Terrytown, LA to DeRidder, LA is 251.7 miles and takes about 4h 48m via I 10 and Highway 171, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Louisiana, starting in the Southeast region and concluding in the same area. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of this trip, making it a straightforward option if you're looking for efficient travel between these two points. It's a single-day trip with a manageable duration, ideal for those who prefer to cover ground without needing an overnight stop.
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
125.9 miles from Terrytown, LA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
122.5 mi
2h 15m
Pontchartrain Expressway
80.6 mi
1h 32m
Highway 171
37.5 mi
43m
Martin Luther King Highway
4.5 mi
7m
East 1st Street
1.5 mi
1m
Westbank Expressway
1.4 mi
2m
Mahlon Street
0.9 mi
1m
Terry Parkway
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 122.5 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Terrytown, LA and DeRidder, LA.
1
Start on Cedarwood Avenue
418 ft·16 sec·Cedarwood Avenue
2
Turn right onto Heritage Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Heritage Avenue
3
Turn left onto Terry Parkway
0.8 mi·1 min·Terry Parkway
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward US 90 Business East: New Orleans
5
Merge onto US 90 BUS
1.4 mi·2 min·Westbank Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Continue on US 90 BUS
0.6 mi·57 sec·Crescent City Connection
7
Continue on US 90 BUS
81 mi·1 hr 32 min·Pontchartrain Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
122 mi·2 hr 15 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 171: DeRidder, Shreveport
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 171 North: DeRidder, Shreveport
11
Merge onto US 171
4.5 mi·7 min·Martin Luther King Highway
12
Continue on US 171
38 mi·43 min·Highway 171
13
Continue on US 171; US 190
1.5 mi·1 min·East 1st Street
14
Continue on US 171; US 190
0.9 mi·1 min·Mahlon Street
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 171; US 190
0.2 mi·23 sec·Shirley Street
16
Turn left onto US 171
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Pine Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
LA 27
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 48-minute estimated drive time, leaving Terrytown in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan for a break around the halfway point or when you feel the need. The fuel cost is estimated at $37, so ensure your tank is full before you depart, especially since 96% of the route is on highways where services can sometimes be spaced out. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach DeRidder, particularly after the 122.5-mile stretch on I 10.
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 125.9 miles from Terrytown, LA, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.5 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 55 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.9 miles or 2h 24m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near DeRidder, LA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Terrytown, 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 Terrytown, LA
This is one driving day of about 251.7 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Terrytown, 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 122.5 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 251.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Heritage Avenue
Turn right onto Heritage Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|US 90 BUS / Westbank Expressway
Merge onto US 90 BUS / Westbank Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
84.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
206.8 mi into trip|~3h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 171 North: DeRidder, Shreveport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 171 North: DeRidder, Shreveport
7
251.6 mi into trip|~4h 48m in|US 171 / North Pine Street
Turn left onto US 171 / North Pine Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.53 one way
$77.06 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$42.67
$85.34
premium
$4.65
$46.07
$92.14
diesel
$6.28
$62.19
$124.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.5
0
$26.43
$12.08
Efficient EV
62.9
0
$22.02
$10.07
EV Truck/SUV
100.7
1
$35.24
$16.11
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Terrytown, LA
Morning
in Terrytown on Saturday
Local time
6:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
DeRidder, LA
Morning
in DeRidder on Saturday
Local time
6:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Sunny
E 5 mph0% 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
4 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 48m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is largely on the highway, with 96% of the drive taking place on major roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 122.5 miles on I 10 before transitioning to Highway 171. This means you'll encounter a significant amount of high-speed cruising with fewer interruptions. The shift from interstate to a state highway will likely involve a noticeable change in speed and exit density.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.5 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Pontchartrain Expressway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Heritage Avenue.
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 251.7 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 0.1 miles (Heritage Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (US 90 BUS / Westbank Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.1 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
202 ft-6 ft
Total Climb
232 ft
Total Descent
25 ft
Highest Point
202 ft
~251.7 mi in
Elevation Range
208 ft
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 Terrytown, LA to DeRidder, LA, road signs begin pointing toward Shreveport along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 251.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.5 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.
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 DeRidder, 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. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Heritage Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (US 90 BUS / Westbank Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.1 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at DeRidder, LA, but most travelers stay overnight.
