3 mi·35 sec·North 6th Street
20
Turn left onto US 80; US 165 Business; LA 15
0.1 mi·17 sec·Louisville Avenue
21
Turn left
45 ft·5 sec
22
Turn right
38 ft·2 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a one-day trip with a moderate duration, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 4-hour and 8-minute drive and keep your focus sharp. Since the longest stretch covers over 100 miles, ensure your fuel tank is topped off before starting that portion of US 165 to avoid any unnecessary anxiety. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $31 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and current local prices. Staying aware of your stop timing will help ensure a comfortable arrival in Monroe.
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 100.9 miles from Sulphur, LA, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.3 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 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.9 miles or 2h 5m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monroe, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sulphur, 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 Sulphur, LA
This is one driving day of about 201.8 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Sulphur, 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 US 165 for about 107.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 200.8 — 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|US 90 / East Napoleon Street
Depart onto US 90 / East Napoleon Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
23.4 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward US 165: Kinder, Alexandria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 165: Kinder, Alexandria
4
23.8 mi into trip|~30m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
200.6 mi into trip|~4h 6m in
Take the exit toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
5
200.8 mi into trip|~4h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.48 one way
$60.95 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$33.46
$66.91
premium
$4.56
$36.22
$72.44
diesel
$5.61
$44.55
$89.11
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: 70.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.5
0
$21.19
$9.69
Efficient EV
50.5
0
$17.66
$8.07
EV Truck/SUV
80.7
1
$28.25
$12.92
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Sulphur, LA
Late night
in Sulphur on Tuesday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Monroe, LA
Late night
in Monroe on Tuesday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
S 5 to 15 mph1% chanceLive 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
9 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
4h 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mix of road types, as this route is comprised of 62% highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 165, US 90, and the Monroe Highway as you navigate north. The most notable segment of the journey is the longest uninterrupted stretch, which spans 107.3 miles on US 165. While the drive shifts between fast highway sections and local highway stretches, the overall character remains functional and steady. You can anticipate a consistent driving pace as you transition through the landscape, making for a predictable experience on the road.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.3 mi on US 165.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 165 and Monroe Highway. 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 US 90 / East Napoleon 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 201.8 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 (US 90 / East Napoleon Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Sulphur, LA to Monroe, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Alexandria along the way.
Monroe is the third-largest city in Northern Louisiana, largest city in Northeast Louisiana, and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish. It is also home to the University of Louisiana at Monroe and their sports team, the ULM Warhawks.
Founded as Fort Miro, it took on the name of Monroe after the paddle-wheeler James Monroe that came to town in the early 19th century, and, by extrapolation, the former president James Monroe. An interesting bit of trivia is that Monroe was once the headquarters of Delta Airlines, which got its start as the crop dusting operation Delta Dusters in nearby Tallulah.
Slathered down with highly religious views and the effects of years of racial inequality, Monroe can have a rather gritty appearance imbued with a fragrant aroma from its paper mill, but, well, take heart, Wikivoyage traveler.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 201.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.3 miles on US 165. 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 Monroe, 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 (US 90 / East Napoleon Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Monroe, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
