Sunset, LA to Monroe, LA is 171.2 miles and takes about 3h 13m via Monroe Highway and US 165, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Louisiana, traversing roads that connect communities across the Southeast region. Expect a route with frequent turns, characteristic of local drives rather than a long interstate haul. Given its manageable distance and duration, this journey is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing ample time for your activities in Monroe.
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
85.6 miles from Sunset, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Monroe Highway
82.5 mi
1h 36m
Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
73.1 mi
1h 14m
US 165
6.1 mi
7m
US 167
4.8 mi
7m
I 20
1 mi
1m
Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
0.5 mi
<1m
Duffy Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Napoleon Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Monroe Highway
— 82.5 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sunset, LA and Monroe, LA.
1
Start on Anna Street
135 ft·11 sec·Anna Street
2
Turn left onto Landry Street
404 ft·22 sec·Landry Street
3
Turn right onto LA 93; LA 182
0.4 mi·37 sec·Napoleon Avenue
4
Turn left onto LA 93
0.4 mi·42 sec·Duffy Avenue
5
Continue on LA 93
0.2 mi·21 sec·State Highway 93
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 167 North: Opelousas
7
Merge onto I 49; US 167
73 mi·1 hr 14 min·Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway
8
Take the exit onto US 167
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
4.6 mi·6 min·US 167
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward US 165: Alexandria, MonroeUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
337 ft·8 sec
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
12
Merge onto US 165
83 mi·1 hr 36 min·Monroe Highway
13
Turn straight onto US 165
6.1 mi·7 min·US 165
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
16
Merge onto I 20
1.0 mi·1 min·I 20
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward US 165 BUS, LA 15: Civic Center
18
Keep slight right at fork
303 ft·7 sec
19
Turn straight onto US 165 Business; LA 15
0.5 mi·45 sec·Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
20
Continue on US 165 Business; LA 15
0.3 mi·35 sec·North 6th Street
21
Turn left onto US 80; US 165 Business; LA 15
0.1 mi·17 sec·Louisville Avenue
22
Turn left
45 ft·5 sec
23
Turn right
38 ft·2 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive duration of just over three hours, this route offers flexibility for departure times. You can leave in the morning and still have plenty of daylight upon arrival in Monroe. There's one recommended stop, so plan for a brief break to stretch your legs or refuel if needed, especially given the 82.5-mile longest stretch. Keep an eye on local traffic patterns as you pass through smaller towns. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the advantage of not needing to rush and can adjust your pace as needed.
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 85.6 miles from Sunset, LA, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 38 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.6 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 35m
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 Sunset, 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 Sunset, LA
This is one driving day of about 171.2 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Sunset, 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 Monroe Highway for about 82.5 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 79.5 — 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|Landry Street
Turn left onto Landry Street
Navigation decision point
5
74.5 mi into trip|~1h 17m in|US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pineville Expressway, Casson Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East, LA 1: Pinevill...
6
74.8 mi into trip|~1h 17m in|US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 North, LA 28 East: Pineville Expr...
7
79.4 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 165: Alexandria, Monroe
6
79.5 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 165 North: Monroe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 165 North: Monroe
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.86 one way
$51.71 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$28.38
$56.77
premium
$4.56
$30.73
$61.46
diesel
$5.61
$37.80
$75.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.4
0
$17.98
$8.22
Efficient EV
42.8
0
$14.98
$6.85
EV Truck/SUV
68.5
0
$23.97
$10.96
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Sunset, LA
Afternoon
in Sunset on Sunday
Local time
12:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Monroe, LA
Afternoon
in Monroe on Sunday
Local time
12:26 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
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
3h 13m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized by its turn-heavy local feel, with only a 7% share of the route on highways. You'll navigate through communities, experiencing the rhythm of state and local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 82.5 miles on Monroe Highway, offering a sustained period of driving before encountering more frequent changes in direction. Be prepared for a dynamic journey that requires attention to navigation as you transition between various roads like Charles I. "Doc" Hudson Highway and US 165.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.5 mi on Monroe Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Landry 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 18 significant decision points across 171.2 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 (Landry Street): Navigation decision point; at 74.5 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.8 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 171.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.5 miles on Monroe 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 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 (Landry Street): Navigation decision point; at 74.5 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.8 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Monroe, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
