Trip from Sulphur, LA to New Orleans, LA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 5m

Distance

214.5 mi

345 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 52m ★

6 AM

4h 5m

8 AM

4h 31m

10 AM

4h 14m

12 PM

4h 12m

3 PM

4h 16m

5 PM

4h 30m

8 PM

3h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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suburb city of Lake Charles, located in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States

Sulphur, LA

Wikimedia Commons

New Orleans, LA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 214.7-mile journey from Sulphur, Louisiana, to New Orleans, Louisiana, is a straightforward day trip, taking an estimated 3 hours and 20 minutes. With a fuel cost around $33, it's an economical option for exploring more of the Southeast region. The drive primarily utilizes local roads, including Pontchartrain Expressway, Poydras Street, and South Claiborne Avenue, indicating a more urban and turn-heavy experience rather than a highway cruise. Given its relatively short duration and the nature of the route, it's best tackled in a single day, allowing you to maximize your time in New Orleans.

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

107.2 miles from Sulphur, LA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	185.4 mi	3h 27m
US 90	18.6 mi	21m
East Napoleon Street	6 mi	9m
Pontchartrain Expressway	3.5 mi	4m
Tulane Avenue	0.3 mi	<1m
South Claiborne Avenue	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 185.4 mi, about 3h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sulphur, LA and New Orleans, LA.

Start on US 90

6.0 mi · 9 min · East Napoleon Street

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp onto US 90

19 mi · 21 min · US 90

Continue on I 10

185 mi · 3 hr 27 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

3.5 mi · 4 min · Pontchartrain Expressway

Toward New Orleans, Business District Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

0.5 mi · 36 sec · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Exit 234B Toward Poydras Street, Superdome Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Turn left onto South Claiborne Avenue

0.3 mi · 40 sec · South Claiborne Avenue

Turn right onto Tulane Avenue

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Tulane Avenue

Arrive at destination

Tulane Avenue

Trip Plan

For this relatively short 3-hour and 20-minute drive, you have the flexibility to leave Sulphur at your leisure. However, aiming to depart in the morning will help you beat potential New Orleans traffic as you approach your destination. Plan for one main stop along the way to stretch your legs or refuel, though with a fuel cost of only $33, you might find you don't need to stop too often. The turn-heavy nature of this 214.7-mile route means paying close attention to navigation, especially as you enter the city. Use your GPS diligently, as street names can change and the urban layout requires constant awareness.

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 107.2 miles from Sulphur, LA, or about 2h 3m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.4 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 47 miles or 56m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 107.2 miles or 2h 3m 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 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Orleans, 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 214.5 miles and 4h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 I 10 for about 185.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lafayette, LA

107 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

Iota, LA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lafayette, LA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 107.2 miles from Sulphur, LA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 185.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Pluck Wine Bar & Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New Orleans, Louisiana

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 3 pm–12 am

+15042339780

Visit website

Plates Restaurant & Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New Orleans, Louisiana

1 mi

Dooky Chase Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New Orleans, Louisiana

1 mi

Pluck Wine Bar & Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: 3 pm–12 am

+15042339780

Visit website

Plates Restaurant & Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: 4–9 pm

+15045829020

Visit website

Dooky Chase Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15048210600

Visit website

City Pork Jefferson

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+12256158880

Visit website

Please-U-Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+15045259131

Visit website

Parrain's Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12253819922

Visit website

Cork's Cajun Fried Fish & Shrimp

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+12254789128

Visit website

Parasol's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+15043549079

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Scott, Louisiana

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route

New Orleans, LA

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

New Orleans, LA

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+15044906263

Visit website

Museum of Death New Orleans

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15045933968

Visit website

French Quarter Visitor Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: 9:30 am–4:30 pm

+15045893882

Visit website

The National WWII Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15045281944

Visit website

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

New Orleans, Louisiana

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+18559688687

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 6

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 213.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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.

209.6 mi into trip | ~3h 58m in | I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway toward New Orleans, Business District

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward New Orleans, Business District

213.1 mi into trip | ~4h 2m in | I 10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

213.6 mi into trip | ~4h 3m in

Take the exit toward Poydras Street, Superdome

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 234B Toward Poydras Street, Superdome

213.9 mi into trip | ~4h 3m in | South Claiborne Avenue

Turn left onto South Claiborne Avenue

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.78 one way

$59.55 round trip

$3.53/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.95	$33.32	$66.63
premium	$4.29	$36.22	$72.44
diesel	$4.80	$40.50	$81.00

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: 75 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	64.4	0	$22.52	$10.30
Efficient EV	53.6	0	$18.77	$8.58
EV Truck/SUV	85.8	1	$30.03	$13.73

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 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.

Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Sulphur, LA

Late night in Sulphur on Sunday

Local time

5:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Partly Cloudy

SW 5 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:12AM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:11AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS New Orleans LA

Destination

New Orleans, LA

Late night in New Orleans on Sunday

Local time

5:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Mostly Clear

NW 5 to 10 mph 7% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:12AM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:11AM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM 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

6 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 5m 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.

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 214.5

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 turn-heavy local drive for this 214.7-mile trip. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating city streets for the majority of the 3 hours and 20 minutes. The route involves frequent intersections and changes in direction, so keep your attention focused. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the profile suggests you'll be in constant motion through populated areas. This isn't a route for setting cruise control; it's more about engaging with the local infrastructure as you make your way.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 185.4 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US 90. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 90 / East Napoleon Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 5m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 90 / East Napoleon Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 209.6 miles (I 10 / Pontchartrain Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.1 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

39 ft -1 ft

Total Climb

53 ft

Total Descent

69 ft

Highest Point

39 ft

~76.6 mi in

Elevation Range

40 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Sulphur, LA

Full guide →

Sulphur is in Southwest Louisiana.

Arriving in New Orleans, LA

Full guide →

“Crescent City” · Founded 1718

Way down yonder in New Orleans (French: La Nouvelle-Orléans), you'll find the roots of jazz and a blossoming culture that is unlike anything else on Earth. Here, the laid-back atmosphere of the riverfront South has mixed with French sophistication, Spanish style, and African-American energy to create something greater than the sum of its parts. "NOLA" is the largest city in Louisiana and one of the top tourist destinations in the United States. "Laissez les bons temps rouler" is what they say here in the Big Easy, and you too can "let the good times roll" with a cool stroll down Bourbon Street, a hot Dixieland band, and even hotter Creole cuisine. Mardi Gras may be the city's calling card, but that's just one day out of the hot and muggy year in New Orleans. Go ahead, take a riverboat down the Mississippi, munch on some beignets, and watch the Saints go marchin' in.

Top landmarks

• Tulane University of Louisiana — private research university in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
• Caesars Superdome — domed stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
• French Quarter — neighborhood of and historic district in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

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 4h 5m. Total distance: 214.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 185.4 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 18 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at New Orleans, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Sulphur, LA or browse trips ending in New Orleans, LA.

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Trip from Sulphur, LA to New Orleans, LA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Pluck Wine Bar & Restaurant

Pluck Wine Bar & Restaurant

Plates Restaurant & Bar

Dooky Chase Restaurant

City Pork Jefferson

Please-U-Restaurant

Parrain's Seafood Restaurant

Cork's Cajun Fried Fish & Shrimp

Parasol's

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Rivian Adventure Network

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Pilot Travel Center

Butte La Rose Rest Area and Tourist Information Center

Butte La Rose Rest Area and Tourist Information Center

Rest Area

Service Plaza

Petro Stopping Centers

Love's Travel Stop

TA Express

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

415 South Truck Stop

La1 Truck Stop

TA Express

New Orleans Pharmacy Museum

Museum of Death New Orleans

French Quarter Visitor Center

The National WWII Museum

Marie Laveau's House Of Voodoo

The Cabildo Museum

Frasch Park - Sulphur Parks & Recreation

New Orleans Native Tours llc

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Sulphur, LA

New Orleans, LA

Same local time

6 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 5m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Sulphur, LA

Arriving in New Orleans, LA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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